Samsung starts selecting third-party designers for the Galaxy Theme Store
If you applied to Samsung to be a Theme Service partner to develop some themes for its new and upcoming smartphones and tablets, you may want to check your inbox as the South Korean company has just started reviewing and selecting third-party designers.
A leaked copy of an email that’s being sent out to those who have been successful has appeared online and explains the preliminary procedures required before Samsung delivers the Theme Editor for Galaxy devices to the designer who can then start developing themes and uploading them to the Galaxy Theme Store.
Now that Samsung has started assembling a theme team, it shouldn’t be too much longer until there is a variety of different skins to choose from for our device.
Via: SamMobile
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The OnePlus One is discounted to $249 in flash sales this week
Today is June 1st, but so far OnePlus hasn’t announced the new product that it teased a few days ago. But if you are still interested in buying the OnePlus One handset, the news that OnePlus have cut the price of the 16GB and 64GB versions should stir more legitimate excitement than its campaign to take back the #NeverSettle hashtag.
OnePlus has announced that it will be holding a number of flash sales, with the 16GB Silk White version reduced to $249 (£179) and the 64GB Sandstone Black version down to $249 (£219). Because this is OnePlus, you should already know that taking advantage of this price cut will involve luck, perseverance and good timing. The flash sales will be held on the following days:
Daily Sale Schedule:
June 1 – 12:00 GMT (8 am EST)
June 2 – 2:00 GMT (10 pm EST -1 day)
June 3 – 12:00 GMT (8 am EST)
June 4 – 2:00 GMT (10 pm EST -1 day)
June 5 – 12:00 GMT (8 am EST)
June 6 – 2:00 GMT (10 pm EST -1 day)
June 7 – 12:00 GMT (8 am EST)
It should be noted that the sales are on a first come, first served basis with limited stock available. At the time of writing the 16GB version was sold out, with the promise of more stock arriving soon while the 64GB version was still available to order. Does the price cut raise your interest in the OnePlus One handset? Let us know in the comments.
Source: OnePlus
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Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge “Ok Google” from any screen feature returning
The “Ok Google” feature on the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge seems to be reappearing for some users, as Google is in the process of rolling out a update to fix the problem. The voice command from any screen has been missing since launch, and has progressively gotten more widespread since then.
Google is releasing a fix for the issue right now, saying that there was an incompatibility with Samsung’s S Voice. In other words, if you want to use “Ok Google” anywhere on your device, that means the S Voice hotword is going to be disabled everywhere, except when the screen is turned off.
It does take time for updates like these to rollout, so in the meantime, a Community Manager on Google’s Product Forums suggests making sure you have the latest version of the Google Search App installed to get the hotfix as soon as possible.
It appears that what caused the issue was some of Google’s engineers smoothing out some incompatibility problems with the device, and “Ok Google” not working was a unintended result of that.
source: Google Product Forums
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New ASUS tablet cover offers 5.1 surround sound speakers
ASUS has announced a handful of new tablet covers for their ZenPad 8.0, including a crazy 5.1 surround sound speaker system integrated into a case. The case contains 6 speakers for that full surround sound experience, and can run for up to 6 hours on a single charge.
It’s definitely a unique case, but for someone that watches tons of movies on their tablets it’s a fantastic idea.
ASUS also announced a few other cases at Computex, including a power case with a built-in battery, a Zen case that comes in multiple colors, and a fashion cover that makes the ZenPad 8.0 look like a clutch.
Too bad we never got this kind of accessory support from ASUS with the Nexus 7.
source: Engadget
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Google launches My Account for security and privacy controls
While Google’s ATAP team is working on Project Abacus, which aims to bring more security with less hassle, Google has introduced a new feature to their privacy and security settings. My Account will give you access to both the settings and tools for your Privacy and Security settings for any of your Google accounts.
From the My Account page, you can easily access your Security settings, Personal Info & Privacy settings, and your overall Account Preferences. When you log into the My Account page for the first time, you are prompted to perform a Privacy checkup and a Security checkup.
The Privacy checkup within the My Account page, basically just asks you a few panels of questions, which allow to fine tune how much information you actually want to be seen by the world. For example, you can select which profile tabs are visible to visitors on Google+, or you can choose to show your subscriptions and such via YouTube.
The Security checkup also found in the My Account page, gives you all different types of information about the devices and apps that have been connected to your account. You will be able to edit and change your recovery information, such as your recovery phone number, recovery email, and your Security question for password resets. You will also be able to view all of the recent devices that have been connected to your Google account, along with the location where the device was connected from.
