Under Armour’s MyFitnessPal goes premium for fitness fanatics
Roughly three months ago Under Armour snatched up Endomondo and MyFitnessPal for about half a billion bucks. Now the sports apparel company is looking for a return on its investment by rolling out the first paid-for premium version of MyFitnessPal. This is no casual tracking service, to be clear — this is meant for serious fitness buffs. For either $10 a month or $50 a year users can build custom nutrition reports and dig through the minutia of their health data without being bothered by ads.
MyFitnessPal Premium, tempts you with access to priority customer support, exclusive content like recipes design by dietitians, and the lack of ads, but it’s really the granular data tracking thats the draw. Your calorie and nutrition goals can differ based on the day of the week. There’s also custom homescreens that put things like carb or salt intake right up front if you’re have a specific goal like lowering your blood pressure or carbo loading ahead of a big race. You can even quickly see which foods are contributing the most sugar to your diet in case you need to cut back.
The move from helping people lose weight and count calories, to helping people cut that last ounce of body fat off their emerging six-pack is an important and obvious one. Under Armour isn’t interested in tracking what antibiotics you’re allergic to or how much sleep you’re getting (or not getting). This is a company built on high-performance and high-endurance athletics and its moves into the tech space need to reflect that. So, while Endomondo and MyFitnessPal will probably maintain their appeal to the casual runner and health nut, expect them to also roll out features in the next couple of months that will help people train for their next big fight or ultra marathon as well.
Via: The Verge
Source: MyFitnessPal
Apple launches program for third-party Watch strap makers
There’s already a number of Apple-made and third-party Watch bands out there, but Cupertino wants more — and it wants products that follow its exact specifications. The company has launched a “Made for Apple Watch” program, which gives makers a list of design requirements to follow, similar to its “Made for iPhone” program for accessory creators. Apple’s Watch straps are interchangeable, since they’re attached to “lugs” that easily slide out from the watchface with the press of a button. The tech juggernaut will provide those lugs to the program’s participants, though they can also create their own, so long as they use Apple-approved materials.
Creators have to make sure their straps fit well, since the watchface has to touch the skin for the (problematic) heart sensor to work. They also need to comply with environmental regulations where the smartwatches are sold and promise not to integrate magnetic chargers into their straps. Hopefully, the program grows to include other types of accessories, including those that take advantage of the device’s hidden diagnostic port that can transmit data and power at faster rates. For now, you can read the company’s full requirements on the program’s website.
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Apple
Via: 9to5mac
Source: Apple
Latest Android distribution numbers see Lollipop at almost 10%
Back in January, the news came out that after just three months, the brand new Android 5.0 Lollipop was installed on roughly 1.6% of active Android devices. Since then, it has been slowly but surely climbed upward. In the latest distribution numbers, Google’s tasty sweet treat has reached 9.7 percent market share.
To little surprise, the most common Android version is currently KitKat with 39.8 percent of the market, followed by Jelly Bean with 39.2 percent. Both of these OS versions have seen a drop however, down 1.6% and 1.5% respectively. As for the rest: Ice Cream Sandwich now sits at 5.3%, Gingerbread at 5.7%, and Froyo at .3%.
While Lollipop is on the rise, and ancient versions of Android like Gingerbread and Froyo are almost finally falling off the radar for good, the reality is that many users are still very much on older versions of Androd. The problem of fragmentation is something that Apple and even Microsoft likes to call Google out on, and while the issue is greatly exaggerated, there is some true to the matter.
The Android ‘fragmentation’ issue
First, there’s the fact that Google and other OEMs only offer 18 month recommended support for all devices, and many OEMs fall short of this mark, especially when it comes to mid-range and low tier devices. Another issue is with carriers.
When Apple releases a new version of iOS, carriers don’t have much say in what to change. That’s not the same with Android. Some carriers will install bloatware, or demand that the bootloader is locked, and due to the nature of the relationship, the carriers play a big role in how OTAs are handled. All these things slow down the update process. Finally, there’s the fact that there are so many different devices out there with different skins, different hardware, and the list goes on.
