Foxconn pumps money into Cyanogen – is there a link to Nokia?
In between messing up its partnership with OnePlus, or making statements about how it is “putting a bullet through Google’s head,” Cyanogen does find some time to look for more investors. Back in March the company, which is led by Steve Kondik and Kirt McMaster, announced its series C funding from investors like Twitter, Qualcomm and Rupert Murdoch. Today the company announced more investor money, this time from Foxconn.
The series C funding is Cyanogen’s third injection of cash from outside investors. The money is generally given on the basis that the company has started to prove itself and that its business plan is sound.
What isn’t so well appreciated is that Foxconn has its own smartphone brand.
The new “strategic investment” from Foxconn brings to a close Cyanogen’s series C funding. There is no current announcement about any possible series D funding. As it said when it announced the previous series C funding, the company will use the money to “accelerate talent hiring and the development of its open OS platform.”
If you haven’t heard of Foxconn, you will have surely heard of some of the products it manufactures: iPad, iPhone, Kindle, PlayStation, Xbox and so on! The keyword here is manufacture. Foxconn is a Taiwanese contract manufacturer that assembles products for the likes of Apple, Blackberry and Microsoft.
What isn’t so well appreciated is that Foxconn has its own smartphone brand. Next to all those iPhones that are rolling off the assembly lines, there are Android smartphones sold under Foxconn’s InFocus brand.
Could there be a possible link between any future phones that Foxconn makes and the use of Cyanogen? Also, Foxconn is in the rebadging game. It designs and builds devices for third party companies who then just stick their own badges on the units. A prime example of this is the Nokia N1. Although it carries the Nokia name it is actually all Foxconn’s work. If Nokia was ever to get back into the smartphone market it could very well use the same method. A Foxconn designed phone with a Nokia badge… and maybe running Cyanogen!
What do you think? Would you buy a Foxconn built Nokia smartphone running Cyanogen OS?
Top 10 best Android games for smartphones and tablets [May 2015]
Mobile games.
They’re everywhere–on our smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and even invading our computers. While this certainly isn’t a bad thing, there’s more terrible games out there than great, and the bad titles tend to be what people see most.
However, there is an array of remarkable mobile games available where a lot of heart and soul has been put into them. If you’ve got a smartphone or tablet–iOS or Android–we’ve got a list of the top ten titles available right now.
Hearthstone
The World of Warcraft-themed collectible trading card game, now compatible with all types of devices, is a magical title that feeds on two characteristics: frustration and addiction. Decks are built with cards earned through gaining levels and buying packs. You can then pit them against your enemy, employ a lot of forethought, and pray your deck wins. Multiplayer is phenomenal, but Blizzard did a marvelous job at offering singleplayer challenges, where you pit yourself against the computer with some insane deck builds.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley isn’t difficult by any means, but through geometry, phenomenal music, and elegant graphics, it is an experience like no other. Many people throw those words around, but it rings true for ustwo’s Monument Valley. The only cons for the game are that it is too short and arguably not difficult enough. The game is short, but with its 4 1/2-star rating, the game is enjoyed by many, even Frank Underwood.
Clash of Clans
Supercell’s strategy and village builder, Clash of Clans is enjoyed by millions of players. The game is truly addicting, urging you to come back to it every few hours. You can expand your village, advance your kingdom, upgrade your warriors, and even join a clan to dominate rival clans, earning yourself majestic rewards. Don’t knock yourself down if you get angry over another clan destroying your village, Liam Neeson experiences the same feelings.
Kingdom Rush
Created by Ironhide Games, Kingdom Rush is a fascinating and engaging tower defense game. With 8 upgradeable towers, 18 abilities, and 9 heroes, you are challenged to fight against 50 waves of increasingly stronger enemies. Just make sure you’re prepared for the boss battles–they are like no other, intense and challenging.
Rymdkapsel
Grapefrukt Games’ minimalistic space strategy Rymdkapsel is a superb game, previously exclusive to Playstation Mobile devices. Your goal is to build and advance your space station while defending it from raiders and gathering resources you need to expand. It’s a longer game than most, but if anything, the graphics are Rymdkapsel’s strongest suit. Taking on a retro style and employing a lot of geometric graphics, the game is a wonderful piece of eye candy, at least for those who enjoy said style.
GoatZ
After the success of Goat Simulator, Coffee Stain Studio knew where they needed to head next: GoatZ, a zombie survival adaption of its predecessor. Explore a world ridden with zombies, fight them, and survive. One of the most humorous things in the game is watching zombies fly through the air having a seizure after you head butt them with your goat. The game certainly doesn’t take itself seriously by any means–it’s comedic gold.