The Account Permissions section, shows you all the different applications that you have linked to your Google account. Literally to the T. If some of them look suspicious, or are from a service/app that you no longer use, you can simply tap the “Remove” button and that application will no longer have access to use your Google credentials.
Finally, you can check your App Passwords, and your 2-step verification settings. This is extremely helpful to be able to go through your Google account with a fine tooth comb, and make sure that everything looks up to snuff. You can learn a lot about your account from this checklist, just by seeing all the different types of apps and services that you may or may not have linked up.
Going forward, the My Account page will be definitely useful to keep an eye on the comings and goings of my Google Account, to ensure that nothing suspicious is going on. Be sure to take some time, check this out, and make sure that all your information is what you think or expect it to be. If something looks odd, definitely get rid of it or contact Google for support.
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Nintendo’s NX console will be powered by Android – Nikkei report
Nintendo’s upcoming “NX” console will run a version of Android, according to a report from Japan’s respected Nikkei.
Nikkei is Japan’s most respected newspaper and the outlet published several accurate scoops on Nintendo in the past. With that said, this is, for now, just a rumor, albeit a plausible one.
Nintendo vowed to keep details of its next console under wraps until next year, but if the Nikkei report is accurate, a crucial detail just leaked. The publication cites an insider claiming that the NX’s operating system is “loaded with Android,” without providing any clarification on what that means.
NX is “loaded with Android”
The move, said the source, is meant to spur the adoption of the NX platform; developers have largely shunned the Wii U, but an Android-based OS could be much easier to develop for. Using Android would also give Nintendo a powerful and versatile operating system, coming after the sluggish OS it developed in-house for the Wii U.
Nintendo promised “a dedicated game platform with a brand-new concept,” but at this point, we don’t even know if the NX will be a handheld or a home console. So it’s hard to predict what form Nintendo’s Android OS will take. It’s possible though that Nintendo will try to tap into the Android ecosystem without ceding control over the platform. To do so, the company would need to fork Android, but that shouldn’t be difficult, given that a gaming platform doesn’t need Google’s apps anyway.
In potentially related news, Nintendo last month announced it would launch five new Android games over the next three years, with the first one due in 2015.
Would it be wise for Nintendo to adopt Android? Let us know your thoughts.
Google introduces new controls to help keep your sensitive information safe and private
Being able to control your privacy and security is becoming increasingly important, especially with all of the sensitive information constantly being traded around the web. That’s why today Google is rolling out two big improvements to its privacy and security tools that will help users better manage the information most important to them.
Google’s new My Account tool acts as a central hub for controlling your personal data and information, giving you access to settings that will help you safeguard your data, keep your privacy protected, and give you more control over what info is used to make Google services work better for you. Here are a few more important features My Account provides:
- Manage the information that can be used from Search, Maps, YouTube and other products to enhance your experience on Google. For example, you can turn on and off settings such as Web and App Activity, which gets you more relevant, faster search results, or Location History, which enables Google Maps and Now to give you tips for a faster commute back home.
- Use the Ads Settings tool to control ads based on your interests and the searches you’ve done.
- Control which apps and sites are connected to your account.
If you’d like to check out your My Account page, head on over to myaccount.google.com.
Additionally, Google is rolling out an informative website that will help answer common security questions that many users have been asking. By heading to privacy.google.com, users will hopefully get a better idea as to how their data affects their experience on Google, what types of data Google collects, and much more.
It seems like Google has been particularly focused on user security as of late, especially following the recent announcement that granular app permissions control is coming to Android M.
Volvo’s working on an Android Wear app that will let you control your car from your wrist
Swedish automaker Volvo has just announced that it’s now applying the finishing touches to its On Call app for Android Wear and Apple Watch.
Both applications will enable Volvo owners to remotely lock/unlock their car, switch on their heater/air conditioner and check fuel/mileage. There’s even a feature on board that can be used to locate your car in a busy parking lot.
Volvo aims to have On Call available to download on both the App and Play Store by the end of June.
Do you own a Volvo? If so, is this an app you’d like to get your hands on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Source: Volvo
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ASUS announces the ZenWatch 2 Android Wear smartwatch, comes in two sizes and three color choices
ASUS has already announced the ZenWatch 2, only 9 months after the original was unveiled. It doesn’t look all that much different, but there are some subtle differences.
The first is that you will notice a button on the side. This is actually a good thing because you now won’t always have to tap on the screen to wake it. It also provides you a quick way to get to the settings (long press) or put the watch into Theater Mode (double press).
