Motorola delays Moto 360 software update because it’s “not quite there yet”
The software update hitting Android Wear devices around the world has yet to make it to the Moto 360. Motorola does have a reason for that. An owner of the smartwatch concerned with the software update’s status asked the company what was going on. The company responded on Twitter by saying that “performance is not quite there yet.” However, Motorola is actively working with Google to ensure the update arrives soon without any bugs.
@davidcstevens_ Performance is not quite there yet. We’re working with Google to ensure the software works great on #Moto360. Thanks.
— Motorola Mobility (@Motorola) June 3, 2015
Another job well done by Motorola for being so transparent.
Source: Motorola (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Motorola delays Moto 360 software update because it’s “not quite there yet”
Nest to hold press conference on June 17
Nest is planning on holding a press conference on June 17, when we may hear about new products the company will be introducing. Right now, the Google-owned home automation company only has a thermostat and smoke detector in their product lineup, in addition to the rights to security camera company Dropcam.
There’s no additional info besides the fact that they are actually holding the press conference, so stay tuned to TA on June 17 to hear more.
Source: The Verge
Come comment on this article: Nest to hold press conference on June 17
Facebook Lite released to more markets today
Facebook and Google Chrome are synonymous in one, irritating and annoying way for mobile devices and desktops. They eat too much RAM and run ridiculously slow sometimes. Today, Facebook announced, and released, Facebook Lite to more emerging markets after the initial run in January.
Facebook Lite is designed with those in developing areas, which usually are limited to 2G speeds. Also, Facebook Lite is to work better for those who have limited data caps, and can’t have the regular Facebook app constantly refreshing and eating up all of your data.
More than a billion people around the world access Facebook from a range of mobile devices on varying networks. In many areas, networks can be slow and not able to support all the functionality found in Facebook for Android. Facebook Lite was built for these situations, giving people a reliable Facebook experience when bandwidth is at a minimum.
Once downloaded, users will still have access to most of Facebooks major features, such as the News Feed, status updates, and photos. However, with a download size of less than 1MB in space, Facebook Lite also doesn’t leave a large footprint on your device. This is helpful for either devices that are already limited in storage, or if you just want to trim down on how much storage apps are using.
As of today, Facebook Lite began rolling out to countries in Asia, and will become available in Latin America, Africa, and Europe in the coming weeks. If you want to give this new app a whirl, check out the widget below, and test it out for yourself.
The post Facebook Lite released to more markets today appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Poke monster heads and solve puzzles in VR with ‘GNOG’ on PS4
GNOG is a weird game from a strange studio, which is probably why it’s attracted the attention of both Sony and Double Fine, the company behind Broken Age and other big-name indie games. GNOG is a colorful, quirky game that turns giant monster heads into puzzle boxes, and it’s coming to PlayStation 4 and the accompanying Morpheus virtual reality headset in 2016, Director Saleem Dabbous announced today. The game is part of Double Fine Presents, an indie support program that includes Gang Beasts, Escape Goat 2 and Last Life, and it’s getting help from Sony’s Pub Fund program, which helps finance games for Sony platforms.
“It’s something we’re incredibly excited to be able to realize, thanks to the Sony Pub Fund program, and we think it’s a game that you’ll really lose yourself in if you’re a fan of puzzles, adventures, cool art and chill music,” Dabbous writes. “We’re also super honored to be part of the Double Fine Presents label and to have the good folks at DF helping us with production support and design feedback.”
GNOG isn’t a one-trick monster-pony: It’s also still heading to Steam (PC, Mac and Linux) and iOS after the PS4 launch. But of course, with Morpheus on PS4, it’s going to be an actual head-turner.
Source: PlayStation Blog
Samsung reportedly working on a Galaxy S5 Neo, Exynos processor in tow
Samsung is no stranger to releasing new smartphone variants just about every month, oftentimes recycling its familiar design language and just changing around the internals. Last year we saw the release of the Galaxy S3 Neo, a repurposed Galaxy S3 proper with slightly different specifications. It looks like the company is looking to continue that trend with last year’s flagship, according to a new rumor from the folks at SamMobile.
