Apple Watch on watchOS 2 Hacked to Run Truly Native Apps Including ‘Canabalt’ and ‘Flappy Bird’ Clone
Since watchOS 2 was released last Monday, several developers have been tinkering with the software and have managed to get games like Canabalt and a Flappy Bird clone to run natively on the Apple Watch using frameworks like UIKit and SpriteKit, which are not available to developers for Apple Watch apps.
One of the main features Apple added to watchOS 2 is the ability for developers to create “native” apps that run on the device itself instead of the iPhone, but as it turns out, developers are restricted to using WatchKit for Apple Watch interfaces and are not able to use more advanced frameworks available on for iPhone apps like UIKit, SpriteKit, and SceneKit.
Last week, developers Steven Troughton-Smith, Adam Bell, and Jay Freeman were able to get apps using UIKit and SceneKit to run on the Apple Watch, and in the video below, endless runner Canabalt is shown running natively on the Apple Watch.
Developer Hamza Sood has also been tinkering with watchOS 2 and today tweeted that he was able to get a Flappy Bird clone to run on the Apple Watch with native SpriteKit rendering. He also took it one step further, adding both touch and Digital Crown input controls.
Hacked a Flappy Bird clone onto Apple Watch with native SpriteKit rendering, touch/crown control, SFX through speaker pic.twitter.com/U1cavXb7SN
— Hamza Sood (@hamzasood) June 16, 2015
Developers don’t yet have permission from Apple to use these frameworks for Apple Watch apps, but the hacked games give a look at what the device might be capable of in the future. WatchOS 2, set to be released in the fall, will allow developers to create native apps that are powered by the Apple Watch instead of the iPhone, but without the frameworks used in the above examples.
watchOS 2 also gives developers access to the Digital Crown, the microphone, and various sensors on the watch, including the accelerometer and heart rate monitor, which will lead to more full-featured apps later this year.
Verizon scores an exclusive with the Sony Xperia Z4v
Verizon Wireless and Sony announced today that the Experia Z4v would be coming exclusively to Verizon this summer. Very similar to the Z3+ and the Z4, the Z4v adds a much larger 3,000mAh battery as well as Qualcomm® Quick Charge 2.0 and wireless charging.
Here are some of the highlights of the Z4v
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The phone will be available in black or white and will be available this summer.
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Samsung Galaxy A8 pictures leaked
After launching the Galaxy A3, Galaxy A5 and the Galaxy A7 earlier this year, Samsung is all set to bring a new addition to the Galaxy A series. Today, the very first pictures of the Galaxy A8 have been leaked online, showing us that the handset may have the same design as the Galaxy S6. The handset was initially believed to be China-specific but is now expected to be launched in various markets across Europe and Asia.
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As far as the specifications are concerned, the Galaxy A8 boasts pretty high-end spec’s. The Galaxy A8 is supposed to have 5.7 inch Super AMOLED display with a screen resolution of 1080*1920 pixels. For RAM and memory, the phone is said to have 2GB RAM and 16GB of onboard storage with the ability to expand the storage via the included micro-SD card slot. In the optics department, the phone is supposed to have a 16-megapixel rear facing camera and a 5-megapixel front facing shooter. You would be surprised to know that this phone is also said to have the fingerprint sensor, just like the Galaxy S6. The whole package is supposed to be driven by Qualcomm’s 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615 and a 3050mAh battery, which will be sufficient for a day’s use. The handset is also slated to have 4G LTE support, which is always a good thing to have for people who like streaming online content.
The device is expected to run on Android’s Lollipop 5.1 OS with TouchWiz on top. Though from the looks of the images, the phone is likely to be on the same toned-down version of Touchwiz as the Galaxy S6. There is no official word on a release date and or pricing yet. Overall, we think that the handset is likely to be placed in the mid-range category but with advantages of having fingerprint sensor.
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LG and Nokia announce agreement on smartphone patent license
Although Nokia isn’t making smartphones by itself anymore, it still has a gigantic patent portfolio waiting to be tapped into by another company in need. In what seems like a mutually beneficial agreement, Nokia has just announced that LG Electronics has agreed to license a certain number of royalty-bearing smartphone patents from the company. The Korean technology giant is apparently the latest out of upwards of 60 licensees that are taking advantage of Nokia’s 2G, 3G and 4G mobile communication technologies. LG is also the first major smartphone OEM to take part in the licensing program since Microsoft purchased Nokia’s Devices & Services business back in 2014.
Neither LG nor Nokia have given any financial details, but it seems as though both parties remain confident that each is receiving a fair trade. Ramzi Haidamus, President of Nokia Technologies, explains:
We are pleased to welcome LG Electronics to our licensing program. We’ve worked constructively with LG Electronics and agreed a mutually beneficial approach, including the use of independent arbitration to resolve any differences. This agreement sets the scene for further collaboration between our companies in future.
