Recommended Reading: The new and improved ‘Halt and Catch Fire’
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you’ll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read.
Hard Reboot: The Excellent Season 2 Makeover of ‘Halt and Catch Fire’
by Andy Greenwald
Grantland
Despite an interesting premise, AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire never really took off during its first season. The show that chronicles the effort to reverse engineer an IBM PC in a Texas garage got a full revamp for season two, though, and Grantland’s Andy Greenwald explains how the changes have drastically improved the series for version 2.0.
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Google’s Ingenious Plan to Make Apps Obsolete Perhaps the most interesting announcement at this week’s Google I/O was Now on Tap. It’s an extension of the card-based tool that keeps tabs on your screen to provide relevant info from around the web the instant you need it. The crazy part? It’s not even completely finished and the folks that have spent time with it say the new tech is a game changer for Android devices. |
Your iPhone Now Has Virtual Reality, Compliments of Google Samsung and Google had both offered VR to Android phones, but with the second-gen version of Cardboard from the folks in Mountain View, iPhones can get in on the virtual reality action, too. And the goal is ever clearer: Make it cheap and accessible and let people’s creativity run wild. |
[Image credit: Tina Rowden/AMC]
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Diving into M: Revamped volume controls and Do Not Disturb mode
Android Lollipop was without a doubt the most massive change to Android since Ice Cream Sandwich, but all that change also brought a number of bugs, and some clunky implementation of certain features. Thankfully, Android M is less about changing the formula and more about refining it, making its relationship to Lollipop similar to the role Jelly Bean played in refining what was first introduced with ICS.
Want to dive even deeper? Check out our full “Diving into M” series by clicking here.
During the IO keynote earlier this week one of the new changes that Google highlighted was simplified volume controls. As you can see, pushing the volume button now brings up a volume slider with an arrow that expands the menu to also give you control of alarms, notifications, and media separately. Want to silence everything but the alarm? Hold down the volume key all the way, and eventually it will launch into that mode as well.
Overall the volume controls aren’t massively different, but they are an improvement over Lollipop.
Another semi-related change that wasn’t highlighted on stage is the return of the Do Not Disturb mode. DND first arrived with Android L, though the final Lollipop build simply referred to this functionality as priority interruptions. Although the same basic priority options are still here, DND in M actually brings a few interesting changes to the table as well, including a new “repeat callers” option that, when enabled, lets caller through if they call back within 15 minutes.
DND also introduces automatic rules that give you some basic options of when to turn on DND automatically, such as on weekends, weeknights, and during events. There’s also the ability to add a rule based on a certain time or calendar event.
Personally I tend to use DND-type functions often on my smartphone, so I’m glad to see the options evolving in Android M. It looks like they are finally catching up with many of the DND modes found in OEM skins as well. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Download the Sony Xperia Z3+ wallpapers here now
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Sony announced a kind of new device recently in the Sony Xperia Z3+. I say “kind of” because for all intents and purposes, this smartphone is exactly the same as the Sony Xperia Z4 that Sony announced for Japan-only a few weeks back – ironically, Xperia Z3+ is a much more pertinent name once you take a look at the specifications and the exterior of the device compared to its predecessor. Despite this, we’re always interested in checking out the wallpapers of new devices, so we’ve got all the Sony Xperia Z3+ wallpapers available below for you to look at and download – check them out:
Showing the “flow” theme that Sony has made their own over the last few device generations, these wallpapers are on the minimal, simplistic side, which is perfect if you’re looking for something along those lines while still using vibrant colours. All the images have a resolution of 2160×1920 which makes them perfect for anyone using a 1080p device – Sony appears to be pretty adamant about not moving to Quad HD resolution. Yet.
