Last chance for 3-year Anonymizer VPN, $55
There are plenty of reasons for one to want to keep their internet connection private. It’s possible that you have a dose of distrust for your government and want to ensure your sense of …
23
Mar
Cyanogen receives $80 million in funding from Qualcomm, Twitter, and others
Cyanogen is scaling up in a big way. The company led by Steve Kondik and Kirt McMaster announced it secured funding totaling $80 million from a group of investors including Twitter Ventures, Qualcomm, and Rupert Murdoch.
This series C round of funding brings the total investment that Cyanogen received so far to $110 million. The startup has not revealed its current valuation.
Twitter Ventures, Qualcomm Incorporated, Telefónica Ventures, Smartfren Telecom, Index Ventures, Access Industries, Rupert Murdoch, Vivi Nevo are among the investors, along “several” other partners that Cyanogen hasn’t disclosed.
Breaking from Google
Cyanogen said it would use the money to “hire talent and accelerate the development of its open OS platform.”
Conspicuously absent from the list is Microsoft, which reportedly showed interest in becoming a minority investor in Cyanogen, but ultimately backed out of the deal. Also, the funding round announced today is smaller than the $110 million figure reported by Bloomberg last week. According to Bloomberg, Microsoft may still strike a “commercial deal” with Cyanogen to pre-load its mobile apps on Cyanogen OS devices.
“Ecosystem Rallies behind Cyanogen’s Open OS Vision,” proclaims the press release announcing the new round, and while that may sound hyperbolic, it’s interesting to note that Cyanogen managed to draw the interest of a varied group of companies, including an Internet heavyweight (Twitter), a major mobile hardware player (Qualcomm), and a major international carrier (Telefonica), in addition to a slew of venture capitalists. That bodes well for a company whose stated goal is to replace Google services with apps and service developed by partners. It remains to be seen whether or not the interest shown by investors will ever materialize into such partnerships.
Twitter Ventures is perhaps the most surprising name on the list. While earlier reports claimed large players like Samsung, Yahoo, Amazon, and Microsoft expressed interest in Cyanogen, it’s the first time we hear about Twitter joining in the fun.
Cyanogen Raises $80 Million in Series C Funding
Cyanogen Raises $80 Million in Series C Funding
Ecosystem Rallies behind Cyanogen’s Open OS Vision
Palo Alto, CA. — March 23, 2014 — Cyanogen Inc., a leading mobile operating system pure-play, announced the completion of an $80 million round of Series C financing. With offices in Palo Alto and Seattle, the company will leverage the infusion of new funding to hire talent and accelerate the development of its open OS platform.
The financing was led by Premji Invest and includes participation from new strategic investors Twitter Ventures, Qualcomm Incorporated, Telefónica Ventures, Smartfren Telecom, Index Ventures, Access Industries (the US-based industrial group headed by Len Blavatnik), Rupert Murdoch, Vivi Nevo, and several yet to be announced partners. Existing investors Benchmark, Andreessen Horowitz, Redpoint Ventures, and Tencent Holdings Ltd. also participated.
“We’re committed to creating an open computing platform that fundamentally empowers the entire mobile ecosystem from developers to hardware makers, and most importantly, consumers around the world,” said Kirt McMaster, CEO of Cyanogen Inc. “We’re excited to have the backing of an amazingly diverse group of strategic investors who are supporting us in building a truly open Android.”
“We invested in Cyanogen because we’re big proponents of what they’re doing in opening up Android and supporting global and local ecosystem players,” said Sandesh Patnam, Technology Sector Lead of Premji Invest. “Cyanogen is well positioned to become the 3rd leading mobile OS, and we’re excited to back them in growing their business on a global scale.”
To date, Cyanogen has received a total of $110 million in funding. Cyanogen is known for both its commercial distribution, Cyanogen OS, and open-source project CyanogenMod.
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About Cyanogen Inc.
Cyanogen is reimagining mobile computing, giving power to the people to customize their mobile device and content experiences. The CYANOGEN® operating system is built on Android and known for its revolutionary personalization features, intuitive interface, speed, improved battery life, and enhanced security. With a rapidly growing global user base and a vibrant community of developers, we’re intelligently connecting smartphone and tablet consumers to people, apps, and things they love. For more information, visit Cyanogen’s website, Google+, Twitter, and Facebook.