Super Hexagon
Super Hexagon might be one of the most frustrating, yet brilliant games you’ll ever play. In Super Hexagon, you play as a triangle, attempting to avoid oncoming obstacles. You have to do this for 60 seconds in order to unlock harder difficulties, but good luck getting there, as its nigh impossible! However, you’ll insist on continuing playing because Super Hexagon makes the insanity enjoyable through its wonderfully constructed and alluring retro music.
Punch Quest
Noodlecake Studios’ Punch Quest is an addicting, yet amusing arcade-style fighting game. Using only your thumbs, you have to wade through enemies by punching and jabbing so you can make your way to the end. Just be careful, things tend to get a little out of hand when you finally get on a dinosaur that happens to shoot lasers out of its mouth.
Auralux
Auralux is a clever and strategic game where you command a single unit. Your mission is to capture all of the suns on the map by eliminating the enemy. It’s very strategic, so employing tactics like flanking is a must. It’s much more difficult than it sounds, and also quite addicting. Aside from gameplay, one of the games’ best aspect is its beautifully constructed ambient music.
The Room
While Monument Valley might have been an easy puzzle quest, The Room turns the difficulty quite a bit. Playing this game is like trying to figure out a difficult crossword puzzle as a child–it sucks up hours of your time and you really don’t make any headway. It requires a lot of critical thinking, and you have to take your time, otherwise, you might not be able to complete the puzzles. Luckily, there are clues available to guide you along. If you happen to finish the game, there’s a sequel, The Room 2, which is equally, if not more, challenging.
These are my favorite games to play right now. With so many games available, I am sure I missed a few. Let me know what you’re favorite games are in the comments.
Come comment on this article: Top 10 best Android games for smartphones and tablets [May 2015]
Lightning deal: Get an unlocked Droid Ultra for just $210!
These days it is easier than ever to get a good Android smartphone without necessarily paying top dollar. There are a number of routes that you can take when looking for a good budget phone, but buying an older model that is still in new condition can be one of the best ways to save. With this in mind, as part of a Gold Box deal on Amazon, you can now get the Droid Ultra for just $209.99.
This Verizon-branded handset is essentially an original Moto X but with a larger 5-inch display and a few other minor tweaks. The device is powered by a Snapdragon S4 Pro processor (as part of the X8 computing system) with 2GB RAM, and other specs include a 10MP rear cam, a 2130mAh battery, and Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Again, this phone is designed for use on Verizon’s network, but it is unlocked and does support GSM and 4G LTE on the following bands:
2G: CDMA 800 / 1900 + GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, 3G: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO + HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100, 4G: LTE 700 MHz Class 700 / 1700 / 2100 (Bands 4, 13)
Not a bad deal for those looking for a cheap daily driver or even a backup device. Of course this is a limited deal and is only good for about 2 more hours (at time of this writing). After this, the pricing will bump up to around $250.
Tango opens an in-app store powered by Walmart and Alibaba
Two of the world’s largest companies in commerce are assisting Tango with the launch of its in-app store. Walmart and Alibaba have come together to bring their digital stores to Tango users in the United States. Users can browse millions of items offered by Walmart and AliExpress without ever leaving Tango. Purchases are also done within the messaging service’s app. Tango then curates lists of products for users to view based on preferences. This is another step in the direction of ‘social shopping’ and Tango encourages users to share their lists with friends and family.
Tango does plan to include additional retailers and markets over time.
Hit the break for the full press release.
TANGO LAUNCHES MOBILE SOCIAL SHOPPING WITH WALMART AND ALIEXPRESS
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 12, 2015 – Tango members, time to start shopping.
A mobile messaging service with more than 300 million users, Tango this morning launched social shopping on the Tango mobile app in the U.S. in collaboration with Walmart, the world’s top retailer, and with AliExpress, a global consumer retail marketplace owned by Alibaba Group, the world’s leading e-commerce company.
The new service allows U.S. Tango members to choose from millions of products sold through Walmart.com and AliExpress. The company expects to expand shopping options over time to include additional retailers and geographies.
Tango will offer curated lists of products based on user preferences, while also allowing them to create their own collections to share with family and friends. Tango members will be able to make purchases from Walmart.com and AliExpress without ever leaving the Tango app.
“Tango offers an exciting new way for consumers to access quality products on AliExpress that are relevant to their preferences and lifestyles.” said Leo Shen, General Manager of AliExpress. “We look forward to teaming up with Tango to provide consumers a great shopping experience wherever they go.”