Samsung is reportedly gearing up to launch the Galaxy S5 Neo, which will feature mostly identical specifications to the S5 proper, with only a few notable changes. The device will feature a 5.1-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, 16GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, a 16MP rear-facing camera and a 2800mAh battery. Even the dimensions will be the exact same as the S5 – 142×72.5×8.1mm and 145 grams. Instead of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 801 processor, though, the S5 Neo will feature a 1.6GHz 64-bit octa-core Exynos 7580 processor, a Mali-T720 GPU, and an upgraded 5MP front-facing camera. Both camera sensors will reportedly be provided by Samsung.
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The new device will come in both single-SIM (SM-G903F) and dual-SIM (SM-G903FD) variants. The report states that the dual-SIM model may be released in markets such as India, China and Russia, and will feature LTE-A connectivity. Both variants will run Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, though the author wasn’t sure whether or not the newest version of Samsung’s TouchWiz UI would make it to the new handset. No pricing or availability information was given in the report.
Seeing as how the company probably has a few extra Galaxy S5 units hanging around due to the handset’s poor sales, rebranding the device as the S5 Neo might be a good way to get rid of some extra units. We’ll let you know if we hear anything more about this handset.
AltConf Barred From Streaming WWDC Keynote, Developer Sessions [Mac Blog]
For several years running, AltConf has been held at the same time as Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, giving developers who did not get a ticket to attend WWDC a place to go to meet up and mingle.
Content streamed live from Apple, including developer sessions and keynote events, has been shown at AltConf in past years, but this year, Apple has barred AltConf from streaming video content from the Worldwide Developers Conference.
In a press release, AltConf notified attendees that it had received a letter from Apple’s legal representatives, preventing it from showing Monday’s keynote event and video sessions from WWDC. Apple’s letter said that the company “exercises control over not only the content of its messaging, but also the manner in which those messages are packaged, distributed, and delivered.”
AltConf’s streaming of Apple content “would strip Apple of exclusive control over one of the most anticipated events of the year, and could deprive Apple of potential revenue generated from its exclusive rights.” Thus, AltConf must “refrain from publicly streaming or showing any WWDC content. Apple further demands that AltConf and each of its organizers refrain from reproducing or distributing any WWDC content belonging to Apple, in any manner.”
It is not clear why Apple has decided to crack down on AltConf’s plan to stream WWDC content as AltConf has been able to do so in the past, but this is the first year that AltConf has offered a paid ticket option. AltConf sold a limited number of $300 tickets providing “guaranteed seating at speaker sessions and a swag bag.”
According to AltConf’s note, the conference’s organizers are hoping to come to an agreement with Apple that will allow them to share WWDC content. As an alternative, AltConf will show developer sessions from Google I/O, Microsoft’s Build, NSConference, 360 iDev, and 360 iDev, and UIKonf in its viewing rooms, and it will also include sessions with various speakers. Live blogs will be displayed during the keynote instead of Apple’s live stream, and there will be a “keynote reaction panel” from iMore.
Apple Still Negotiating With Music Labels Over Streaming Terms Days Before WWDC Launch
Days before Apple is expected to announce its rebranded and revamped version of Beats Music at WWDC, the Cupertino company is still negotiating terms with music labels, reports Bloomberg. Last month, it was also reported that the two sides had not reached a deal.
The labels are pushing to get a larger chunk of revenue than they receive under their current deals with Spotify Ltd., a competing streaming service, people familiar with the negotiations said. Both sides want to complete a deal before Apple’s June 8 annual event in San Francisco for more than 5,000 developers, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the talks are continuing.
Currently, labels receive 55% of Spotify’s $9.99 monthly rate while publishers take 15%. Music labels are hoping to take closer to 60% from Apple, according to the report. Previously, rumors have suggested that Apple was seeking an agreement that allow it to offer a streaming music service to customers for $7.99 a month rather than the standard $9.99 rate. However, Apple was forced to back down after record labels resisted the change.
Additionally, Apple has allegedly been urging music labels to cease offering licenses for freemium tiers that Spotify and other music services offer as the Cupertino company does not plan to offer a free tier with its new streaming service. These efforts have earned Apple scrutiny from government organizations like the European Commission and U.S. Department of Justice, as the two groups are said to be looking into Apple’s negotiations.
