Diving into Android M: RRO layers in Android M
Earlier today we reported that Google’s Android M preview supports theming — sort of. While certainly not a marquee feature of M, it is technically possible to install Runtime Resource Overlay (RRO) themes in stock Android M with the aid of root and an app like Layers Manager. While we are still playing around with RRO themes and Android M, we wanted to post a few screenshots that show it is very much working.
For those wanting to try this out for themselves, we did put together a quick root guide for those that need a little help.
Want to dive even deeper? Check out our full “Diving into M” series by clicking here.
As you can see in the screenshots above, themes do work and can add a little extra something to the look and feel of stock Android. That said, I did run into a few issues. First, I can’t seem to get the RRO layers to delete through the Layers app. Now I’ll admit I am sort of a newbie to RRO themes so it might just be me. Second, after all my messing around I ran into an issue where some of the text in settings and a few other places no longer show up.
Again, both problems could just be caused by my inexperience with RRO layers and fixing the issue probably won’t be too hard. I’ll be sure to update if/when I figure out what mistake I made along the way or why I can’t get layers to delete.
Regardless, the big story here is that Google appears to be making it easier to take the blank slate that is stock Android and transform it into an experience that is exactly how we want it. While not everyone loves stock, that’s one of the reasons I am a fan (though I often run devices with OEM skinned builds too): it is clean, unbloated and I can then add the apps, customizations, launchers and other tweaks needed to make my phone uniquely mine.
It remains unseen whether or not the final Android M still contains the ability to install RRO themes through root, though we certainly hope so. Going beyond this, perhaps Google may eventually bill theming as an actual feature (no root needed), though we don’t expect this anytime soon.
What do you think of the new RRO layer support in stock Android? For those that prefer skinned Android or custom ROMs, does the ability to do more customization with root in M make stock any more appealing to you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Square Enix’s Hitman: Sniper will launch in the Google Play Store tomorrow
Video game developer and publisher Square Enix has just announced that Hitman: Sniper, the followup to the popular Hitman GO game, will make its way to the Google Play Store on Thursday, June 4th. This new game will be a stark departure from the popular turn-based puzzler Hitman GO, which has been available on Android for some time now.
Hitman: Sniper will still feature Agent 47, but this time it’s your job to make your way through various assignments that will require you to use your sniper/assassination skills. The game takes place in the beautiful Montenegro on one giant map, that will allow you to take down targets from different vantage points scattered around the area. Much like Hitman GO, you’ll be able to repeat as many levels as you’d like to improve your score and reach the top of the leaderboards. Take a look at the teaser trailer below to get a better look at the new game:
Hitman: Sniper will launch tomorrow in the Play Store as a premium title, so you can expect to pay a few bucks for the new game. If you’re a fan of Hitman GO, odds are you’ll enjoy Square Enix’s newest title. We’ll be sure to let you know when the game becomes available.
Robotic vehicles find the Pacific Ocean’s deepest thermal vents
Robotic underwater vehicles from the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Research Institute just helped discover one of the Earth’s more elusive scientific treasures. Both an autonomous mapping craft and a remotely operated counterpart (which collected video and samples) traveled 12,500 feet to the bottom of Mexico’s Pescadero Basin to find the Pacific’s deepest hot hydrothermal vents. The machines achieved their feat in just two days, versus the years that it’d take for conventional undersea mapping — and they achieved the kind of detail that would likely be difficult or impossible using those earlier techniques.
You definitely wouldn’t want to visit in person, even in a craft that could survive the crushing pressure at these depths. Giant chimneys around the vents spew super-hot (660F) metallic fluids, and the only forms of life nearby are tubeworms and other critters whose symbiotic bacteria turns the vents’ toxic chemicals into sustenance. In other words, it’s not exactly a tourist attraction — robots are likely the closest you’ll get to a human presence in this unforgiving landscape.
Source: MBARI
One Chinese brand makes a quarter of the world’s wearable devices
Which company do you think is the fast-rising upstart in the wearable world? Fitbit? Jawbone? None of the above, if you ask IDC. It estimates that China’s Xiaomi claimed 24.6 percent of the wearable device market in the first quarter of 2015, which is no mean feat when the company didn’t even start shipping its first wrist-worn gadget, the Mi Band, until the second half of last year. That still amounts to just 2.8 million devices, but it was enough to shrink the market share for virtually everyone else, including industry leader Fitbit as well as Garmin, Samsung and Jawbone. And Samsung is the only smartwatch maker on the list, we’d add. LG, Motorola, Pebble and other early entrants are lumped into the “others” group.
As to why Xiaomi did so well? Analysts don’t go into detail, but the Mi Band’s thrifty $15 price no doubt helped, as did Xiaomi’s big presence in the Chinese smartphone space. The real question is whether or not it can keep that spot. While there aren’t official Apple Watch sales figures, IDC believes that it’s likely to become the benchmark for wearables, “fairly or not.” The Cupertino crew won’t necessarily knock Fitbit or Xiaomi out of their top spots, but its sheer clout could easily make it a major contender.
