Apple Watch support is coming to IBM’s enterprise apps
For the past year or so, Apple and IBM have collaborated on the MobileFirst for iOS project, a series of 22 enterprise-specific apps for iOS. These apps are designed to help service professionals better perform their duties but for some, constantly fishing out a phone or tablet to access those apps actually hindered their efforts. That’s why Apple announced through its website today that three of these apps — Hospital RN, Field Connect and Incident Aware — will now work on the Apple Watch.
Essentially, this new functionality transfers the app’s push notifications from the user’s mobile device to the Apple watch. In the case of Hospital RN, for example, those notifications “will alert nurses to review new display patient requests, changes in lab status, safety alerts, and prioritized task lists for immediate action disposition,” according to the Apple website. And for Field Connect, which allows field technicians to better coordinate their efforts, these pushes can provide “late-breaking news on severe weather, outages, hazards, and crew member information.” The same goes for the law enforcement-focused Incident Aware app. Of course, these are the same notifications delivered the phone or tablet-based versions…just pushed to Apple Watch. More MobileFirst apps are likely to follow suit in the coming months.
Via: 9 to 5 Mac
Source: Apple
‘Need for Speed’ reboot rolls out this fall
When EA’s quarterly report dropped earlier in May, it included a few tasty game-related tidbits, including a “holiday 2015″ launch window for a new Need for Speed. EA today confirmed that Need for Speed will launch on PS4, Xbox One and PC this fall — and it’s a full-on reboot of the series. “With more than 20 years of history in its rear view mirror, we’re bringing Need for Speed back with a reboot that delivers on what Need for Speed stands for — rich customization, authentic urban car culture, a nocturnal open world, and an immersive narrative,” EA Community Manager Ben Walke writes. The first teaser for the game is fairly gorgeous and EA says that all of its footage was captured in-game. Watch the video below, and keep your eyes here on June 15th for the first gameplay trailer and official announcement direct from E3 2015.
Image credits: EA
Source: @NeedforSpeed
Hexy Launcher is a unique home screen replacement app from SwiftKey’s Greenhouse
A few weeks ago the folks from SwiftKey launched an experimental software hub called Greenhouse, where the company could introduce new, innovative applications that may or may not make it to the mainstream. The first application out of the software incubator was the Clarity Keyboard, which was to be expected coming from a keyboard company. However, SwiftKey’s newest endeavor surprisingly doesn’t have anything to do with a keyboard at all.
Hexy Launcher is the newest application from the Greenhouse, and it aims to make your device’s home screen much easier to navigate. The launcher lays out all of your installed applications in a canvas of hexagonal tiles, which actually learns from which applications you open throughout the day. The layout organizes itself automatically, in hopes to feed you the application it thinks you’ll open next, based on your daily habits.
#gallery-1
margin: auto;
#gallery-1 .gallery-item
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 25%;
#gallery-1 img
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
#gallery-1 .gallery-caption
margin-left: 0;
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
You can easily filter your apps by using the designated search bar at the top of the screen. The launcher also features a widget page, which is accessible by clicking the floating action button on the bottom right of the screen.
As is the case with other apps from the Greenhouse, SwiftKey urges you to send in feedback once you try it out, no matter if you have any gripes or not. Remember that this is an experimental application, so you may notice some odd behavior or a few minor bugs here and there. If you’re interested in giving it a try, you can download Hexy Launcher for free from the Google Play Store.
Moto G (1st gen) finally gets Android Lollipop update
While owners of the second gen Moto G saw an update to Lollipop a while back, now it’s finally the original Moto G’s turn!
Starting today, Android 5.0.2 is rolling out bringing all the improvements you’d expect such the new lock screen, enhancement notifications, Lollipop’s built-in flashlight, a battery life indicator, and much more. Since Motorola’s skin is pretty much near-stock anyhow, Material Design improvements also make their way over to the Moto G in a big way.
As you’d expect, this update will likely be rolled out in stages, so don’t be too surprised if you don’t have an update waiting for you just yet. When it doubt, you can always attempt to check manually under settings, but if that doesn’t work the good news is that the wait shouldn’t be horribly long — and after, you’ve already waited this long. It’s also worth noting that the Lollipop update for the Moto G (1st gen) had already rolled out a little while back for some markets, so some users may already have this.
Any Moto G (1st gen) owners receive the update yet, if so, what do you think of the upgrade so far?
Blu Studio C is a entry-level smartphone with Lollipop onboard for just $99
When it comes to smartphones, BLU is hardly a household name, but it is starting to slowly grow a reputation for providing low-cost yet reasonably well-performing devices for those looking for a cheap backup phone, their first smartphone, or a phone to give a child. The Blu Studio C is their latest low-cost offering, touting Android Lollipop and a 5-inch 720p display for just $99.99.