It’s likely Apple still plans to unveil its new streaming service at WWDC, as the two sides want to complete a deal before June 8’s keynote address. The new Music app is said to include the rebranded streaming service, a revamped version of iTunes Radio and traditional downloaded music. Apple also plans to offer exclusive content, like behind-the-scenes video from recording sessions. Artists will also get their own pages where they can host videos, songs and other content for free as part of a program called Apple Connect, with Apple compensating the artists and labels for songs they give away.
Motorola says performance issues are delaying the Moto 360’s Android Wear 5.1.1 update
Motorola’s Moto 360 still has yet to receive the big update to Android Wear 5.1.1, and apparently that’s for good reason. According to a recent tweet sent out by Motorola Mobility in response to a curious 360 owner, the update still isn’t ready for the Wear device because of performance issues. No specifics were called out in the tweet, so we’re not quite sure what exactly is holding Motorola back from unleashing the update.
@davidcstevens_ Performance is not quite there yet. We’re working with Google to ensure the software works great on #Moto360. Thanks.
— Motorola Mobility (@Motorola) June 3, 2015
Of course, many owners will be upset that their devices haven’t gotten the update, but it’s good that Motorola is working with Google to fix the issues before sending it out to the masses.
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For those unaware, Android Wear 5.1.1 brings many new features, including the ability to set always-on applications, new gestures for scrolling through Google Now cards, and a much more refined contacts/app menu. The update also brings Wi-Fi support, allowing compatible devices to receive notifications, as long as your watch and your phone are both connected to a Wi-Fi network. This update is the biggest one since Android Wear’s inception, so hopefully Motorola can get things sorted out in a timely fashion.
Pebble Time’s iOS app hasn’t been approved by Apple yet
The iOS faithful who already received their shiny new Pebble Time smartwatches are likely more than a little disappointed. The wearable is shipping to Kickstarter backers, but there’s one big problem: the Pebble Time Watch iOS app hasn’t been approved by Apple yet. Despite pushing minor bug fixes for approval on May 22nd, and asking that the folks in Cupertino fast-track the request, the software needed to get the gadget up and running isn’t in the App Store. Even though a version of the app was approved on May 18th, it can’t be released “due to quirks in the App Store submission process and rules.”
The company says it considered adding features for the Time to the existing Pebble iPhone app, but a new version of that software has been waiting on approval for over a month. For now, Pebble advises owners to find a pal with an Android device to sort the initial setup, and to bug Apple about the issue. You still won’t be able to leverage any apps that require the device to be paired with a smartphone, though, and that’s a major bummer.
We reached out to Apple on the matter and we’ll be sure to update this post if he hear back.
Filed under: Wearables, Software, Mobile, Apple
Via: The Verge
Source: Kickstarter
Sony releases SmartBand 2 companion app to the Play Store ahead of official unveiling
Sony’s first generation SmartBand activity tracker was pretty popular amongst the fitness-minded community, so it only makes sense that the company would make a second generation device. Although the new device hasn’t been officially announced, it seems as though we’re getting an early look at the company’s SmartBand 2, thanks to the official companion app launching in the Play Store earlier today.
The Play Store listing has since been taken down, but luckily the folks over at Xperia Blog grabbed a few screenshots while the page was still live. According to the images from the Play Store, the SmartBand 2 SWR12 will come with a heart rate monitor on the underside of the wearable, a feature that was notably missing from the first generation band. One of the screenshots even reads “The SmartBand measures your pulse at an even rate throughout the day”, which further confirms the existence of a heart rate sensor. There’s also a Smart Wake Up mode that will help to wake you up smoothly, rather than jolting you awake like with an alarm clock.
The application also tells us that the SmartBand 2 is optimized for Xperia devices, and that “functionality may not be optimal when using SmartBand 2 with other smartphones”. We still have yet to hear anything official from Sony, but we can’t imagine that the launch is too far off. We’ll keep you posted if we hear anything else regarding the new SmartBand 2.
AIVAnet 