What do you think about the Sony Xperia Z3+ wallpapers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: XperiaBlog
The post Download the Sony Xperia Z3+ wallpapers here now appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
No Android 5.1 in sight: Minor update to the LG G3 improves “phone usability and functionality”
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LG was one of the quickest manufcaturers to update its flagship at the time, the LG G3, to Android 5.0 after its release, however since then, there’s been no hide nor hair of any update to the latest version, Android 5.1. Naturally, LG’s latest flagship, the LG G4, ships with Android 5.1, so LG’s other customers have been left in the dark wondering when it will be their turn. Which excited me greatly when I saw a 110MB software update being uploaded to my LG G3 yesterday, only to be let down when I realized it was only a minor update to the LG G3, citing improvements in “phone usability and functionality”.
This update increments the software version from V20f to V20i, but unfortunately the Android version has not changed from Android 5.0. The only difference that I have seen in this latest version is that a new launcher function has been added to allow you to add homescreen windows on the fly (by swiping inwards, a la some custom launchers) – if you’ve also got this update and can see any differences, feel free to drop us a line in the comments below. And the wait for Android 5.1 continues…
What do you think about this minor update to the LG G3? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post No Android 5.1 in sight: Minor update to the LG G3 improves “phone usability and functionality” appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Samsung Project Valley could be a foldable, dual-screened smartphone coming in the near future
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Just in case anybody has forgotten, Samsung promised in November 2013 that flexible, foldable displays would be possible in 2015. Fast forward to today in 2015 and some news has recently dropped regarding a certain Samsung Project Valley, which SamMobile alleges is potentially related to a foldable smartphone. It’s not a bad guess given the connotation that Project Valley, or Project V, presents, and is apparently a concept in very early development at Samsung involving a device with two screens.
Now before you get too excited, we do have to remind you (and ourselves) that this is just a rumour, and even if it is true, being a concept project, it’s possible that Project Valley will never see the light of day. Still, with dual screen devices like the YotaPhone gaining massive interest, we could definitely see a dual screen, possibly foldable Samsung smartphone being a very popular device. Only will time will tell, as usual.
What do you think about the prospect of Project Valley and a foldable smartphone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: SamMobile
The post Samsung Project Valley could be a foldable, dual-screened smartphone coming in the near future appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
‘Halo 3: ODST’ is rolling out on the Xbox One, check your inbox
From one bug-ridden console game to another — Halo: Master Chief Collection owners should check their Xbox One inbox this morning, as redemption codes for the Halo 3: ODST add-on are rolling out now. Arriving as an apology for problems gamers have reported with the massive Halo bundle since it launched months ago, ODST is a simpler update instead of a remake, with all the original graphics but running at 1080p and 60fps, and without the co-op Firefight mode. There’s also an update, that adds Halo 2: Anniversary map “Remnant” to the bundle and makes a few additional tweaks. Halo Senior Communications Manager Rob Semsey confirmed the rollout on Twitter, so if you played the game between November 11th and December 19th last year expect a message.
Filed under: Gaming, HD, Microsoft
Source: Rob Semsey (Twitter), Halo Waypoint
Why I dropped the Moto X 2014 as my daily driver
It was October 2014, and I had just dumped Sprint as my carrier because it was time to cut down on expenses. My wife had just retired because of a medical condition, and we needed a cheaper plan. At the time, I had 3 phones: The Galaxy Note 3, the LG G-Flex, and the HTC One M8. These phones were on unlimited plans, but the bill was around 600 dollars a month.
So after a few days of looking around, I found a special with Verizon. The Moto X 2014 was fairly cheap, new to the market, and I thought Motorola had a great reputation, so I bought two for me and my wife.
I was a very happy camper for about two months. Then, I got the lollipop update, and things started to get worse. If I were a light or average user on a smartphone, I could probably have gotten by with the dramatically decreased battery life. However, I use my phone for everything. I talk, text, research, and write articles while using my Moto X. My point is, the battery simply cannot keep up. Unsupported, I could only get about 3 hours of screen on time.