Next up is that ASUS will offer two sizes. With most people complaining that smartwatches are too big for those with smaller wrists, this is a good move. Apple is already doing this, so it’s no surprise that one of the Android Wear manufacturers would offer the same. The larger one will measure 49 x 41 mm and will match with 22 mm bands, while the smaller one will measure 45 x 37 mm and gets paired with 18 mm bands. Speaking of bands, ASUS will offer a variety of bands consisting or rubber, leather and metal. Considering that the watch itself will be available in either Silver, Rose Gold, or Gunmetal, ASUS says there will be 18 different combinations of material and colored straps.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Another positive change is the charger, which is now magnetic, much like what LG offers for their smartwatches. Recharging time is also supposed to be much faster. Now everyone wants more battery life so they are offering something called a Chargeback battery case, which it sits under the watch to provide more battery life. This will only be available for the larger model.
Lastly, the ZenWatch 2 is more dust and waterproof than it’s predecessor. It’s now rated at IP67.
As far as the actual specs of the watch, ASUS didn’t go into much at all. It does have an AMOLED display along with 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass 3. It will have a Snapdragon processor, but we aren’t sure which one. They also didn’t show off the software since it hasn’t been finalized yet. It’s obviously Android Wear, but they will offer some enhancements that will center around their own wellness apps.
If you have your eye the ZenWatch 2, don’t pull out your wallet just yet. This one won’t get released until quarter 3, which will more than likely mean September. No pricing was mentioned, but the larger one will probably be priced about the same as the current model, which is $199.
Full Press Release:
ASUS Announces ZenWatch 2
Computex, Taipei, Taiwan (1st June, 2015) — ASUS today announced ZenWatch 2, a stylish and personalized wearable device powered by Android Wear and produced in partnership with Google. Crafted with absolute attention to detail using high-quality materials, ZenWatch 2 is a precision watch that serves as a smart companion to Android smartphones, providing wearers with timely information at a glance and letting them get things done with a simple touch or voice command.
ZenWatch 2 is designed to be a truly personal device that wearers can customize even further to express their unique sense of style. Available in two sizes and three stainless-steel case colors, with 18 different strap material and color combinations, and instantly-changeable and customized watch faces along with an app that lets wearers design their own, there is truly a ZenWatch 2 for everyone.
ZenWatch 2 builds upon the original ZenWatch, offering an even more refined design, an improved user experience, and the introduction of completely new functionality. ZenWatch 2 now includes a metal watch crown, enhancing the user experience by a providing new way to interact with the watch. It also comes with an all-new magnetic charger that features effortless attachment and dramatically improved battery recharge times.
Combining sophisticated sensors with all-day comfort, ZenWatch 2 works together with the all-new Wellness smartphone app to serve as a personal activity and fitness manager to help users keep their lives in balance and achieve personal fitness goals.
Fine watch craftsmanship
ASUS ZenWatch 2 continues the tradition of fine watch craftsmanship with its impeccable, detail-focused design and high-quality construction. ZenWatch 2 features a durable stainless-steel case available in two sizes —— and attractive Silver, Gunmetal and Rose Gold colors to comfortably fit anyone’s wrist and sense of style. A metal crown adorns the case, echoing traditional watch styling and providing a convenient new way to interact with ZenWatch 2. The watch crystal is designed with a gentle curve for an elegant look and improved usability by providing a smooth surface for easy and responsive swiping gestures. It is made from tough Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 for protection against scratches and damage.
ZenWatch 2 is available with a wide-range of straps in a variety of materials and colors for further personalization. A tough yet supple rubber strap comes in Blue, Orange, Red, and Taupe colors, and is the perfect choice for athletes, people with active lifestyles, or those who like a more casual look. A soft, premium leather strap is available in Khaki, Brown, Gray, Blue, and Orange colors, providing an elegant look that fits any situation. A stainless-steel link bracelet comes in Silver, Gunmetal or Rose Gold colors to perfectly match ZenWatch 2’s case colors for a bold, luxury watch look and feel. ASUS has also partnered with Swarovski® Professional to produce a gorgeous leather strap with an embossed diamond pattern and tastefully accented with Swarovski crystals.
Complementing its physical design, ZenWatch 2 comes with instantly-changeable software watch faces. The variety of available designs lets users easily customize their watch to fit any style, mood, or occasion, such as using a traditional, elegant watch face for work or a night out, or changing to a more playful design for use during leisure time. Wearers can even create their own custom watch faces in the new Watch Face Land app for a truly personal and unique ZenWatch 2 experience.
