Google announces Google+ Photos will be discontinued on August 1st, better grab the app now
style=”display:block”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-8150504804865896″
data-ad-slot=”8461248232″
data-ad-format=”auto”>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
Back in May at Google I/O the company announced Google Photos. The service and app give users a free, unlimited, high-quality resolution location to store all their photos and videos. It launch not only on Android, but also for iOS and there is even a PC app to upload folders you have stored on hard drives and more. Google has now made another announcement that impacts users by announcing that original side of Photos, Google+ Photos, will be officially discontinued on August 1st. All of those out there that have already installed and started using the new Google Photos app have nothing to worry about, but those of you that haven’t installed the app should get on it.
If you don’t install the app by August 1st all your images and videos will still remain in tact, you just won’t be able to access them in the same manner you did without the app. Google won’t be purging your life from the servers and lighting your world on fire. You just need to install the app and everything will still be there.
If you’re still using Google+ Photos, now is a great time to make the switch. You may have seen a prompt in Google+ Photos on Android with a link to download the new Google Photos. Don’t worry, all your photos and videos will still be saved and available after you switch to the new, stand-alone Google Photos app. With the new app you’ll still be able to back up, edit, and share your photos and videos, with unlimited storage, automatic organization, and more.
Google states that Google+ Photos will be discontinued on Android on August 1st with the Web version and iOS versions to follow there after. Users can also opt to download all of their photos and videos using Google Takeout rather than making the switch.
The links to all the appropriate channels for the app are down below. Those of you that have changed over though, how are you liking it? What is missing, what is different, what do you hope Google pushes through tot he app that is missing from the Google+ Photos side? All of your thoughts an opinions will certainly help get new users a bit more up to speed. I rarely used the Google+ Photos side of thing so I can’t speak to its functionality.
Install: PC uploader from HERE.
Install: Google Photos for iOS
Install: Google Photos for Android
Via Google+
The post Google announces Google+ Photos will be discontinued on August 1st, better grab the app now appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Nanowires help produce hydrogen fuel using sunlight
You ideally want to produce clean hydrogen fuel using clean sources, and Dutch researchers have taken a big step toward making that a practical reality. They’ve built a solar cell that uses a grid of gallium phosphide nanowires to make hydrogen gas from water. The approach gets a useful yield of about 2.9 percent in lab tests. That may not sound like much, but it’s about 10 times more effective than previous techniques and uses 10,000 times less exotic material.
It’s still going to take more refinements before this kind of technology is practical. Even hooking up silicon cells to a battery nets a 15 percent yield, for example. If scientists improve their methods, though, you could be driving hydrogen cars whose fuel is eco-friendly at every step, not just when it’s in your vehicle.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi]
Filed under: Transportation, Science
Games designed for the Neo Geo are featured in new Humble Mobile Bundle
The newest Humble Mobile Bundle that went live earlier today features games that were originally designed for SNK’s Neo Geo hardware. Although the Neo Geo brand has remained inactive longer than a decade, its owner has decided to port titles to mobile devices. Donations for this edition of Humble Mobile Bundle will benefit SNK Playmore, the American Red Cross, and the team operating Humble Bundle. There have already been more than 8,000 bundles sold, benefiting each of those three organizations in a way designated by donors.
Pay $1 or more to get:
- Garou: Mark of the Wolves
- Blazing Star
- The King of Fighters ’97
- Metal Slug 2
- Metal Slug X
Pay more than the average donation to get:
- Fatal Fury Special
- Samurai Shodown II
- Metal Slug 3
- Any added games…
For donating $29.99, an exclusive t-shirt for Neo Geo’s 25th anniversary will be included.
Source: Humble Bundle
Come comment on this article: Games designed for the Neo Geo are featured in new Humble Mobile Bundle
Take my money! Nintendo Smart Boy concept is pretty much an Android gamers dream
style=”display:block”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-8150504804865896″
data-ad-slot=”8461248232″
data-ad-format=”auto”>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
Android gaming hardware has become somewhat of a lost art of late, so it’s understandable that when a new gaming hardware concept comes up, it gets some serious attention. The Nintendo Smart Boy concept has been doing the rounds on the Internet today, designed by artist Pierre Cerveau who says this would be an Android smartphone made by Nintendo. This isn’t an entirely foreign idea given some of the rumours that have been floated, but this is the first time we’ve seen someone attempt to conceptualize what this would look like in real life – and we have to say, we like it.
