Yahoo’s Livetext is a messaging app for the Snapchat generation
Yahoo’s Livetext video-messaging app popped up in Hong Kong’s iTunes store a few days ago, and now it’s rolling out to more locales. The app is the company’s effort to provide software similar to its popular Messenger app that’s appropriate for how people are chatting these days. This means offering a an option that’s similar to Snapchat and the like, but with a focus on one-on-one conversations. With Livetext, you can let the person (no group chats yet) you’re chatting with via text get a look at where you are and what you’re doing. While the app does provide a video stream, it doesn’t include sound. Why? The folks at Yahoo found that enabling sound caused folks to think twice about answering a message and instead wanted to offer “a way to connect that’s quick and non-intrusive.” It might keep you out of trouble in the office, but we’d surmise most folks would prefer it offer at least the option of some audio.
Basically, you can get a look at the person you’re texting with during the convo. Oh yeah, it also doesn’t support links or other media like photos, either. The company really wants users to focus on the texting and video for quick chats rather than on-going convos. In fact, the thread disappears when a session ends, but Yahoo says this isn’t a Snapchat competitor per se, due to its focus on texting. It’s also the first effort from the folks behind MessageMe chat software that Yahoo nabbed last year. The app will go live for Android and iOS in the US, UK, Canada, Germany and France tomorrow and, as previously mentioned, it’s already available in Hong Kong, Ireland and Taiwan.
Source: Yahoo
Captain EO is coming back to Disney World’s EPCOT
As any child of the 1980s can tell you, Disney’s Captain EO ride — starring the “King of Pop”, Michael Jackson himself — was one of the best attractions to ever grace the park. EO debuted at Disney World in Florida back in 1986 and ran for eight years before closing in 1994. Now, Captain EO is back (and not just temporarily like they did after he died). The ride has reopened at Disney World’s EPCOT in all of its hokey, 3D glory. Michael Jackson’s ragtag team of freedom fighters are set to “bring freedom to countless worlds of despair” — and keep you entertained for 17 minutes with a mix of ’80s futurism and 30-year-old nostalgia.
Filed under: Internet
Source: Disney Blog
‘Fantastical 2’ for iPhone Gains Drafts, Japanese Localization
Popular calendar app Fantastical 2 for iPhone was today updated to version 2.4, adding a useful new feature that allows users to create event drafts. With drafts, it’s possible to start creating an event or Reminder and then swipe downwards to save it as a draft, setting it aside to multitask and access other events on the calendar.
For example, if you start scheduling a lunch meeting but need to pause in the middle to check your afternoon schedule, there’s no need to discard what you’ve written entirely — you can save it as a draft, check the calendar, and come back to it. Draft posts are saved at the bottom of the calendar interface for quick access, and multiple drafts can be saved at once.
While drafts are limited to the iPhone version of Fantastical 2, both the iPad and iPhone apps are being updated today with full Japanese localization. With the addition of Japanese, the app now supports six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese. Fantastical 2 is able to automatically detect the language being used to enter an event, even if the system’s language setting differs.
Today’s updates for the iPhone and the iPad are available to existing Fantastical 2 users for free.
Fantastical 2 for iPhone can be downloaded from the App Store for $4.99. [Direct Link]
Fantastical 2 for iPad can be downloaded from the App Store for $9.99. [Direct Link]
Boost Mobile adding two devices from Alcatel OneTouch
Boost Mobile has added two devices, both from Alcatel OneTouch, to its lineup for customers. Neither the Conquest nor the Elevate represent the company’s vision for a high-end Android device, but they do offer solid specifications in an affordable package. The Conquest and Elevate both support 4G LTE connection, ship with at least Android 5.0 Lollipop, and cost less than $150. Alcatel OneTouch is continuing to prove that a solid, complete device can be had for less than ever before.
Key specifications:
- 5-inch 720p display
- Quad-core processor
- 1GB of RAM
- 5MP / 2MP cameras
- 8GB of internal storage with microSD card slot
- 2500mAh battery
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
- IP67 certification (waterproof, dustproof)
The Conquest is available now for $129 from Boost Mobile.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Key specifications:
- 4.5-inch FWVGA display
- Quad-core processor
- 1GB of RAM
- 5MP / 2MP cameras
- 2000mAh battery
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Boost Mobile will ask for $99 when the Elevate goes on sale next month.
The arrivals of these two phones comes at a time when Boost Mobile is taking on more data for customers.
Come comment on this article: Boost Mobile adding two devices from Alcatel OneTouch
Hyundai allows you to DIY update Android Auto
Hyundai was the first to bring Android Auto to a production car. Many other car manufactures will bring Android Auto to their cars eventually, but don’t have any available to buy right now.
Hyundai’s 2015 Sonata already has Android Auto built in, but it’s not fully functional just yet. Today however, Hyundai is providing a software update that allows owners to get the upgrade.
We rarely see car manufactures provide software updates to car owners, but never allow the owners to install the update themselves. Owners can now decide whether or not they want to upgrade to the latest firmware.
Hyundai says the update should take less than an hour to install. If you are a 2015 Sonata owner and want to install the update you must first register your car at MyHyundai. Once that is done and you are logged in you can download the update, copy it to a USB, plug the USB into the car and the Sonata system will perform the update.
Click here to view the embedded video.
If you are not comfortable with doing the update on your own, all Hyundai dealerships nationwide are capable of doing it free of charge.
The update is actually available to more than just the basic Sonata. It can be installed on the Sonata Sport, Eco, Limited, Sport 2.0T, and Limited 2.0T models. The Sonata however requires the owner to have a Android phone running 5.0 Lollipop or later to use it.