“Starting today, Tango becomes more than just a mobile messaging service: we’re leading the way in ‘conversational commerce,’ making it simple for consumers to connect with leading retailers using the same platform they rely on every day to chat with friends and family,” said Tango CEO and co-founder Uri Raz. “Tango is excited to collaborate with Walmart and AliExpress to revolutionize blending commerce and communication, creating a new and exciting experience for consumers and sellers alike.”
Tango continues to re-imagine the way people communicate, discover and share content through mobile devices. From instant messaging to music; games to videos; photos to news and now shopping – Tango is a place to connect, get social, have fun and shop.
To download the Tango mobile application from either the Apple App store or Google Play visit: http://www.tango.me/download.
About TangoMe, Inc.
Founded in 2009, TangoMe Inc. is the developer of Tango, a free mobile messaging app with more than 300 million registered members who enjoy free video and voice calls, texting, social discovery, browsing and sharing content with one another. As a Top 100 free app on Android and iTunes, Tango continues to grow rapidly, with over hundred of thousands of people joining every day. The company works with third-party game developers, brands, content publishers, and advertisers to provide distribution, integration opportunities, and advertising. Tango is cross-platform, operating over 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi, and is available in 15 languages in more than 224 countries. TangoMe Inc. is a privately-held company headquartered in Mountain View, California. The company has raised $367 million in venture capital financing to date and also has offices in Austin, Texas; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Beijing. Visit http://www.tango.me for more information.
Come comment on this article: Tango opens an in-app store powered by Walmart and Alibaba
Philips SHP9500 over-ear headphones, $49.99 + FS
If you’re planning on picking up a pair of solid headphones, don’t pull the trigger on a purchase until you’ve taken a look at this deal from Newegg. The SHP9500 from Philips boast 50mm drivers and comfortable ear cushions for superior sound and a luxurious feel. These retail for $69.99 but you can take them for just $49.99 (plus free shipping) by entering code EMCASKN69.
Enjoy and don’t forget to share this deal with a friend!
The post Philips SHP9500 over-ear headphones, $49.99 + FS appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Save up to $80 at Boost Mobile with these promo codes and deals
Use one of these codes and save on your next Android!
Need to pick up a no-contract smartphone for yourself or someone you know? You’re in luck! We’ve got a couple of promo codes that you can use through Boost Mobile which can save you at least $20-$25 off the normal cost. What’s more, there are also some wonderful deals to be had in the pre-owned models, too.
Note that these codes only work through Boost Mobile’s official website and that they are offered for a limited time. For some extra help or guidance on some of the models, be sure to swing by our Boost Mobile Buyer’s Guide!
- $25 off the Moto E with Promo Code MOTOE5CJ25
- $20 off the LG Tribute with Promo Code TRIBUTE5CJ20
Pre-owned smartphone savings
- $80 Off the Certified Pre-owned HTC One SV
- $20 off the Certified Pre-owned ZTE Warp Sequent
- $50 off the Certified Pre-owned LG Optimus F7
- $30 off the Certified Pre-owned LG Venice
The post Save up to $80 at Boost Mobile with these promo codes and deals appeared first on AndroidGuys.
If ‘Rock Band’ is Coachella, ‘Loud on Planet X’ is CBGB
Loud on Planet X is the ultimate independent artist’s dream: It’s an indie game all about indie bands. The actual gameplay is a blend of two familiar mechanics, a Plants vs. Zombies-style tower-defense system and a rhythm game reminiscent of Patapon that has players making sweet, sweet music while they fend off streams of hostile, blobby aliens. The coolest part for music fans is that Loud lets you play as the indie bands that it features, including Tegan and Sara, Metric, Lights, METZ, Fucked Up, July Talk, Austra and Cadence Weapon. Loud is still a work in progress, but all of the bands have been great to work with so far, Pop Sandbox studio head Alex Jansen says: “The musicians we’re working with have been really incredible and genuinely excited to be involved. A lot of them are big gamers too, especially someone like Lights.”
Regardless of how cool the band members are individually, there’s still a fair bit of red tape involved in creating Loud, Jansen says. “We need to license both master and publishing rights for each song, plus likeness agreements with the bands themselves (since you’re playing as the actual band and not just playing their music); there can be multiple parties involved and usually five contracts for each artist. But the artists themselves have been super supportive and helping push through a lot of the deals directly.”