Other terms are remaining confidential for the time being, and the details of the royalty payments will be cleared up within a year or two.
Best gifts for Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day! Credit: Shutterstock.com
Father’s Day is just around the corner, but some of you may still be scrambling to find the perfect gift to make this weekend that much more special. This year, it might be time to shy away from the usual Father’s Day trope of neck ties or cuff links and let your Dad’s geeky side shine through, and we’re here to help. From the cool toys to the more practical daily use devices, we have it all in this roundup of the best tech gifts for Father’s Day!
But enough talk, let’s get down to the dad business. Here’s our list of best gifts for Father’s Day 2015!
Pebble Steel
Made with a marine-grade stainless steel, the Pebble Steel comes with a more conventional look when compared to its predecessor, and continues to bring some impressive functionality to the smartwatch game. The latest Pebble device does a great job with notification consolidation while giving you some access to your favorite applications directly on your wrist, helping to reduce the need to pull your smartphone out of your pocket all the time. The watch is also waterproof, and offers the longest battery life you can get when compared to the current crop of smartwatches. While not the latest smartwatch on the block, the Pebble Steel remains a great option! Check out our full Pebble Steel review here.
LG Watch Urbane
The LG Watch Urbane brings with it the luxury appeal that traditional watch enthusiasts will appreciate. While at the higher end of the price spectrum, the Watch Urbane is worth every penny, with its premium design and build quality, great performance and battery life, a slew of hardware features, and everything that Android Wear brings to the table. LG has set the standard when it comes to great looking smartwatches, and the the Watch Urbane is certainly a fantastic gift idea. Don’t forget to check out our full LG Watch Urbane review here.
Moto X 2014
The Moto X (2014) took everything we loved about the original and made it even better to more effectively compete with the current crop of Android flagships, while offering the great user experience that we’ve come to expect. What Motorola offers with its latest flagship goes beyond just specifications and features though, with the ability to completely customize the color and material choices making this device a fantastic gift this Father’s Day. With the price of this flagship also falling, there was never a better time to buy the Moto X (2014), and if your Dad is due for a smartphone upgrade, this is definitely the device you should consider. See the comprehensive Moto X (2014) review here.
Aukey Bluetooth 4.1 earbuds
There are not a whole lot of good options if you’re looking for a wireless Bluetooth headset at an affordable price point, but Aukey addresses that need with their Bluetooth 4.1 compatible wireless earbuds, without compromising on audio quality. These earphones come with comfortable in-ear design and multiple ear bud and hook size options to help get the perfect setup, and offer up to 4.5 hours of usage while on the go. From casual to active, these earphones are ideal for any lifestyle, so help your Dad cut the cord this Father’s Day with the Aukey wireless Bluetooth headset!
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones
The M-Series ATH-M40x professional monitor headphones are tuned flat for incredibly accurate audio monitoring across an extended frequency range, and is engineered with pro-grade materials and robust construction This is a great choice if your Dad works in a studio, and the M40x excels in professional studio tracking and mixing, with the experience enhanced with superior sound isolation, along with the availability of swiveling earcups for convenient one-ear monitoring. Be it for professional use or for the casual listener, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is one of the best pairs of headphones you can get your hands on in this price range.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4
While launched almost a year ago, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is still one the best compact Android tablets available. Boasting a gorgeous display, great specifications, and a software experience that continues to improve with the tablet recently receiving the official update to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, this tablet delivers in terms of performance, while being packed with all the features and extras Samsung is known for. The Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is still a great option for those in the market for a sleek and compact media-consumption companion, and a great gift choice for this weekend. See our comprehensive review here.
Kindle Fire HD 6
The Amazon Fire HD 6 is another great addition to the company’s popular tablet line. With a sharp 6-inch display and decent specifications, this extremely compact tablet may be exactly what your father may need, allowing him to enjoy everything that the Amazon ecosystem has to offer. This is one of the most powerful tablets you can get priced at under a $100, and is a great choice for those on a budget.
Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 USB charger
While USB chargers may not be the flashiest of gifts, they are certainly practical. Officially licensed and certified to use Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 Technology applied to one out of the 5 available ports, the Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 USB Wall Charger allows you the option to charge compatible devices up to 75% faster than a standard charger. Multiple built-in safeguards are available to fully protect against over-current, overcharging, and overheating for safe and fast charging. Of course, this charger can be used to charge older devices as well, and is a great gift if your father is a frequent traveler who carries multiple devices with him.