Source: Hyundai
Via: Slashgear
Come comment on this article: Hyundai allows you to DIY update Android Auto
Sprint rolls out new Family Share Pack offering 10GB of data for $100 per month
Trying to stay competitive in the family plan space, Sprint has announced a new Family Share Pack for families needing four lines. The new deal rolling out starting July 31st gives families a pool of 10GB of shared 4G data for $100 per month. Sprint touts this as the best deal out there compared to Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile. That claim may be debatable, but Sprint is offering an upgrade that costs only $20 per month that bumps available data up to 40GB shared between the four lines.
The upgraded Family Share Pack at $120 for 40GB of data is comparable to an offer T-Mobile is currently running, although T-Mobile does not pool the data between the four lines. Sprint also helps to keep the total out of pocket price down by not charging extra data access per line charges on the first four lines.
To take advantage of this offer, customers do have to port over an existing line from another carrier. Sprint does offer some buyout options to help consumers who may incur fees and penalties for early termination of their accounts with other carriers.
source: Sprint
Come comment on this article: Sprint rolls out new Family Share Pack offering 10GB of data for $100 per month
“OK Google” now integrates with select chat apps
Effective as of today, Google Now users can send texts by voice through some popular messaging apps. These include the latest versions of WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat, Telegram, and NextPlus, with other apps planned to be added. For now, this will work in English in any country. Other languages are coming soon.
This works almost identically to texting through the platform. Just say something along the lines of, “Ok Google, send a WhatsApp message to Joe.” This will bring up a pop-up that asks you to speak your prompt. Also, you can group it with the initial “Ok Google” statement, allowing you to skip the last step.
Google’s integration of chat apps in Now follows other recent updates to the platform, such as new cards of reminders, TV shows, books, video games, music albums, public transit, apps, and more, and the ability to send Hangouts messages.
Source: Google Inside Search
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Amazon: Buy a Chromecast, receive $10 gift card (until Aug. 9)
The Chromecast, which recently celebrated its second birthday, is one of our favorite media devices of all time. Why? Because, for $35, it’s super flexible and enhances the mobile experience and living room experience at the same time.
As one of Amazon’s top-selling media devices, the Chromecast can often be found on sale. Such is the case now where it’s selling for $29.99. But, for a limited time, it gets even better.
“Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. (PT) on August 9, 2015. “
Purchase the Chromecast through Amazon between now and August 9 and you’ll also receive a $10 gift card. Yep, the same sort of gift card that works for anything else on Amazon.com.
All you have to do is click this link and add the gift card and Chromecast to your shopping cart.
Google Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player
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Griddition: Maths on the go (App Review)
I’m sure most of you remember that you probably did maths at some stage of your life. And, yes, while it was probably the bane of your life, we may not appreciate maths as much as we should. Love it or hate it, there are apps for it. The app I’m talking about speciffically is called “Griddition”, and today I’ll be reviewing it.
Setup
Barring the fact that there was a tutorial, Griddition is extremely simple. The tutorial give you a good idea of what it’s about, but I was still a bit confused on my first try. I’m going stress ‘first try’ because it really doesn’t take long to get into the full swing of things. One round is all you’ll need to play at max efficiency.
There are different themes you can use later on in the game as you unlock more levels. As I haven’t yet advanced too far, I’m unable to share my views on them, although their names at least sound cool.
Gameplay
I wouldn’t exactly call Griddition a game. The ‘gameplay’ simply doesn’t fit the standards for a game, while it certainly isn’t not a game. It’s more of something that’s designed to be played in a math classroom or to pass away time on the bus. Think of it as Sodoku, but all the numbers that you input have to equal the number at the end. You simply drag the availible numbers into their slots and try beat your previous time. Your ultimate goal is to improve your score and unlock bigger grids. All of this is a treat thanks to the great but simple user interface and the lack of annoying adverts. My time spent with the app was indeed pleasant.
Is it for me?
Although Griddition is a great app, it’s not really just for anyone. I personally doubt if I would use it on a constant basis, although other people will likely differ. The fact that it is ad free and does not require internet connection means that it’s specially ideal for places like the classroom and for your offspring in the back of the car.
What we liked:
- Great user interface
- Lack of adverts
- No internet required
And not so much…
- Not much to make you want to play
- Lack of levels/storymode
All-in-all, Griddition is a great app that you probably won’t like a lot. It’ll be great for kids but no so much for grown-ups, although other people might beg to differ. The gameplay is in no way entertaining, remember how I said that it’s “not really a game”? But hey, head on over to the Play Store and give it a try!
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Pay What You Want to become a mobile game developer [DEAL OF THE DAY]
Today’s deal allows you to “Go from Gamer to Game Coder with Stone River eLearning’s Complete Training“. With three different courses, valued at over $500, you won’t have to pay anywhere near that amount to become a game developer.
The Game Development for Non-Coders will teach you the ins and outs of coding, starting from the ground up. Even if you’ve never looked at a string of code in your life, this course will walk you through the process so that you can create games for Windows, Linux, Android and more. This course will also serve as a foundation for the latter courses, so you won’t be lost along the way.
The Unity 3D Game Development & Design Course bundle will build upon what you have already learned, and help turn your sites on 3D gaming. In addition to teaching you how to create 3D games, you will also be able to improve your existing 2D games to create something absolutely awesome.
Finally, the HTML5 App & Game Development bundle will teach you how to build games that will be used on all platforms with the help of basic HTML & HTML5 code. This course will also teach you how to code in JavaScript to add more dynamic options to your games, as well as showing you how to create games with 2D physics, parallax effects and more.
As we mentioned above, this bundle of courses is worth over $500, but your cost is comparative to pennies on the dollar. Grab this deal here, and head on over and NAME YOUR PRICE for this awesome set of deals.
You can find this, and many other great tech bargains through our Deals page. Backed by Stack Commerce, there are daily promos, giveaways, freebies, and much more!
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