Featuring a controller add-on and a cartridge module that can be anything from an extended battery, extra storage memory, or even a 3D camera, it’s relatively well thought out, even as a concept. Our only complaint would be that the controller isn’t part of the phone itself as that controller add-on would be a pain to carry around. Apart from that, I just need a direction to throw my money it.
Of course, it’s unlikely that this will ever get made – Nintendo is a hard beast to predict at the best of times – but there is always the Hyperkin Smart Boy which we’re hoping becomes an actual thing instead of staying a particularly well-realized April Fool’s joke.
What do you think about the Nintendo Smart Boy concept? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Pierre Cerveau via BGR
The post Take my money! Nintendo Smart Boy concept is pretty much an Android gamers dream appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Internet investor pours $100 million into the search for alien life
The hunt for extraterrestrial life just got a big leg up. Internet investor Yuri Milner and his Breakthrough Prize Foundation will spend $100 million supporting Breakthrough Listen, a project that will use radio telescopes, lasers and other equipment to search for alien signals. The cash will not only guarantee equipment time, but lead to dedicated processing equipment that could dramatically improve the discovery process. Researchers should not only cover several times more sky and radio wavelengths, but inspect both in greater detail and at higher speeds — the radio telescope searches should run 100 times faster, even as they tackle five times as many wavelengths.
The agreement only covers 10 years of funding (not even a blip on the cosmic time scale), but it could do much to advance science even if ET doesn’t phone home. It’ll help scientists around the world investigate whole galaxies, rather than small groups of stars. Much of the data will also be public, so any budding astronomer could put the resulting information to use. Think of Breakthrough Listen as raising the bar for all searches, not just a fortunate few.
[Image credit: Lynette Cook, NASA]
Filed under: Science
Source: UC Berkeley
This ring light wants to make poorly-lit selfies a thing of the past
Selfie technology has come a long way in recent years, but for all our sticks, sombreros, hair-brushes and Doom mods, we still haven’t overcome the selfie’s biggest enemy: low light. What do you do if you’re in a dark nightclub and you just need to share your night out with your pals on Instagram? Don’t worry–Japanese photographer Julie Watai is on the case: she’s building a light ring designed specifically for front-facing smartphone cameras.
Like any light ring, the “Kira,” as it’s called, softens and minimizes shadows by washing the subject in an even, consistent light that circles the camera’s view. The only real difference is that Kira is a detachable clip with a tiny window for your phone’s camera. It looks a little silly and cumbersome to carry around in your pocket, but it works:
Right now, there’s no word on how much the ring light will cost or when it will even be available — Watai is still seeking crowd funding to get the project off the ground. Interested? Check out the Japanese project page for more details.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Peripherals
Via: PetaPixel
Source: Kibi-Dango
Tidbit in Developer Preview suggests Android M will be Android 5.2
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style=”display:block”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-8150504804865896″
data-ad-slot=”8461248232″
data-ad-format=”auto”>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
Google likes to leave extremely subtle clues about its upcoming Android software builds, and the latest one is no different. It was been uncovered in the latest Android M Developer Preview (#2 for those who aren’t counting) that a new “demo mode” has been introduced, presumably for the purpose of showing off the new features of Android M. What’s interesting about this demo mode is that the time on the device resets to “5:20″ – and if Google’s previous teases are anything to go by, this is as good as a confirmation that Android M will be Android 5.2, not Android 6.0.
For those who aren’t aware, the previous teases we’re referring to are like the time Google started teasing Material Design in Android Lollipop and the clocks on its screenshots were set to 5:00 – this was also the case with Android 4.4 (Android KitKat), Android 4.2 (Android Jellybean), Android 4.0 (Android Ice Cream Sandwich) and Android 2.3 (Android Gingerbread). We’re honestly not surprised by this news at all as it looks like Android M will be an incremental, though still substantial, update over Android Lollipop, improving on some of the missteps in their biggest overhaul in recent memory.