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23
Mar
SolidEnergy’s battery claims twice the energy density of traditional li-ion, coming 2016
Smartphone specifications are better than ever, but battery technology has remained stagnant for years. Fortunately, engineers share our complaints and SolidEnergy, another start-up to come out of MIT, is boasting a new battery design that will hopefully lengthen our smartphone usage times. The technology promises twice the energy density of today’s traditional lithium-ion batteries.
SolidEnergy’s new technology works by replacing the battery’s conventional graphite anode material with an ultra-thin sheet of lithium copper metal foil. The benefit here is that this greatly reduces the size of the battery for the same capacity, allowing the saved space to be used for extra capacity.
The use of lithium-metal electrodes in batteries has been the subject of research for many years, but there have previously been some technical barriers to their viability. Typically, lithium metal can react with battery electrolytes, which over time prevents current from flowing and leads to battery capacity degradation. The reaction also creates dendrites, which can short circuit the battery and ignite the flammable electrolyte.
To overcome these rather major problems, SolidEnergy uses both regular liquid and less reactive solid electrolytes, allowing for suitable conduction without the problematic reactions. A very thin layer of solid electrolyte is applied to the lithium metal foil in the anode, which is thin enough to avoid the lack of conduction usually associate with a thick solid layer while avoiding the short circuit issues of using lithium metals. The video below explains this different approach.
This new technology isn’t only about saving space, SolidEnergy has also successfully demonstrated superior capacity retention over successive charge cycles than competing advanced Li-ion technology. Over 100 recharge cycles, SolidEnergy’s battery retained 80 percent of its original energy storage capacity, meaning that non-replaceable batteries won’t be such a problem in the future.
The first commercial battery using this technology is scheduled to arrive for smartphones and tablets in 2016, with larger batteries for the electric automotive industry to follow.
23
Mar
11 best Android apps for stylus users and S Pen users
The stylus has been a tool of the handheld computer users for decades now and are arguably more useful on a smartphone and tablet than ever before. There are a lot of apps that take advantage of the stylus and some even come with built in functionality for Samsung’s S Pen. In this roundup, we’ll look at the best Android apps for stylus users and S Pen users.
AutoDesk SketchBook Express, Sketchbook, AutoCAD 360, and AutoCAD 360
[Price: Free / Free with in-app purchases]
AutoDesk is a very well known name in the world of graphics and many of their apps are world renown. The Sketchbook and AutoCAD series of apps are both very useful and powerful applications for designers and artists. They include advanced tools, professional level appeal, and even some fun quirky features. For instance, AutoCAD 360 lets you orient yourself around your drawing using your GPS. These are must have apps for many stylus users.
Character Maker
[Price: $3.68]
Character Maker is a drawing app that helps you learn how to draw people and also helps you draw people. This isn’t so handy for the professional animator but those learning how this stuff works or those wanting to learn can find a wealth of information and experience here. You can create your own characters fairly easily and they look pretty good at the end.
ezPDF Reader Multimedia PDF
[Price: $3.99]
ezPDF is a great application for those who frequently deal with PDF files. One of the more difficult tasks is finding a way to digitally sign a PDF and this app helps with things like that. As you can imagine, your signature will look much better when a stylus is used and they also make navigation much easier. It’s a solid app and a must have for those who use or deal with PDFs a lot.
How to Draw – Easy Lessons
[Price: Free]
This totally free drawing tutorial app helps you learn how to draw. This is great for budding young artists looking to learn or even for those who are bored and want to add a new skill to their list. The tutorials are admittedly not ridiculously deep so you won’t be transformed into a famous painter but it has excellent stylus support, plenty of tutorials, and also plenty of stencils.
LectureNotes
[Price: Free / $3.78]
LectureNotes was once, is currently, and likely always will be the hallmark of a great stylus app. It offers a bunch of features including image importing, stylus support, notebook export (for sharing) to your device, Evernote, and OneNote, advanced organization features, and more. If you install LectureVideos and LectureRecordings, you can also insert video and audio recordings into your notebooks right alongside your notes. It’s extremely powerful and popular. Most stylus owners should have this, especially if you’re a student.
The MyScript Collection
[Price: Free]
The MyScript Collection consists of MyScript Calculator, MyScript Stylus, and MyScript Smart Notes. All three of these apps are amazing for stylus users because they’re built specifically for stylus use. MyScript Calculator is especially unique as it allows you to write out mathematical equations which it will then solve for you. They’re all free and great options for stylus users.
Papyrus
[Price: Free with in app purchases]
Papyrus is a unique application that attempts to emulate real paper for your to draw on or take notes with. It includes a unique “write with your pen, erase with your finger” functionality that is admittedly enjoyable to use. You can export notes and drawings to various file types, and it even supports Samsung Multi-Window. If you go pro, you get PDF support, cloud services, and additional tools.