Anker car jumpstarter/external battery
We all know the advantage of having a portable power bank on hand during those long road trips to keep your smartphones and tablets charged on the go. What if the same device could help jump start you car battery during as well? That is now a possibility, with the Anker car jump starter and portable power bank combo. This device can prove to be a great companion during an emergency, with it able to jump start your 3L gas or 2.5L diesel vehicle engine around 15 times with 400A peak current, while ensuring total protection against reverse polarity, surges, and short circuits. Two USB ports allows you to use the 10,000 mAh battery to charge multiple smartphones and tablets at once as well. The device is also compact and portable, and unlike other bulky jump starters, can comfortably fit in your glove box, and is light enough to carry around in a bag.
KMASHI 10000mAh external battery
Removable batteries are becoming more and more of a rarity with the current crop of smartphones, and external power banks are the way to go for power users on the go that are worried about their device batteries dying. One great option is the KMASHI external power bank, with its 10,000 mAh capacity more than enough to fully charge most devices at least a couple of times. Two USB ports lets you charge more than once smartphone or tablet simultaneously, and the power bank comes with overcharge and short circuit protection. This stylish and compact external power bank is another nice and practical gift choice for this upcoming special day that anyone will appreciate.
Chromecast
The Google Chromecast HDMI streaming stick lets you stream your online video and music to your TV from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, with support for Android and iOS devices and Chrome for Mac and Windows. Setup is very easy, and all you need to do is plug the device into the HDMI port of the TV, connect it to your Wi-Fi network and follow some very basic setup instructions. There’s also a number of great services that offer support for Chromecast, with tons of new apps and services adding support all the time.
Nexus Player
The Nexus Player is Google’s full-fledged Android-powered set-top box, going beyond what the Chromecast offers. Running the new Android TV platform, this device gives you access to movie, TV, and gaming recommendations based on your history. You can use the included remote to navigate through the menus, or simply voice search from the remote to find what you’re looking for. This device comes Google Cast ready, and if you don’t have your remote, you always have the option to just use your phone. Streaming content also syncs across your phone, tablet, and Nexus Player so you can start a movie on your TV, then finish it in bed on your tablet later.
Nest thermostat
The 2nd Generation Nest Learning Thermostat has a new, slimmer design, with a solid stainless steel ring, and works with most low voltage systems. The Nest Thermostat learns what temperatures you like, turns itself down when you’re away, and can be controlled from anywhere over Wi-Fi using your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The Nest thermostat can help you save up to 215% on your electricity bills by learning from your daily usage and automatically programming itself.
Syma X5C-1 drone
The Symca X5C-1 drone comes with a 6-axis system that allows the quadcopter to be hand launched, and allows for strong stability, the ability to easily implement various flight movements, stronger wind resistance, and easier control. The replaceable 600 mAh battery allows for 5 – 8 minutes of flight time, and the the 4 GB memory card that is included allows you to take up to 800 pictures or half an hour of video with the in-built HD camera of the device. Drones are the in thing this year, and is certainly a cool gift idea for your techie dad this Father’s Day.
Photive HYDRA rugged speaker
The Photive Hydra is a great wireless Bluetooth speaker, which, as the name implies, is water resistant. The device is also dust and shock resistant, courtesy of its IP66 rating. These wireless speakers user Bluetooth to connect to your laptop, smartphone, or tablet from which you can play your audio, and can provide up to 8 hours of music playback from a single charge. The compact device comes equipped with two 40 mm drivers and a passive sub-woofer for some extra bass, and also features a built-in microphone and speakerphone, allowing you to answer calls through it.
Happy shopping!
dbrand offering site-wide 25% off sale for 24 hours, new bamboo skins now available
If you’re tired of the look and feel of your current smartphone and aren’t too keen on cases, perhaps a smartphone skin could help refresh the look of your handset. There are multiple companies that offer a variety of skins out there, but there’s one company who seems to stand out above the rest. dbrand, the folks who brought us those awesome Google X Edition skins awhile back, have just announced a fancy new skin that closely resembles the look and feel of bamboo. The company partnered up with 3M to make these skins, and they’re available now for select devices. Take a look at some of the images below to get a better look.
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Not a fan of the bamboo skins? That’s okay, because the company is also hosting a site-wide 25% off sale! The promotion is only available until tomorrow, so you’ll need to hurry if you want to save some cash on some awesome products.
Speaking from experience, dbrand has consistently offered great quality products, impressive customer service and some of the cheapest prices on the internet. If you’re interested in checking out the bamboo skins or any others, head to the link below.
Etsy launches crowdfunding service to help sellers
Sometimes launching a product on Etsy involves more than just reclaiming some wood or hoarding mason jars and burlap. Occasionally you need capital for new tools, expansion or hiring new employees. To help the sellers that are aiming higher than just putting a bird on something, Etsy is launching Fund on Etsy, a crowdfunding pilot program. The program is meant to help current sellers expand their Etsy businesses. It’s a bit like Kickstarter but within the Etsy ecosystem. The pilot began today in the United States with a few campaigns already live on the site. It will run until August 16 and at that point the company will look at seller and buyer feedback to determine what its next steps should be.