What do you think about Android M being Android 5.2, not Android 6.0? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Technodify via Phone Arena
The post Tidbit in Developer Preview suggests Android M will be Android 5.2 appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Helix Bluetooth headphones can be worn in a fashionable cuff
Finding the right Bluetooth headphones is no easy feat, even as wireless sound accessories continue to expand. The truth is most headsets are still bulky and easily tangled; and while companies like Beats display a certain fashion statement, most sound products won’t exactly look good when you take them to your next reunion.
Ashley Chloe Inc. is introducing its new Helix Bluetooth headphones via Kickstarter. This product attempts to mesh function and fashion into a single product that wraps around your wrist. At first sight, the Helix cuff looks much like a refined (and slightly bigger) version of Jawbone’s wearables. Take a closer look and it still looks like some sort of activity tracker or bracelet. This means the team did a good job, as their product doesn’t look like what it really is, until the user decides to take advantage of it.
The headphones
This bracelet holds a pair of Bluetooth headphones, making this one of the most convenient and best-looking ways to carry your headset around. These portable earbuds have short cables linking them to a piece that hangs under the user’s chin. We assume this is the control center, so to speak, where the battery, Bluetooth antennas, microphone and all other hardware reside.
The headphones come with a metal housing and sweat resistance, so you know they won’t be breaking apart on you. Now, we know what many of you are wondering is whether this thing will sound good or not. Audio quality is just as important as fashion, and the Helix promises a good experience.
Helix’s earbuds tout “Hi-Fidelity stereo sound quality”, with frequencies ranging from 50 Hz to 20 kHz. Impendance is also set at 32 ohms and total harmonic distortion is under 1%. We do know numbers don’t always translate to quality, though, so we won’t pass judgement until we can get our chance to give the Helix Bluetooth headphones a try.
Whether they sound good or bad, what we do know is you won’t be listening for too long. The manufacturer estimates about 3 hours of battery life on a single charge. You weren’t expecting too much playback time out of that tiny thing, right?
Oh, and the headset does work for making calls.
The cuff
As mentioned above, the true benefit of this cuff is that it does a great job at hiding its technological prowess. This accessory manages to look good and keep a low profile, while expressing a fashion statement that seems to target millennials.
This part of the gadget is made of fluoroelastomer (same as the Apple Watch) and anodized aluminum. Want to get fancy? You can also opt for a “gold edition”, which will come with 18K plated-gold designs.
Who are the Helix Bluetooth headphones for?
While many of us do treasure sound quality, we also don’t want to sacrifice ease of use. Today’s generations are known for aiming to live as conveniently as possible, and carrying around large headsets in a tangle ball is not exactly optimal. Something like the Helix headphones would simplify our experience by reducing the headset’s footprint and making it a breeze to carry around.
Music is a big part of the average user’s day. In fact, a recent PR Newswire study suggests the average millennial wears headphones for about 4 hours a day, and about 20% would give up food for music. Furthermore, about 87% own earbuds, as opposed to on-ear or over-the-ear headphones. This could serve as corroboration that people do, in fact, prefer a smaller form factor that is more portable.
SOL REPUBLIC Music Snapshot Finds 2 out of 3 People Would Cut Their Workout Short Without Music. (PRNewsFoto/SOL REPUBLIC)
Are you buying?
OK, so let’s talk money. The Helix Bluetooth headphones won’t exactly be cheap. Once the Kickstarter campaign is over, the Helix cuff will be priced at $199 for the regular version and $299 for the 18K gold edition. On the other hand, getting them through Kickstarter will take these prices to as low as $99 and $269, if you get them through the early bird specials.
The campaign has 59 more days to go and a $100,000 funding goal to meet. So far only about $15,000 has been collected, but it’s very early on. We are sure this will generate enough interest. The real question is whether they will be taking your cash or not. Are any of you pledging? Let us know in the comments!
Visit the Helix Kickstarter campaign!
