Apple Seeds First iOS 8.4.1 Beta to Developers
Apple today seeded the first beta of iOS 8.4.1 to registered developers for testing purposes, just two weeks after releasing iOS 8.4 with the new Apple Music service to the public. With iOS 9 already in the works and on track for a fall release, iOS 8.4.1 will likely be the last significant update to iOS 8.
Today’s beta can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center.
It is not yet clear what changes will be introduced with iOS 8.4.1, but as with past betas, it’s likely to include bug fixes, performance enhancements, and minor tweaks to the operating system. We’ll update this post with any new features or tweaks that are found within the new update.
iOS 8.5 follows on the heels of iOS 8.4, which introduced an entirely revamped Music app along with the new Apple Music service and the Beats 1 radio station. Aside from music updates, iOS 8.4 included only minor changes to iOS 8.
Google Fiber sign-ups for southeast Austin open once again
Although Google Fiber announcements initially came with a lot of fanfare and still do at a local level, there are many steps that take place in between that initial announcement and service actually being available for users. One of those steps is the determination of interest on the part of consumers so that Google can verify an investment in laying lines will be worth it. That market data is then combined with other information to guide the decisions on where the service is ultimately deployed.
The Google Fiber team has announced via Twitter that they are now taking sign-ups for the service in the southeast Austin area. This is not the first time Google has opened up the area for sign-ups for Fiber service. The on-again off-again status for Google accepting sign-ups is part of a proactive effort by Google to more accurately determine their potential customer base, although it is not clear why so many attempts have been necessary.
source: Google Fiber (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Google Fiber sign-ups for southeast Austin open once again
Google Map Maker reopening in August with some changes
After the “Android mascot peeing on an Apple logo” incident back in April, Google responded by temporarily shutting down Map Maker. The tool was intended to allow user-generated map edits in order to make Google Maps better, but the practical joke required Google to re-evaluate the tool and the approval process used for edits.
The good news for fans of Map Maker is that Google is now reopening the tool next month to the public, at least in a limited capacity. Basically Google is now turning towards the maps community to help handle and moderate edits to the maps.
The new model of operation will see Google picking out trustworthy community members as “regional leads” to help in the review process for future edits over specific regions. This peer-driven model will be used in addition to an automatic approval process, and reviews from Google operators, in order to ensure that incidents like this (hopefully) don’t happen again.
While you can read the full statement on Google’s product forums, here’s the key part of the statement from Google’s Pavithra Kanakarajan highlighting the change, and why they are making it:
Map Maker will be reopened for editing in early August, and we’re looking for users to now have more influence over the outcome of edits in their specific countries. This means that edits on Map Maker will be increasingly made open for moderation by the community. While some edits will still require moderation by Google operators, our loyal users will recognize that this is a departure from how we have operated in the past where majority of your edits were reviewed by Google operators. This has been a request you’ve made for a very long time, and this change should, hopefully, come as good news.
The reason for this change is that every time we observed someone attempting to vandalize the map, many of you acted quickly to remove the offending feature and demonstrated real ownership for maps within your region. We have come to the conclusion that of all the defenses available to keeping our maps clean, the interest of a community of well-intentioned users, is among the most reliable and fast.
It is worth mentioning that the new Regional Lead model means that edit approvals could take longer than they did under the old (mostly automated) approval system.
The first people to have access to the Map Maker outside of Google will be the Regional Leads, but Google will be inviting back users in phases starting in August. What do you think of the new community-driven edit approval system? Let us know what you think in the comments.