Other phones from BLU
.rvs_wrapper
width: 335px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
.rvs_wrapper
width: 100%;
text-align: center;
#page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
display: inline-block;
float: none;
vertical-align: top;
The Studio C is powered by quad-core MediaTek MTK6582 processor with just 1GB RAM. Other specs include an 8MP rear cam, 2MP front cam, 8GB storage, and microSD for expansion. There’s certainly not a lot of extras here, with no NFC, no LTE, or any other bells and whistles. That said, it’s a sub-$100 phone that works on both AT&T and T-Mobile (HSDPA and 3G), so you can only expect so much. One thing worth noting is the battery, at 3000 mAh, it will likely hold up for well over a day — especially considering the low screen size and resolution found here.
So how about it, anyone planning on picking this one up?
Google brings 60fps live streams to YouTube
Google launched support for 60 frames per second playback on YouTube just a few months ago, and now the company is bringing it to live streaming. Available starting today on HTML5-compatible browsers, YouTube will now begin to transcode your stream into 720p60 and 1080p60, which Google says makes for “silky smooth playback for gaming and other fast-action videos”. Streams will also be made available in 30fps for devices where high frame rate viewing is not yet available.
In addition to this new feature, Google is also bringing HTML5 playback to live streams in supported browsers. This means that live streams will now use an HTML5 player, allowing users to skip backwards in a stream while it’s live, and even watch at 1.5x or 2x speed in order to catch up to the live action.
Back in August, Google almost bought Twitch, the most well known name in the video game live streaming industry. YouTube has yet to gain its footing in the industry, but that may change sometime soon. According to a report from a few months back, Google may be readying a new live streaming service to be unveiled at E3 this year in hopes to take on Twitch. Coupled with support for 60fps live streaming, Google may actually have a chance to deem itself worthy in the streaming community. As a reminder, Android Authority will be live at E3 this year, bringing you all of the best Android-related game coverage available at the conference.
Blu releases Studio C 99 dollar Android smartphone on Amazon.com
Blu products released their latest unlocked Android, the Studio C, smartphone today on Amazon.com. The new device is compatible with GSM networks such as T-Mobile, AT&T, Metro PCS, and Cricket Wireless to name a few. The most important feature of this phone is its low price of $99. For a low price, you get a dual sim, 5.0 inch IPS screen with 720×1280 resolution, 4G connectivity, 1GB RAM, 8GB of memory with an expandable slot for a MicroSD card, 8MP camera, FM radio, and Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Battery life is an estimated 40 hours of talk time due to a large non-removable 3000mAh battery. The new Studio Ccomes in black, white, pink, green and orange, is available today and can arrive as soon as tomorrow if you select one-day shipping.
Spec wise, for 99 dollars, this is one heck of a phone.
Purchase here on Amazon.com.
The post Blu releases Studio C 99 dollar Android smartphone on Amazon.com appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Duet Review: A Premium Two-in-One Stand for Apple Watch and iPhone [iOS Blog]
Given that the Apple Watch has an advertised 18-hours battery life based on mixed usage, chances are that you will be taking off the wrist-worn device each night to charge. Naturally, accessory makers have been quick to jump on the opportunity to create a wide variety of Apple Watch stands for docking the watch on your bedside table or elsewhere. Ahead, we take a closer look at one of them.
Antsy Labs has risen to the challenge with a Kickstarter project for Duet, a two-in-one stand for docking the Apple Watch and iPhone together. The stand is machined from a solid block of aluminum, in silver, space gray or gold, giving it considerable weight and a sleek design that closely matches the look of the MacBook, iPad, iPhone and other anodized aluminum Apple products.
I received a prototype unit of the Duet that I have been testing over the past week, and my first impressions are mostly favorable. Given that the Duet unit I received was part of a limited production run for members of the press, the stand has a few imperfections that will not be found on the final product. In particular, there are a few minor scuffs on the stand, and the finish isn’t as shiny as the unit that will ship to customers.
First and foremost, Duet’s built-in magnets allow you to attach the Apple Watch stand to the symmetrical iPhone dock or separate both pieces and charge your Apple Watch and iPhone separately. This multipurpose functionality is a major selling point for the stand, given that many Apple Watch and iPhone standalone stands and docks are available for considerably less than Duet’s future $99 price tag.
Duet has an aesthetically pleasing design that both looks and feels premium, and smartly placed cutouts along the stand’s arm and pedestal hide the Lightning connector and Apple Watch charging cables for a clean setup. The stand is quite heavy, and has suction pads on the bottom, allowing for one-handed removal of an iPhone or Apple Watch without the entire stand sliding or moving on most surfaces.