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (min-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
width: 100% !important;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos
width: 100%;
float: none !important;
overflow-x: auto;
overflow-y: hidden;
body #page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
overflow: auto;
max-height: none;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: left !important;
clear: none !important;
Related articles:
Deepify: Photo-to-3D Wallpaper (app review)
Overview
Live wallpapers are one of the things in Android that no other OS has. Even the raved iPhone lacks this beautiful addition. Live wallpapers make your screen more lively and offer a more immersive Android experience. Deepify: Photo-to-3D Wallpaper allows Android users to set custom photos as live wallpapers. Converting your normal images to beautiful 3D experiences.
Setup
The developer of Deepify: Photo-to-3D Wallpaper, Games by Dad, has provided an easy-to-follow guide for the setup of the app. I was able to set it up in less than a minute, its that simple! After the basic setup, you will see a standard set of 3D images and effects on your screen. It also displays some tips on-screen that help in understanding the functionality of the app better. For setting your own image just click on the Photo 1 option, set the required image and effect, click home and you are all set!
Function
After enabling Deepify: Photo-to-3D Wallpaper, double tapping on the screen brings you to the settings section of the app. It contains the options to set your custom images as wallpapers and allows for further customization. A maximum of two photos is allowed to be set in the free version. Upto 20 photos can be set in the pro version. The photos that can be set should either be shot from Google Camera Lens Blur Effect or be a png image with a RGBA character. Upon setting the image, the user can customize the photo effects that will be overlayed on top of the image. There are several 3D effects to choose from and allows for purchase of more effects as well.
Deepify: Photo-to-3D Wallpaper also gives you the option to export your set images as a gif or a bootanimation. This means you can really get creative and experiment with a wide variety of images and effects combination. The images that you set are automatically converted to 3D images and on the screen you can rotate and play with them by titling the phone.
Pictures
Target Audience
Young or old everybody enjoys live wallpapers. I used a really simple lens blur image and Deepified it. With all the effects and the amazing Unity graphics, it looks amazing. In-your-face 3D photo with animated effects is really something you won’t find in any other app. For root users, the bootanimation option is really worth trying out!
What we liked:
- 3D wallpaper effect
- Easy to use interface
- Effects variety
What needs improvement:
- More effects
- Integrated camera in future update
- Option to turn off demo photos
Summary
Deepify: Photo-to-3D Wallpaper is a one of a kind 3D image live wallpaper that brings your screen to life providing an almost real 3D experience. The customization options available to the user are really good. There is no limit to how creative you can get with it and experiment with the different photos and effects.
Developer Ron Mar provides excellent technical support for Deepify: Photo-to-3D Wallpaper. The app is free on the playstore with reasonably priced in-app purchases. Give it a spin and let us know your experiences in the comments below.
The post Deepify: Photo-to-3D Wallpaper (app review) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Moto G (3rd Gen) to have a IPx7 rating
The 28th is quickly approaching, and the Moto G leaks just won’t stop.
The latest leak includes the informative film that is shipped attached to the front screen of most phones.
This film revels that the newest Moto G could have a IPx7 water resistance rating enabling it to be submerged up to 1 meter in water.
This is nothing revolutionary as water resistance rating have been shipping on phones like Samsung Galaxy S Active models and Sony has various water resistant phones on the market, but this would be a nice addition to a mid-ranged device.
The Moto line of phones have always been unofficially water resistant, but this is the first official rating that any Moto phone has received.
The sticker also shows a 13MP back camera and a 5 MP front shooter. This Moto G is to ship with 4G LTE out of the box instead of releasing an updated LTE version later like we have seen with other Moto G models.
Lastly, we get a SD card slot for expanded storage, a quad-core processor (expected to be the Snapdragon 410) and a 2470 mAh battery.
Not bad specs for a mid-range phone. Hopefully Motorola will be able to keep the price tag low with the addition of the water resistance rating.
Other expected specs include:
- 5-inch 720p display
- 1.4 GHz quad core Cortex A53 CPU(Snapdragon 410)
- 1GB RAM and 8/16GB of internal storage
- 13MP rear-facing camera
- 5MP front-facing camera
- micro-SD card slot
- 2,470 mAh battery
Is the addition of the IPx7 rating enough to get you to get this third gen Moto G? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: MobileSyrup via: Phandroid
The post Moto G (3rd Gen) to have a IPx7 rating appeared first on AndroidGuys.
AIVAnet 