T-Mobile’s latest family plan gives everyone 10GB of full-speed data
You knew T-Mobile wasn’t going to let Sprint’s sweet family plan go unanswered, didn’t you? Sure enough, the magenta network has trotted out an upgraded Simple Choice family plan that gives two people unlimited calling, text and 10GB of full-speed data (each, not total) for the same $100 that Sprint is asking. That’s not as alluring if you regularly consume gigs upon gigs of internet content (Sprint’s data is also unlimited), but T-Mobile is also charging just $20 for every additional line instead of Sprint’s $40. If you have phone-toting kids, that could add up. This is also cheaper than what you’d get at AT&T or Verizon, where you’re looking at $140 or more to give a family of four 10GB of shared data. You’ll have to wait a day (until July 15th) to change plans if you’re already a T-Mo family subscriber, but it’s probably worth the short wait. Just don’t tell Marcelo Claure that.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, T-Mobile
Source: T-Mobile Newsroom
WiFi devices will soon talk to each other before they connect
WiFi-equipped gadgets don’t really say anything to each other before they connect, which limits what they can do — you can’t use them as Bluetooth-like smart beacons, or quickly find who’s sharing photos. All that’s going to change soon, though, thanks to the newly unveiled WiFi Aware spec. The technology has devices swapping tiny messages about their services when they detect each other, making it easy to send alerts and connect only to those devices you care about. You could quickly find nearby rivals for a multiplayer game, for example, or get a notification about a sale when you wander by a preferred store. And no, battery life shouldn’t take a hit. Although WiFi Aware can run in the background, its use of a common “heartbeat” for the sync process could actually make it more efficient than conventional WiFi.
It’ll be a while before you’re using WiFi Aware gadgets and apps. Although a few wireless chipsets are good to go, you’ll still need to wait for software implementations to make use of it. Even so, it should already be a big deal. Social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn should start using it by the end of the year, so you’ll soon have an easier time connecting with friends when they’re in the neighborhood. Also, Aware could be crucial for an internet of things where you want devices to find each other with little effort — your house lights could offer to turn themselves on the moment you come home, for instance. And since you have a much longer range than Bluetooth, you won’t always have to get cozy for the magic to happen.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer]
Filed under: Networking
Via: TechCrunch
Source: WiFi Alliance
Lumos helmet keeps cyclists safe with automatic brake lights
For cyclists, the road can be a nasty place to be at night, so we’re all for technologies that can help draw drivers’ attention in order to reduce the number of accidents. The latest of such attempt is the Lumos helmet, which not only comes with turn signal indicators that can be controlled wirelessly, but also packs a brake light that comes on automatically as you slow down. This seemingly simple idea came from Eu-wen Ding (who looks like an Asian clone of Miles Teller) and Jeff Chen. The two first bonded at the HackMIT 2013 weekend hackathon and have since been working on this project with a helmet manufacturer for 10 months.
Ding pointed out that while there are already light attachments available for bicycles, cyclists may still unwittingly leave them behind; but most cyclists wouldn’t ride without their helmets, hence the Lumos. And it’s obviously not a case of just slapping lights onto a helmet, because those already exist. Instead, the Lumos comes with a dual-button handlebar attachment that lets you toggle either the left or right turn indicator via RF signal; and when you decelerate, the brake light on the back of the helmet automatically lights up, though Ding and Chen are still fine-tuning this part. There’s also a set of LEDs on the front side that stays on permanently, so there’s little excuse to miss the cyclist at night. According to the product page, a single charge should last up to a week on average use (30 minutes per day); and recharging is simply a matter of plugging in a micro-USB cable.
Even though the Lumos is launching with two sizes on Kickstarter today, it won’t come cheap, but there’s a good reason for this: it’s still a proper cycling helmet that’s passed impact tests and meets safety standards — CPSC in the United States (CPSC 16 CFR Part 1203) and EN1078 in Europe. With the super early bird offer you can nab one for $85 and expect an April 2016 delivery, followed by the $99 batch in May and the $119 batch (or the $190-for-two deal) from June onwards.
Filed under: Wearables
Source: Kickstarter
Google reopens Map Maker edits in August with your help
Google put Map Maker editing on ice in May after digital vandals got away with some rogue changes, but it’s finally ready to get things back on track… if you’re willing to pitch in. The internet giant says it will start reopening edits in early August, but it’s asking the community to play a much larger role this time around. Instead of leaning primarily on Google itself for moderation, some Map Maker areas will also depend on Regional Leads (that is, eager volunteer cartographers) to review any tweaks.
