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
The post Wifi Protector VPN: Lifetime Subscription appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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.
The post Record and share audio with Parrot Voice Recorder appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Three unannounced Motorola handsets slide through the FCC
Three phones all belonging to Motorola recently stopped by the FCC. Leaked details have emerged about what could possible be Motorola’s new flagship, the Moto X (2015). Apparently, the project is known internally as ‘Kinzie’ and will come with a 5.5 inch QHD display. It features a body just larger than the DROID Turbo, supports quicker charging, 802.11ac MiMo WiFi, LTE Advanced, and almost all of the LTE bands outside of Verizon’s in the United States. We can expect to see the device hit the market around mid fall.
The second phone that passed through the FCC seems to be a Verizon exclusive with a smaller body. We are looking at a mid-range device, possibly some kind of DROID Mini successor. It will come with a smaller battery than the aforementioned beast, a removable back and around a 5.2-inch display. The handset has AHDT56UB1 as its ID number.
The third and final handset appears to be headed to Sprint. It has a FCC ID of IHDT56QG6. It appears to be very similar in specs to the mid-range phone listed above; however, this device is smaller than both of those mentioned above and lacks 802.11ac WiFi, which the first handset has included, and the second mentioned above does not. This has led us to believe it is another mid-range device. In addition, it also has no removable back. Since its specs match up close to last years Moto G, we expect this to be the third generation Moto G.
The specifications to all these phones can be found at the source links. More information to come.
Source: FCC (1) (2) (3)
Via Droid-Life
Come comment on this article: Three unannounced Motorola handsets slide through the FCC
Boost Mobile announces new Wi-Fi hotspot device and plans
Boost Mobile, Sprint’s prepaid no-contract wireless provider, announced their entry into the Wi-Fi hotspot device market with the NetGear Fuse device. Able to support up to 10 devices at once, the NetGear Fuse is 4G capable. Boost Mobile is also introducing two data plan choices for users who are interested in this new option.
Users who have minimal data needs can opt for a 1.5GB per month plan that costs $25 per month. If more data requirements are anticipated, the next tier up is a 10GB per month plan for $50 per month. The hardware itself costs $50 and is currently available from Best Buy and will be available online at Boost Mobile on Friday, July 17th. The device will hit Boost Mobile retail locations and other independent retailers in August.
Besides support for 10 simultaneous clients, the NetGear Fuse comes with a 2,500mAh battery with a claimed battery life of 10 hours of continuous use. The device has a small LCD screen to help users monitor the device. Although no software install is required, users can configure security settings to block devices or even setup a guest Wi-Fi connection if needed.
source: Sprint
Come comment on this article: Boost Mobile announces new Wi-Fi hotspot device and plans
Google Map Maker to re-open in August with additional community support
Earlier this year Google had to shutdown their Google Map Maker product due to some malicious edits that were submitted and managed to make their way through the review process. When they took action, Google indicated they needed some time to refine the process to help ensure inappropriate edits did not make it into the platform. In an announcement made yesterday on their product forum, Product Manager Pavithra Kanakarajan said they are ready to start re-opening Map Maker in August.
In an interesting twist, Kanakarajan says the company has decided the best way to achieve the level of moderation desired is to move much of that work back onto the community. She notes 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.”
In an effort to bring some order to the process, Google will identify “Regional Leads” who will serve as the human reviewer of submitted edits after they have gone through Google’s automated filters. On occasion, Google employees may step in to moderate edits, but this is expected to be the exception.
To get things going, Google will identify potential Regional Lead candidates and invite them to apply for the role. Once Regional Leads are identified, Google will move to re-open Map Maker for edits in those regions. This means the platform will be re-opening in phases as the leads are identified and assigned.
At least initially, when the number of editors is expected to be rather small, Google anticipates the process of edit approvals to be a bit on the slow side. They ask users to be patient while the Regional Leads process the incoming edits for their areas.
source: Google Map Maker
via: 9to5Google
Come comment on this article: Google Map Maker to re-open in August with additional community support
Xiaomi Mi 5 flagship may actually be announced in 3 weeks
It was reported last week that Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship smartphone, the Mi 5 would be released sometime in November. According to Chinese tech blog Mobile Dad, the Mi 5 might be announced on the 5th of August instead, 3 weeks from now. Xiaomi has announced to the public that it will be holding an event on July 16th to reveal a mystery handset which some hypothesize to be the Mi 5. Some disagree with that speculation after Mobile Dad reported that Xiaomi is expected to have some kind of annual conference on August 5th, which might be the date on which Xiaomi would unveil their next flagship. Although this is a vague claim, nothing is official at this point other than the July 16th event. An earlier report mentioned the existence of the Mi 5 Plus, which might actually be released in November instead of the Mi 5. In addition there has been mixed reports on the Mi 5’s specs, and it is still unsure if it will come equipped with the Snapdragon 810 or 820 SoC.
Source: Mobile Dad
Via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Xiaomi Mi 5 flagship may actually be announced in 3 weeks
AIVAnet 