The reality is that this perceived fragmentation issue will likely never fully go away, barring massive changes in how Google, OEMs, and carriers handle the update process. But does it really matter? With Google and carriers pushing many of its apps and services to Google Play, even devices running on much older Android versions can still receive plenty of new features and will likely be able to handle the majority of Android apps and games without major issues as long as their hardware is up for the job.
In contrast, Apple somewhat forces folks to upgrade to the next version by phasing out app support for older versions. Bottom-line, running on an older version of Android doesn’t necessarily translate to an “inferior” experience. Though if you are running on anything older than Jelly Bean, it’s probably time for a new handset.
So what do you think about Android’s ‘fragmentation’? Is it an accepted concession of Android’s openness or is it unacceptable? Let us know down below.
Circular Animations added to Google Play Store with Update
Google’s recent design overhaul has been replete with new, exciting animations, and the Google Play Store App has been treated no different. After an upcoming update the store will show a circular animation when opening and closing apps, movies, and music. The animation is quick, looks sharp, and meshes well with the new Material Design. Check it out below and let us know what you think.
Click here to view the embedded video.
You can expect the new animations with GPS 5.5, which is currently rolling out.
Source: Google+
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Android Lollipop is gaining more users as new flagships come out
It took a while for Android Lollipop to even get its own slice on the OS pie chart Google releases regularly, but it now seems to be steadily gaining popularity. According to the latest Android stats collected from April 28th to May 4th, nine percent of devices are now running Lollipop. While that’s still quite small, it’s almost double last month’s percentage (five percent). KitKat’s stat slid down to 39.8 percent from last month’s 41.4 percent, so a number of stragglers might have finally upgraded. However, we’re sure the new flagships that recently started shipping with Lollipop out of the box (such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge) helped boost the version’s usage. All the older versions’ percentage are slightly down from last month’s, as well, but Froyo’s impressively still hanging on at 0.3 percent.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Google
Via: Droid Life
Source: Android Developers
New military goggles combine nightvision and thermal imaging
Nightvision and thermal imaging play similar — but very distinct — roles on the modern battlefield. Soldiers utilize night vision to illuminate their darkened surroundings while thermal imaging is employed to illuminate darkened targets. But until now, soldiers have had to carry separate imaging systems for each, which negatively impacts how quickly they can switch optics and acquire their targets. BAE Systems, however, announced Monday a new kind of optic that packs the functionality of both into a single unit.
“On today’s battlefield, this slower [two optic] approach, which is often further hampered by heavy smoke or bad weather, compromises soldiers’ safety and can reduce mission effectiveness,” a BAE release reads. “By integrating night vision and thermal targeting capabilities into one sight displayed on the soldiers’ goggles, BAE Systems’ new solution allows troops to more easily acquire targets and engage faster.”
While the optic itself is mounted on the soldier’s rifle, what it sees is actually beamed via a Bluetooth connection to a head-mounted display. This allows the warfighter to quickly toggle between the two modes at the push of a button. The US Army’s Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate has awarded BAE a five-year $434 million contract to continue the optic’s development. There is no word yet on how much the finished products would cost or how soon they’ll actually actually make it to combat zones.
[Image credit: Getty (lead), BAE Systems (inline)]
Filed under: Handhelds, Wireless
Via: DefenseTech
Source: BAE Systems
T-Mobile begins Android 5.0 Lollipop for Galaxy Note Edge owners
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If you were worried about your Samsung Galaxy Note Edge on T-Mobile getting the Android 5.0 Lollipop update, you can cool your jets. Today T-Mobile posted on their support page for the device that Lollipop, Android 5.0.2 to be more specific, is on its way out to users across the US. The build number you will be looking for is N915TUVU1COD7. It will bring all the Lollipop goodness that your fellow Note 4 friends have enjoyed for the last week or so, including Wi-Fi Passport. Which allows you to use Wi-Fi calling on any open Wi-Fi network and all networks you have access to. T-Mobile doesn’t list any apps being added or removed nor do they spout off the new fluid animations, privacy mode, lockscreen notifications or other awesome aspects of the new OS.