At the same time, one major concern I have about the Duet’s design is the lack of rubber inserts — like the Twelve South HiRise — to protect the Apple Watch against possible wear and tear. I just spent close to $750 on my stainless steel Apple Watch and shouldn’t have to be worried about scratching it or the charging puck, but I found myself worried more often than not. The potential for metal-on-metal contact was the Duet’s biggest downfall in my testing, although the Apple Watch does not physically touch the stand.
Overall, the Duet has a premium design and delivers multipurpose functionality as a two-in-one stand for Apple Watch and iPhone. The stand earns a favorable recommendation, but the lack of rubber inserts where the Apple Watch is positioned and expensive price tag are off-putting enough for me to suggest looking into alternatives as well. ElevationLab’s NightStand, for example, is a silicone Apple Watch stand that costs just $30.
Duet is available for a $79 pledge on Kickstarter, where it has already exceeded its $25,000 funding goal, and will retail for $99 after the campaign ends. The stand is compatible with the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, with or without a case. Antsy Labs plans to start shipping Duet to customers in July, but is striving to begin deliveries even sooner. Kickstarter rewards will be shipped towards August.
T-Mobile Un-Carries Its Way to New Alabama Facility
T-Mobile defines itself as “America’s fastest growing wireless company,” and it’s doubling down on that claim by opening a new customer care facility in Birmingham, Alabama. But don’t take our word for it. Behold, the wonderful, self-congratulatory world of press releases!
Bellevue, Washington and Birmingham, Alabama − May 21, 2015 – With the Un-carrier™ revolution continuing to disrupt US wireless and attract millions of customers, T-Mobile is applying its flair for bold innovation to a brand new customer care center in Birmingham, Alabama. T-Mobile threw open its doors today with company leaders and community representatives present at the all-new, expanded customer care facility. The Un-carrier also stepped up its longtime support of youth in the local community, announcing a $10,000 grant to the YMCA of Greater Birmingham by the T-Mobile Foundation.
“Customers are #1 at T-Mobile. As millions join the Un-carrier movement, we’re making big investments in our customer care to match,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “With today’s grand opening of this truly inspiring care center, we’re not only doubling down on the best possible care for our customers—we’re also committing to a stellar work environment for our people and investing in the local community. This is win-win-win.”
Last month, T-Mobile was named one of the Best Places to Work by the Birmingham Business Journal for the second year in a row. The award specifically called out T-Mobile’s Birmingham customer care center for outstanding teamwork, trust and great management.
T-Mobile has been a community partner and major employer in Birmingham for nearly 20 years. In 2014, the Un-carrier hired nearly 250 employees, and almost 100 people have been hired already this year. T-Mobile plans to hire more employees at the new, larger care center before the end of the year.
T-Mobile is “all in” in Birmingham! Employees regularly lead and take part in community events and partner with organizations such as the YMCA of Greater Birmingham, the South Hampton School, Gifts for Angel Tree Kids and Relay for Life. T-Mobile is committed to the local communities it serves across the US, while creating the culture and environment that makes it Un-carrier − and completely unlike anyone else in the wireless industry.
So there you have it. Move to Alabama, like now.
Source: T-Mobile
Come comment on this article: T-Mobile Un-Carries Its Way to New Alabama Facility
9to5Mac: Apple’s working on iOS tweaks for 12-inch iPad
Still holding out for a larger iPad? Well, you’re certainly not alone. Thanks to new details from 9to5Mac, it looks like Apple’s prepping for a reveal as well. The site has a solid track record when it comes to rumors, and it reports that both hardware and software tweaks are in the works for the 12.9-inch slate. Two models, code-named J98 and J99, are reportedly in the testing phase alongside tweaks to Apple’s mobile OS to outfit the extra screen real estate. As you might expect, the difference between the two is one is WiFi-only and the other carries both WiFi and cellular connectivity. Among the changes to iOS is a split-screen feature that could be announced for current iPad models as early as WWDC in a few weeks.
As 9to5Mac notes, a similar tool was tipped to arrive with iOS 8 only to be pulled before the release, so nothing’s guaranteed there. However, the site’s sources suggest that the split-screen mode would allow for more divisions than just side-by-side windows, depending on the app. What’s more, in order to make the larger tablet more productive, other iOS changes are said to arrive for Siri and Notification Center for better use of the extra space. Expanded multi-user support is said to be in the works too, but it won’t arrive with iOS 9 at WWDC. Instead, it’s rumored to make an appearance in the fall, when we could very well see Tim Cook & Co. finally reveal the so-called iPad Pro.
Filed under: Tablets, Software, Apple
Source: 9to5Mac
AIVAnet 