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Samsung
Source: IDC
Watchdog on recent IRS hack: We told them so
The IRS web portal is no digital Fort Knox, officials from IRS watchdog Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) told the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday. In fact, J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, laid out a strong critique of the tax agency’s ability to defend itself from cyber-attacks. Specifically, he cited dozens of security upgrades that had been recommended by his group — but not implemented by the agency — that would have reportedly made the most recent data breach “much more difficult” to pull off.
That breach leaked the personal information of more than 100,000 taxpayers. It’s widely believed to have been perpetrated by a multinational syndicate that exploited a vulnerability in the agency’s transcript website. “It’s beyond Russia,” George testified in response to earlier reports that the attack originated from there. “This is coming from several different countries that are syndicated around the world.”
However, he did also acknowledge the difficult position the IRS is in, attempting to balance accessibility with security. “The current technology environment has raised taxpayers’ expectations for online customer service interactions and it needs to meet these expectations.” George told the committee. “However, the risk for this type of unauthorized access to tax accounts will continue to grow as the IRS focuses its efforts on delivering taxpayers self-assisted interactive online tools.”
[Image Credit: Moment Editorial/Getty Images]
Filed under: Internet
Via: Washington Post
Source: US Treasury
Large Hadron Collider gets back to running science experiments
What’s that strange circular shape, you ask? That, friends, is what particle physics looks like when it’s getting back on track. After weeks of test runs following its return to service, the Large Hadron Collider has resumed smashing particles together for the sake of real, honest-to-goodness science experiments — those criss-crossing lines in the image above are a few of the early collisions. And this time, there’s much more energy involved. The LHC is now colliding particles at a level of 13 trillion electron volts, or nearly twice as much energy as it used before its two-year downtime. The boost will hopefully lead to physics discoveries that weren’t possible in the previous go-round, which is saying something when some past results were enough to earn a Nobel prize.
[Image credit: CERN]
Filed under: Science
Source: CERN
ZeroLemon ‘Quick Charge 2.0′ Android Charger, 50% off
If you live a busy life it can be difficult to find time to charge your phone for enough time to make a significant impact on battery life. Not anymore. The ZeroLemon ‘Quick Charge 2.0′ Android Charger replenishes compatible devices 75% faster and can provide over 8 hours of use from just 15 minutes of charging.
Portable and powerful, AndroidGuys readers can snag this essential charger, today, for just $14.99.
See more at deals.androidguys.com
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Yahoo and NFL to deliver live global broadcast
For the first time ever, everyone in the world will be able to watch an NFL game live, as it’s happening. Yahoo has partnered with the NFL to broadcast and stream this year’s edition of the NFL International Series game in London, between the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars. Now that may not seem to be the most exciting game in the world, but what’s more important, is what it means for the possibility of future broadcasts.
The NFL has always been committed to being at the forefront of media innovation. Through this partnership with Yahoo—one of the world’s most recognizable digital brands—we are taking another important step in that direction as we continue to closely monitor the rapidly evolving digital media landscape.
No specific details have been released as to how you will be able to stream the game, however, it will be available “across devices and for free.” We can only assume that you will be able to stream it regardless of the device, and with the help of one of Yahoo’s applications, or possible the official NFL application.
We’re thrilled that the NFL has chosen Yahoo for this historic opportunity. It marks a significant change in the way users can access this amazing content. The NFL and Yahoo have both long engaged football fans around the world. Our partnership provides the ultimate football experience—with digital availability, designed for the modern fan.
For those living in the specific area markets for Buffalo and Jacksonville, the game will remain available via over-the-air television, and will be televised at 9:30 AM EST. At least you won’t have to worry about any blackout restrictions, or anything of that nature.
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Terminator Genisys: Revolution now available
Competing against a host of other franchise movies coming out this summer, the companion game for Terminator Genisys managed to score some points as the first app listed in the Google Play Store for pre-registration. Terminator Genisys: Revolution first popped up almost a month ago with a “Pre-register” button that enabled users to sign up to be notified of the game’s availability. That time has come as developer Glu has released the title for installation on Android devices.
The game is a third-person shooter in which the player helps John Conner make a new fate in the battle against Skynet and its army of machines. Players will have hundreds of missions available to them as they battle against all sorts of enemy machines.
Terminator Genisys: Revolution is free, but does offer in-app purchases. As an inducement for fans to install the app, Glu is offering a special welcome pack for anyone who installs the game before June 4th. The pack includes a grenade, a rocket, and EMP battery, and a med kit, all items that players will probably find quite useful in the apocalyptic world of 2028 where the game is set.
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Samsung posts landing page for the Galaxy S6 Active
Despite us not receiving an official announcement from AT&T, Samsung has launched a new page on its website showcasing the design and specifications of the long-awaited Galaxy S6 Active.
Hit the break for the Active’s full spec list.
- 5.1-inch Super AMOLED QHD display
- Exynos octa-core processor
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB of internal storage (non-expandable)
- Mali-T760 GPU
- 16-megapixel rear-facing camera
- IP68 Dust and Waterproofing
- 2,550 mAh non-removable battery
Unlike the standard Galaxy S6, the Active ships with a dedicated button in the top left-hand corner of the device assigned to the new Activity Zone application, which provides users with a Barometer, Compass and S Health information.
If you’d like to find out more about the Galaxy S6 Active, click the source link below.
Source: Samsung
Come comment on this article: Samsung posts landing page for the Galaxy S6 Active
AIVAnet 