Another problem was that I bought the 16 gig model. Once you put in three or four applications that are of decent size, you’re out of usable space. I have several movies and games that couldn’t fit on the hard drive. That was my fault, but the combination of the two problems got to be too much to handle. Clearly, something had to change.
So I bought a battery case, thinking that should at least make it much easier to deal with. It didn’t work out the way I hoped. The battery case only added about two hours of screen on time until both the phone, and the battery case were out of power, and I was eager to find a wall outlet before my phone was dead. The case was also supposed to support USB on the go memory, however, that feature wasn’t supported by the handset.
I enjoy the Moto X 2014, heck I’m sure that most people do as well. The phone itself is really well made. Aside from certain issues with lollipop I never had a problem that made the phone reset. It’s a good deal.. for someone else.
I decided to go back to HTC and use the One M8. I never had any problems with the M8. The software is really fast and efficient to use. The memory on my phone is a 32 gig model so I won’t run short of memory unless I choose to. I hate to say this, but Blink feed is a very good feature of Sence 6, and vastly improved in Sence 7. Last, but certainly not least, is that the battery is bigger than the Moto-X 2014. I’m sorry, but at the end of the day, I need the power and efficiency that comes with the M8.
I may not be the only person who has made this decision. I’m just one of the few who has a platform to complain, and then write about it. I have nothing against Motorola, and if the next handset improves the issues that I outline here, I would consider going back. However, for now I will be ready to use the HTC One M8 for the next year or so.
The post Why I dropped the Moto X 2014 as my daily driver appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Sony promises ‘Ultra Street Fighter IV’ PS4 patch next week
The launch of Ultra Street Fighter IV on the PlayStation 4 hasn’t exactly gone as planned, with gamers complaining of input lag, shoddy netcode, glitches, a start screen that refers to a button on the controller that doesn’t exist and other issues. Tonight Sony announced that a patch is “expected to land next week,” but did not provide any other details on exactly what it’s addressing. While some reported the issues waned after the game was fully installed, others still report problems. The PS4 was slotted as the system of choice for the Evo 2015 event in July, but co-founder Joey Cuellar tweeted that the event is “evaluating” what system to use.
Ultra Street Fighter IV update: PS4 patch expected to land next week, we’ll keep you posted on details. Thanks for your patience!
– PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 30, 2015
Google Play store not shows age-based ratings
According to AndroidCentral, age-based ratings for apps now appear in the Play Store under the apps’ ratings. This follows Google’s efforts to bring ratings to games earlier in March. In that case, game developers had to respond to a survey, and based on those answers, they received valuations from the International Age Rating Coalition.
App ratings can vary based on which region you live in. In the US, they follow that of the ESRB:
- E for everyone
- E10 for everyone 10 and older
- T for those at least 13-years-old
- M for 17+-year-olds
- AO for adults only, which is 18 or older
It needs to be noted that ratings for TVs and movies have been around in the Play Store a lot longer. Still, classifications for apps and games are a welcome addition in order to keep children and teens safe, considering that many of them have their own tablets and smartphones nowadays.
The post Google Play store not shows age-based ratings appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google’s solar plane crashed earlier this month
According to Bloomberg Business, the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating an incident wherein Google’s solar-powered Solara 50 plane reportedly crashed shortly after takeoff. The event occurred on May 1st at a private airfield outside of Albuquerque and no injuries were reported.
“Although our prototype plane went down during a recent test, we remain optimistic about the potential of solar-powered planes to help deliver connectivity,” Courtney Hohne, a Google spokeswoman, told Bloomberg. “Part of building a new technology is overcoming hurdles along the way.” Recent Google acquisition, Titan Aerospace built the 50-meter-wide (164 ft) drone. It is part of an ambitious Google plan to deliver global internet connectivity via stratospheric drones. The Mountain View-based company is also working on an alternative, balloon-based system dubbed Project Loon.
Via: Popular Mechanics
Source: Bloomberg Business
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