Smart companion
ASUS ZenWatch 2 is powered by the latest version of Android Wear and serves as a smart companion for Android phones by extending functionality and providing wearers with a convenient window to view incoming calls, messages, notifications, and other important information, without having to remove their phone from their pocket or bag. ASUS ZenWatch introduced many exclusive features including deep ASUS ZenUI integration, FoneHelper, activity and fitness tracking, and Remote Camera. ASUS ZenWatch 2 improves upon every aspect of the original ZenWatch experience and offers completely new functionality that takes the wearable experience to the next level.
Enhanced Remote Camera — one of the most popular features of ZenWatch — lets wearers display their smartphone’s camera viewfinder remotely right on their wrist. This frees them to take photos from creative angles where the viewfinder would be difficult to see, such as when holding the phone overhead at a concert or other crowded event. Remote Camera is also useful for group photos, letting the photographer compose the photo, release the shutter, and check the final result while being included in the shot. Remote Camera has been improved for ZenWatch 2, offering faster performance, more range, the ability to switch between the phone’s front and rear cameras, and zoom capability.
In addition to software improvements, ZenWatch 2 has numerous hardware design improvements that enhance functionality and provide a more convenient user experience. With an IP67 water-resistance rating, ZenWatch 2 is designed to be worn all day, everyday, even in the shower or during exercise. An all-new magnetic charger effortlessly attaches to ZenWatch 2 and offers dramatically improved battery recharge times.
Next-gen Wellness app
Comfortable to wear all day and built with sophisticated sensors, ASUS ZenWatch 2 works together with the completely redesigned Wellness smartphone app to provide a comprehensive solution for managing fitness and overall wellness.
ZenWatch 2 is a full-featured activity tracker that provides additional tracking functionality tailored for activities such as running and cycling.
The next-gen Wellness app lets ZenWatch 2 wearers view all of their activity information in one convenient location. It displays progress towards goals as well as activity summaries with attractive graphs that are easy to interpret and analyze, and can be used to set future fitness goals.
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Asus announces ZenPad S 8.0 and three other tablets at Computex 2015
Today at Computex, ASUS announced the ZenPad S 8.0, along with three other tablet solutions. Today is a big day for Taiwanese manufacturer, already revealing the ZenWatch 2 this morning.
Asus’ Zen line has seen quite a bit of popularity, whether it be in their smartphones, laptops or smartwatches. Now, the company is capitalizing off of that popularity and creating a new tablet brand, the ZenPad line, which will include 7-inch, 8-inch, and 10.1-inch solutions. Not only that, but each of the four announced tablets will have their own LTE model.
ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580CA)
The 8-inch tablet (pictured above) is a high-end solution, featuring a gorgeous 2,048 x 1,536 (324-ppi) IPS display. As you might see in a lot of Asus’ recent devices, packed inside the ZenPad 8.0 S is a 64-bit Intel Atom Z3580, paired with 4GB of RAM. Between the display and the performance-grade hardware, users should experience nothing but speed and efficiency with this new solution from Asus.
Some other bits and pieces you can find in this particular tablet are a 8-megapixel snapper on the back, a 5-megapixel solution on the front, 16GB or 32GB base storage options, a USB-C slot, and a 15.2Wh battery. The inclusion of USB-C will be interesting to see down the road with Android M’s USB Type-C features. In the meantime, the ZenPad S 8.0 is running Android 5.0 Lollipop with Asus’ standard Zen UI.
ZenPad 8.0 (Z380)
Asus’ ZenPad 8.0 is largely a budget solution, touting a sub-par 8.0″ 1280×800 IPS LCD panel, an Intel Atom x3 processor, 1 or 2GB RAM options, 8GB or 16GB base storage options, a 5-megapixel rear camera, a 15.2Wh battery, and Android 5.0 Lollipop.
The ZenPad 8.0 does feature an array of accessories that not only look nice, but also add some much needed features. Asus says the Zen Case will be available in “five sleek or vivid colors and features a fine leather texture.” Users wanting more protection will want to opt for the Zen Clutch, a “sophisticated carrying and protection solution for ZenPad 8.” There’s also the Audio Cover and Power Case, adding 5.1-channel surround speakers and an extra 15 hours of battery life, respectively.
ASUS hasn’t mentioned anything about pricing or availability just yet, so it’ll certainly be awhile before we see any of their tablets in stores, much like how long it took users to get their hands on the ZenFone 2, especially in the US.
You can check out the rest of Asus’ announced tablets in the press release by hitting the source link below. What do you think of this new line of tablets from Asus? It’s exciting to see them offering solutions all over the spectrum–from high-end to low-end. There’s nearly a tablet for everybody here. Be sure to let us know in the comments.
source: Asus
Come comment on this article: Asus announces ZenPad S 8.0 and three other tablets at Computex 2015
AIVAnet 