RoughAnimator
[Price: $2.99]
RoughAnimator is a favorite here at Android Authority. It’s an animation app that allows you to draw multiple pictures then put them together as short animations. It includes most of the basic tools you’ll need to draw your own little cartoons. Other features include unlimited layers (so you can make animations as long as you want), onion skinning, import audio (for music or lip syncing), and framerate control. It’s a great app with a high rating and perfect for any fan of animating.
SignEasy
[Price: Free with in app purchases]
SignEasy is another PDF viewer that focuses on features that let you sign documents. The app can also important documents from almost anywhere (including most cloud storage platforms) and it can support various file formats such as Word, Excel, HTML, JPEG, and others. It’s a simple app but it can solve a lot of problems. If you go pro, you’ll get additional features and you’ll be able to remove the email footer message that advertises the app.
Skitch
[Price: Free with in app purchases]
Skitch takes an old school premise and brings it into the 21st century. With it, you can take a picture of just about anything and then doodle on it. This includes fun little cartoons, annotating photos, diagrams, and other stuff, and even marking up maps to show people how to get places. It’s a simple app but you can use it for a wide variety of use cases and it even comes with PDF support. If it helps at all, it was also developed by the same great minds that brought us Evernote.
Write
[Price: Free]
Last on our list (for now) is Write. This app is much like Papyrus in that it lets you write as though you were writing on actual paper. This is a pre-loaded app on the NVIDIA Shield Tablet specifically for its tablet and it’s compatible with most devices. You can draw, write, and erase pretty much whatever you want, customize your pens, page size, color, and ruling, and a lot more. It’s totally free to use which is also a plus.
Wrap up
If we missed any great Android apps for stylus users and S Pen users, let us know in the comments!
To see our complete list of Android apps and games lists, click here!
1
23
Mar
The Nexus 9 is $100 off at Best Buy — but hurry!
You can snag a Nexus 9 from Best Buy for as low as $299 through 4 p.m. EDT today. The 32GB model is just $379. That’s not a bad price at all. Hurry! This one’s over at 4 p.m. EDT.
23
Mar
Here’s how a lithium-ion battery degrades over time
Use a gadget with a lithium-ion battery inside and you’ll eventually learn that these power packs decay once you’ve cycled them enough times. But have you ever wanted to see direct evidence of why they have a limited lifespan? The Department of Energy is happy to oblige. It developed a special device that, when placed inside an electron microscope, lets it take nanoscale pictures of lithium-ion cells as they drain and charge. As you can see above, lithium (the black fluff in these photos) temporarily deposits on electrodes during each cycle, but doesn’t completely dissolve. The more you use a battery, the more permanent deposits you get and the less capacity you have.
The extreme close-ups aren’t just for show. Researchers want to use this nano-sized microscopy to determine whether or not new battery technology works as planned — they can experiment with new electrodes and electrolytes to see what lasts longer or runs safely. If your next phone lasts a year or two longer before its energy source conks out, you’ll know who to thank.
Filed under: Science
Source: Nano Letters
23
Mar
China’s tech giants are getting into the autonomous car business
Google and Tesla are squaring off against each other for the future of self-driving cars, so it’s no surprise to see China’s tech giants follow suit. Both Tencent and Baidu have announced that they’ll be getting into the autonomous vehicle game in the last 24 hours. Tencent is teaming up with iPhone assembler Foxconn, as well as a local luxury car outfit, to create “smart vehicles.”
Foxconn’s ambitions in the space have been known since last year, when CEO Terry Gou admitted that he wanted to get into the transportation business. Crucially, the partnership is looking to produce a low-cost car that’ll meet the wallets of China’s burgeoning middle class that’ll be priced no higher than $15,000.
There’s less information available concerning Baidu’s competing product. At a science and technology conference yesterday, CEO Robin Li told the audience that his company’s first self-driving car would launch later in 2015. Rather than pair off with a gadget manufacturer like its rival, Baidu will team up with an as-yet unnamed car maker in the area. It looks like either group will have a better shot at winning Chinese hearts and minds than Tesla — which has only managed to sell 2,500 units since entering the country last year.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: PC World
Source: Tencent, Sina Tech (Translated)
23
Mar
TrackR Bravo Review: Hands-On With a Coin-Sized Bluetooth Tracker for Lost Items [iOS Blog]
Launched as an Indiegogo project in the middle of last year, the TrackR Bravo is a follow up product to the StickR TrackR, a small coin-sized Bluetooth-enabled device designed to attach to valuable items so they can be located using the TrackR app.