While giving buyers the chance to help grow the stores of their favorite sellers, crowdfunding programs are rife with problems including missed shipping dates, backers never receiving their promised goods and some campaigns just taking the money and disappearing (something the FTC is now taking very seriously). According to Etsy’s FAQ, backers are not protected by the company’s buyer protection program: “By funding a campaign, you are entering into a direct agreement with the seller. Etsy is not liable for any loss or damage that may occur with your use of Fund on Etsy.” We’ve reached out to Etsy about what sort of recourse backers have if a seller fails to deliver and will update this article with its response.
Source: Etsy
Fairphone’s next ‘ethical smartphone’ is modular for easy repair
Smartphones are great, but oftentimes it’s not so much fun for the people who have to source the raw materials and build the hardware. That’s why Fairphone exists: It’s an “ethical” smartphone that promises that its devices have been made with the utmost respect for both the environment and human rights. Now, the company is showcasing its second-generation handset that boasts a modular design, enabling would-be owners to easily swap out older components without having to buy a new phone. See? Ethical and thrifty.
The Fairphone 2 is the company’s first wholly original device, and was crafted with one eye on ending the bi-annual cycle of buying a new phone. Each of the internal modules are self-contained, which means that when it’s time, say, for a camera upgrade, it should be possible for a user to just install it in an afternoon. When it comes time for a replacement display, you simply pull away the Gorilla Glass-coated 5-inch screen and digitizer module and screw in a fresher one. Very few of the components have been glued or soldered in, either, so the Fairphone 2 would likely get a high score from the team at iFixit.
When we talk about “ethical” devices, you probably imagine a smartphone made out of hemp that communicates with the internet via a series of trained letter-carrying Owls. Thankfully, the company understands that the slab can’t be a slouch in the performance department, and has equipped it with a Snapdragon 801. Rounding out the spec list is 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and an 8-megapixel primary camera. It’ll suit travelers too, since it comes with dual SIM card slots and a long-lasting 2,420mAh removable battery.
The company has pledged that the tin and tantalum required for the Fairphone 2 come from a conflict-free source in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company will use the profits from its sales to boost a worker-controlled welfare fund in China, as well as boosting an electronic waste recycling program that it founded in Ghana. Unfortunately, the phone doesn’t go on sale until the Fall, and it’ will first launch in Europe for €525 ($590) — a small price to pay for a clear conscience, and a device that could last a decade.
Filed under: Mobile
Source: Fairphone
Big news outlets are researching drones at Virginia Tech
CNN already announced its intent to make drones part of news coverage. It’s not the only media outlet looking to leverage the UAVs, though, as a group of 15 other companies are partnering with Virginia Tech to conduct trials of their own. The university’s facility in Bealeton, Virginia is one of the FAA’s approved test sites outside of Washington, DC. The group of media companies includes the Associated Press, Getty Images, Reuters, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Gannett (USA Today) NBCUniversal, Univision and others. The group worked with the National Press Photographers Association to create guidelines for the trials. “The research testing we are initiating will provide the news media coalition a safe and innovative way to gather and disseminate information and keep journalists out of harm’s way,” said Rose Mooney, executive director of the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership. The testing began today and will examine the use of drones for various settings, including both remote and urban locations.
[Image credit: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Filed under: Misc
AMD’s latest video cards include a liquid-cooled beast, the R9 Fury X
Only a few weeks after NVIDIA debuted its latest high-end card, the GTX 980 Ti, AMD is now showing off its latest wares. And if you’re looking for a powerful video card, your decision just got a lot more complicated. Leading the pack is AMD’s new R9 Fury X, a liquid-cooled powerhouse with the company’s new “Fiji” GPU design and highest-bandwidth memory technology. At $649, it’s going head-to-head with NVIDIA’s 980 Ti. But if you don’t need all that power, there’s also the Radeon R9 390X ($429), R9 390 ($329), and R9 380 ($199), all of which offer Direct X 12 support (making them ideal for Windows 10) and enough power to let you game in 4K (though we’d imagine that’d be a stretch with the cheaper entry). And if you’re just looking something affordable, there’s also the R7 370 ($149) and R7 360 ($109), which are more focused on delivering solid 1080p gaming.
Just like NVIDIA, AMD now has new cards for just about every gaming price point. If you’ve got the dough and care about getting as much graphics power as possible, the R9 Fury X is made for you. If you want the most bang for your buck, the $329 R9 390 might be your best investment (it’s also the same price as NVIDIA’s GTX 970). AMD isn’t divulging technical details around the new cards yet, but we’re expecting to hear more later this week.
Source: AMD
AIVAnet 