The crew at Pop Sandbox is full of huge music fans, Jansen says, and some of them even had a hand in creating Sound Shapes, a glorious little music game featuring songs from Deadmau5 and Beck, among other artists. The first band to jump onboard for Loud was Fucked Up, a beacon of Toronto’s punk scene. Fucked Up’s Mike Haliechuk and Jonah Falco did the music for Pop Sandbox’s mobile game Pipe Trouble, and they’re crafting an original score for Loud, too.
“What we’ve been aiming for is a cross-section of both favorite established and emerging artists, with the hope that people will discover amazing new music through the game,” Jansen says.
Pop Sandbox is based in Toronto and for Loud, it’s getting financial support from the Ontario Media Development Corporation, the Canadian government and FACTOR, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the independent Canadian music industry, Jansen explains. Still, in order to launch Loud on PlayStation 4, Vita, Steam, iOS and Android by the fall, the team needs a little more money. They’re trying their luck on Kickstarter, asking for CAD$50,000 by June 5th.
“Unfortunately we weren’t able to actually get in front of Sony in person until Indiecade East a couple months ago,” Jansen says when asked specifically about the potential of financial support from Sony. “They’ve been really supportive, but haven’t been able to come forward with actual financial help. We considered the possibility of an exclusive, but have opted to try and go for as many platforms as possible.”
If the Kickstarter takes off, Pop Sandbox wants to add support for Wii U and Xbox One, as well. So far the developers have committed to nine in-game artists and 18 tracks, though they want to hit 12 artists total.
“We’ve definitely got targets in mind for the next slots and are in the middle of some pretty exciting talks, and we’re hoping to lock things down and make at least one more announcement over the course of the Kickstarter,” Jansen says. “We also want to keep some surprises for launch.”
[Image credits: Pop Sandbox]
Bots and booze: The automated bar of the ‘future’
Hard manual labor isn’t the only task mankind’s assigned to robots; they’ve also been known to make a drink on occasion. Since the ’50s, we’ve had machines of one type or another that were ready to pour us a cold one, and as the technology developed, so have their skills behind the bar. Nimble, intelligent drink-mixing robots, however, are far from cheap and the trajectory of anthropomorphic models has been erratic. To figure out where our future lies, we take a look back at some of the mechanical mixologists that have served us over the years.
Filed under: Robots
Victory brings an e-bike to the world’s best-known motorcycle race
Victory Motorcycles is better known for its burly cruiser bikes than racing, but it’s about to challenge that reputation in a big, big way. The company has revealed that it will run a prototype electric motorcycle at the Isle of Man TT, arguably the world’s most famous two-wheeled race. The machine will compete in ‘just’ a one-lap electric class competition on June 10th, but that still amounts to jumping in with both feet. The Isle of Man’s 37.7-mile circuit is one of the most dangerous and grueling you can race — there are many moments where you’re seemingly a hair’s breadth away from colliding with someone’s house.
The entry isn’t just about burnishing the company’s image. Victory sees this as a way to create a “strong future” for itself in e-bikes. In other words, it wants to know how to build electric transportation that’s both powerful and holds up under harsh conditions. It’ll probably be a while before you can buy an electric Victory bike at the local dealer, but it’s hard to imagine the company taking too long to develop a consumer-friendly EV when it knows that Harley-Davidson is already moving in that direction.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: The Verge
Source: Victory Motorcycles
‘Assassin’s Creed Syndicate’ brings stealth action to Victorian London
Ubisoft’s last Assassin’s Creed title didn’t exactly get a warm reception, but the game developer is apparently bent on making amends: meet Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, the next installment in Ubi’s historical stealth action series. The new game moves the setting forward to Victorian London, where the industrial revolution and social inequality are the hot-button issues of the day. However, the real centerpiece is the franchise’s first use of multiple main characters. You can take control of either Jacob Frye (a “brash and rebellious” character) or his sister Evie (a “master of stealth”) when you’re in open-world situations. You’re locked to playing one or the other in key story missions, but the move should otherwise add some variety to gameplay that has gradually become formulaic.
Notably, the studio is also backing away from its multiplayer efforts in Unity. Syndicate is strictly a single-player game — Ubisoft says it wants to “focus on creating the biggest world” yet in Assassin’s Creed (30 percent larger than in Unity), which encompasses six key London boroughs. That’s undoubtedly important, although the move should also help the company polish Syndicate‘s experience and avoid the glitches that plagued its 2014 ancestor. You’ll know how well Ubi fared when it ships Syndicate on October 23rd for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and later in the fall for PC gamers.
Filed under: Gaming
Source: Ubisoft
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