As of today, the TrackR Bravo, which is smaller and lighter than the company’s previous-generation products, has begun shipping out to customers. Like the original TrackR products, the TrackR Bravo attaches to items and gives out alerts via an iPhone app when an item is misplaced, preventing keys, cameras, and other small objects from being lost.
Ahead of the product’s launch, TrackR sent MacRumors a TrackR Bravo to review, so read on to see how it works and what we thought of it.
Design
The TrackR Bravo is slightly larger than a quarter, and approximately as large as two quarters stacked on top of each other. It is circular in shape, with a small loop at the top that allows it to be attached to a keyring for fastening to keys, pet collars, and more.
It has a colorful anodized aluminum housing, and it’s small enough to fit comfortably in a purse, wallet, or camera bag.
How it Works
The TrackR Bravo has built-in Bluetooth 4.0, with a 100 foot range. It works in conjunction with the TrackR app, which can be downloaded for free from the App Store.
After registering for a TrackR account within the app, the TrackR Bravo can be activated by choosing “Add a New Device” and pressing the Bluetooth activation button on the TrackR. The app supports 10 different TrackR Bravo devices, so multiple items can be tracked at the same time.
Read more 
23
Mar
Last chance for 3-year Anonymizer VPN, $55
There are plenty of reasons for one to want to keep their internet connection private. It’s possible that you have a dose of distrust for your government and want to ensure your sense of privacy while online. Maybe you’ve made enemies or inadvertently endeared yourself to some over-infatuated stalker and want to safeguard your activities. Perhaps you travel frequently for business and spend a significant amount of time connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi and want to immunize yourself from the painful experience of being targeted by a hacker. Whatever your reasons, demanding a private and secure internet connection no longer means you’re some sketchy weirdo; it’s quickly becoming the new norm. Now, who can you trust to provide an anonymous VPN? We’re offering three years of solid service from Anonymizer!
Anonymizer has been an established brand in the online privacy sector for almost 20 years. The service constantly scrubs your online activity, keeping it squeeky clean. You’ll get unlimited bandwidth across up to 5 devices simultaneously and you’ll only ever be connected to Anonymizer’s proprietary servers so there’s no fear of linking up with a shady connection. Your location and IP address will be concealed and kept secure with sophisticated masking and you’ll always have a direct line to US-based customer support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While a three year subscription normally costs over $200, AndroidGuys readers can secure their connections for just $55 with today’s deal — but hurry, this ends tonight!
See more at deals.androidguys.com
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23
Mar
iFixit’s teardown of the Samsung Galaxy S6 looks challenging
Although the Samsung Galaxy S6 was announced earlier this month, a person has gotten his hands on the device and has taken it apart. As phones like the Galaxy S6 become more streamlined, tearing apart the device for hardware maintenance becomes more difficult.
The full teardown can be viewed at iFixit, a site well-known for these disassemblies, and the video it produced is embedded below:
Source: 9to5Google
The post iFixit’s teardown of the Samsung Galaxy S6 looks challenging appeared first on AndroidGuys.
23
Mar
Google exec Eric Schmidt says Glass isn’t dead, it’s being made ready for users
Back in January, Google put the kibosh on its controversial Glass Explorer program, and that got the tech world wondering if it was the end of Glass for good. Despite the rumors regarding the Glass shutdown, Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt says the headset is a long-term project, and was put under Tony Fadell’s oversight “to make it ready for users”.
Schmidt explains:
It is a big and very fundamental platform for Google. We ended the Explorer program and the press conflated this into us canceling the whole project, which isn’t true. Google is about taking risks and there’s nothing about adjusting Glass that suggests we’re ending it.
That’s like saying the self-driving car is a disappointment because it’s not driving me around now. These things take time.
Soon after the project was moved out of Google’s X labs, a few reports suggested that Tony Fadell wouldn’t launch the 2nd generation Google Glass headset without it being completely consumer-ready. If those rumors are true, that means there will be no Glass Explorer program this time around.
Back in December, we heard that the next-gen Google Glass headset, which is rumored to launch sometime this year, would see a complete redesign. Intel is rumored to supply the CPU, as opposed to the Texas Instruments processor in the current model. The new headset will supposedly feature much better battery life as well.
We’re not sure when the new Glass model will launch, but we do know that Google is doing all they can to get things right this time around.
AIVAnet 