This may take longer to moderate edits, but could be worth it. In Google’s experience, a “well-intentioned” community is better at catching pranksters than employees grappling with backlogs. That’s not a guarantee of success by any stretch, but it at least makes sense — those who have the most interest in accurate local maps will have more of a say in which edits make the cut.
Via: 9to5Google
Source: Google Product Forums
Sprint’s home-delivery service heads to four more cities
Back in April, Sprint introduced Direct 2 You, a program that brings the phone-buying process right to your home. Since then, the service has launched in multiple places across the US, including Kansas City, Chicago, Denver, Miami, Los Angeles New York and San Francisco. Today we can add a few more cities to the list, as Direct 2 You will now be an option for customers in Dallas, Detroit, Tampa and Washington DC. With this expansion, the total of markets covered is 32 so far — which, if anything, shows Sprint is committed to making its new program be a success.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sprint
Via: Android Central
Source: Sprint
Wifi Protector VPN: Lifetime Subscription
Internet security is at the forefront of most people’s minds these days. Everyone wants to be able to engage online without the fear of someone intercepting your precious data. The good news is that no matter where you’re at, protecting yourself if made simple thanks to your own personal virtual private network from Wifi Protector.
Wifi Protector is offering a lifetime subscription to their online privacy service which includes unlocking blocked content sites (Netflix, Hulu), unlimited bandwidth and secure connections. Enjoy a quicker and more reliable online experience with worry-free protection on your PC or Android device. Wifi Protector typically sells for $295 but AndroidGuys readers take 83% off, today, and can grab this deal for just $49.
See more at deals.androidguys.com
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Record and share audio with Parrot Voice Recorder
If you have read any of my previous reviews, you’ll know that I love simplicity. Parrot Voice Recorder delivers that simplicity in spades. In this review, we’ll be taking a look at what makes Parrot Voice Recorder an exceptional app for recording audio.
Parrot Voice Recorder overview
When you first open Parrot Voice Recorder, you’re greeted by a large microphone shaped icon at the bottom of the screen. Immediately it’s apparent what is needed to get started. Push the button.
As soon as the button is pressed, a counter begins and a display that represents the sound level appears. Your microphone icon disappears and 2 icons take its place. The first is a pause button so that if you’re taking notes and you don’t want to record the moments of silence that permeate the air while you’re thinking of what to say, you can pause the recording. The other is a stop button.
Once you select the stop button, you’ll be greeted with a screen that gives you the option to save the recording. Here you can assign a file name to the recording and select from 2 post save options. The first is to play the recording and yes, you must save the recording in order to listen to it. The second is to share the recording. This will bring up a list of supported apps and services that you can use to share your newly created audio file.
If you don’t wish to save the file, then simply select your back button and the recording’s 1s and 0s will vanish. It’s important to note that once you do this, you cannot recover that file and the app is kind enough to warn you of such.
If you would like to go back and re-listen or share a previous recording, there are tabs along the top of the screen that will allow you to do that.
This app, while simple, has a lot of configurable options and somehow, they were intuitively placed for easy selection.
Available options to select:
- Quality presets that range from low quality to ultra high quality
- Auto Pause
- Automatic gain control
- Noise suppression
- Echo cancellation
- Custom gain selection
- Playback bass boost
- Playback volume boost
- Playback reverb presets
Parrot Voice Recorder setup
Aside from downloading the app from Google Play, there really is no setup needed for this app.
Who will enjoy Parrot Voice Recorder
If you have a need to record audio, whether it be for notes, to send voice messages to your friends, or just for fun, then you will love this app. Personally, I can see a doctor or a lawyer using this app to record their notes and to then send them to their transcriptionist.
What we liked
- Dead simple interface
- High-quality recordings
- Ability to share with messaging apps from within the app
What could be better
- An option to split recordings apart and to splice recordings together
- Mulit-track recording
Overall
Hands down, this is a great app. It’s free and there are no ads to encumber your experience. It’s super easy to use and it’s compatible with a whole suite of messaging apps to share your recordings.
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AIVAnet 