Per the norm, you need over 50% battery life on your device, a solid Wi-Fi connection and some time for the 1.1GB file to download and install to your Note Edge. If pulling down isn’t your cup of tea, then you can always plug your device into a PC and open up Samsung Kies and push it through that way.
Via T-Mobile
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Samsung looks to bring an Iron Man centric Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge out by next month
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I am one of those losers who spends too much time working and spending time with the family to ever take a night off to see a movie. While I have yet to see Avengers: Age of Ultron, I have heard great things and that Samsung is all over the place in it. It doesn’t surprise me since there is a plethora of themes on the current Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge geared towards the various Avenger characters. Now it would appear that Samsung will be taking things a step further with a Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge that will bring the iconic red and gold Iron Man suite to the palm of your hand.
“The color of the new Iron Man phones will be red. We will decide on other details soon after discussions with Marvel Studio. It will be released either at the end of May or early June,” said Lee Young-hee, head of marketing for the company’s mobile division.
The custom Iron Man edition device will no doubt be a limited edition device. Whether or not any US carriers will get any special orders in are yet to be confirmed. However, if it is going to go on sale at the end of the month or shortly after, we are sure to find out more relatively soon. Samsung will also be making the wallpapers, ringtones and home screen icons available to most Samsung devices after July 31st. I am sure that will come as an OTA of sorts to Lollipop devices.
The real question will be if the special edition device will also carry a special edition price tag or not. It also makes me wonder which of you out there that haven’t pulled the trigger on a Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge will hold out a little longer to carry Iron Man in your pocket instead. I also wonder if they will go berserk and do the Hulk, Thor, Captain America and the rest of the crew. I wouldn’t mind that at all, would you? Which Avenger would you want immortalized with a S6?
Source: Korea Times Via Google9to5
The post Samsung looks to bring an Iron Man centric Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge out by next month appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
AT&T kicks off Plenti rewards program for customers
AT&T has launched a new rewards program for customers called Plenti. The program works within an app available on smartphones and allows customers to make purchases for rewards points. The carrier has partnered with many big brands for earning and spending points, including Exxon, Enterprise, and Hulu, among others.
It’s a rewards program, so it’s nothing you haven’t seen before. Spend enough money or complete offers through partners and you’ll get “points,” which you can then use to purchase things from those same retailers. Some of the offers include getting 200 points for buying 10 gallons of gas at an Exxon gas station, or 5,000 points for starting a new line of service through AT&T. For reference, 1,000 points is equivalent to 10 bucks in rewards.
AT&T isn’t the first carrier to jump into rewards programs, as T-Mobile and Verizon have both notably tried similar ideas. Personally, I’m not a big fan of this kind of stuff, as tons of credit cards offer similar (or better) offers, but if you’ve ever had a positive experience with something like this, let us know in the comments.
source: Fierce Wireless
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MyFitnessPal Premium offers better diet and nutrition tracking
MyFitnessPal has kicked off a Premium subscription that gives users easier control and viewing of their diet and food intake. Among other things, the Premium service offers an ad-free experience, plus access to verified foods that have accurate calorie and nutrition content and detailed graphs and info about how many calories you’re consuming over specific time periods.
The new graphing view allows you to check how many calories you’re taking in over specific days, weeks, months, or meals, which is useful if you’re trying to narrow things down. With the enhanced nutrient views, you can set individual goals for different nutrients like calories, carbs, and protein, so you can track things much more specifically than you’d be able to before. This service probably won’t do much for casual users, but someone that’s interested in micro-managing their fitness regiment could really stand to benefit from features like this.
The premium service runs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. This definitely puts it at the higher end of fitness apps, but hey, it’s doing something those other apps aren’t, so that’s worth something.
source: MyFitnessPal
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