Tiny sensor tells you when your favorite places are crowded
You probably aren’t a fan of showing up at the coffee shop right when there’s a large line, or at the gym when there are no free machines. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find out how busy a place is at any given moment, without resorting to estimates? The new Density sensor might help. The tiny infrared detector is effectively a smarter, more connected pedestrian traffic sensor: it tells apps how many people are entering or leaving a building at any moment, giving you a good sense of whether that restaurant is packed or blissfully empty. Shops can use that data to their advantage, too. They can offer discounts whenever it gets quiet, or notify you the moment there’s a free seat.
The sensor is already in use at Requested (which lets you ask for discounts at eateries), Workfrom (remote working spaces) and parts of UC Berkeley’s campus. Density and gadgets like it could do much more if they become truly ubiquitous, though. Eventually, you might never have to guess whether or not your usual haunts are hopping — you’d know right away whether or not you should wait an hour or find an alternative.
Filed under:
Household, Internet, Mobile
Via:
PSFK, Fast Company
Source:
Density
Tags: crowd, density, infrared, internet, internetofthings, mobilepostcross, peripherals, sensor
Barmark: a game with no death or goals, only “personal perfection”
Games are fun and challenging, but we can’t deny they are also a bit stressful. Most times you will need to go through pulling some hair before you get your dose of satisfaction, but Barmark aims to do things differently. Barmark is one of those aesthetics-focused titles with a high priority in finding inner peace.
This game features no deaths, goals or points. Instead, it allows you to alter your surroundings “in order to achieve harmony and personal perfection”. I know, it sounds totally weird, but the game is actually quite interesting, and design buffs will find it especially enticing.
The user will be dropped in one of 8 possible landscapes (selected randomly), along with a couple archanimals which will be chosen to live in your land. You can then travel the lands and activate certain machines that can alter your surroundings. Continue changing your space by finding endless machine combinations and planting flowers to keep your animals happy, as well as yourself.
Barmark is a very interesting concept; one I happen to like during stressful days. We know some of you prefer those action-packed, thrilling games, but Barmark will be there when it’s time to wind down and find zen. Of course, it’s not a cheap game, as all that design and balance is not easy to produce. The game costs $2.99 from the Google Play Store. Who’s buying?
Download Barmark from the Google Play Store
Frontback’s selfie app is back thanks to an anonymous rescuer
Tech startups rarely get a second chance if they fail, since they can’t usually draw on the help of either a huge following or a pile of cash. However, the recently defunct Frontback is getting that rare reprieve. The selfie-oriented social service has reached a deal with an as yet unnamed “partner” that will keep it running for the foreseeable future. This mysterious helper believes there’s “something incredible” behind the concept of posting both front and back photos, Frontback says, and it’s offering “fresh ideas” for what to do next. There’s no certainty that Frontback will live happily ever after, but it’s at least not going to fade out any time soon.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Internet, Mobile
Via:
Business Insider
Source:
Frontback
Tags: frontback, internet, mobilepostcross, photography, selfie, smartphone, startup
Leak again claims that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t have a microSD slot
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
We always suspected that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t have a microSD slot, much like the Galaxy S6, but the latest leak puts yet another nail in the coffin – and by now, there are a lot of nails. Leaker @evleaks has posted a list of specs for the Samsung Noble, a name known to be the codename of the Note 5, that ends with the suggestion of “no SD” – it’s not particularly surprising seeing as Samsung has removed the microSD slot from all its recent devices, but we still held out hope for its larger brethren.
Rains->Pours. Samsung Noble (SM-N920/self-reported): Exynos 7420 SoC (4×2.1GHz+4×1.5GHz), 5.66″ 2560×1440, 4GB/32GB, 16MP/5MP, 5.1.1, no SD.
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 1, 2015
The other notable spec from @evleaks’ tweet is the processor, alleged to be a Exynos 7420 – this is the same chip as the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, however we’ve been hearing conflicting rumours that the Note 5 will actually have the newer Exynos 7422. Obviously, we won’t have long to find out which of these stories are correct as the Note 5 is due for announcement on August 13th, however it does suggest the possibility of different variants for different regions, which wouldn’t be unusual.
What do you think about the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 not having a microSD slot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Twitter via TalkAndroid
The post Leak again claims that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t have a microSD slot appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
ZTE Axon now available for purchase from multiple retailers
ZTE is right on time for the Axon’s August 1st expected release date. The phone has only been available for pre-order so far, but today it reaches a new stage as retailers across the internet begin offering it. You can now get yourself a brand new ZTE Axon straight from the manufacturer’s website, as well as Amazon, Newegg and eBay.
As expected, the phone costs $449.98, which is one hell of a price for what you will be getting from this unique smartphone. The ZTE Axon is very special in that it offers top-of-the-line specifications, but its price point undercuts all the big guys.
Packed inside the Axon you will find a 5.5-inch QHD display, a 2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, a 13 MP dual camera, an 8 MP front cam and a 3000 mAh battery. Those are specs worthy of awards, so don’t go thinking you will get anything less than a premium handset.
But the value doesn’t end there. ZTE has decided to give all Axon customers free accidental protection for 2 years. And if you happen to be an audiophile, the phone also supports HiFi audio support and comes packaged with a free set of JBL headphones. The phone really has it all, and only for a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere.
.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;
We reviewed the ZTE Axon and gave it an 8.9/10 score. There were very few bad things to say about it. Our main gripes were the lack of storage options, no microSD support and the dual cameras (which still seem a bit gimmicky). You should be fine if you can live with 32 GB of internal storage, though!
Are any of you grabbing a ZTE Axon?
Buy the ZTE Axon from Amazon!
Buy the ZTE Axon from ZTE!
Buy the ZTE Axon from Newegg!
Buy the ZTE Axon from eBay!
Here are 25 OnePlus 2 wallpapers for you to gawk at before the device is released
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
While the OnePlus 2 was definitely the star of the show when OnePlus announced its new flagship, fans with an artistic eye took keen interest in the wallpaper that they saw on the OnePlus 2. As it turns out, OnePlus is very happy to share not only this wallpaper, but all the OnePlus 2 wallpapers that are going to be available when the device is released. Here’s a few wallpapers from the 25 wallpaper pack to get a feel for the style:
If those wallpapers have whetted your appetite, you can download the whole set from the link below:
OnePlus 2 wallpapers download link
Of course, since the OnePlus 2 has a 1080p display, the wallpapers are optimized for such a device at 1920 pixels tall. The OnePlus 2 is expected to release on August 11th, and if you need to get caught up on its hardware specifications, make sure to check out our summary here.
What do you think about the OnePlus 2 wallpapers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: OnePlus via Droid-life
The post Here are 25 OnePlus 2 wallpapers for you to gawk at before the device is released appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Uber reaches $50 billion value thanks (in part) to Microsoft
Uber is getting richer and richer. It’s now valued at $51 billion after raising another $1 billion in funding, and it got to this stage two years faster than Facebook did. As always, the ride-sharing service has attracted an assortment of investors during its latest funding round — one of them’s none other than tech juggernaut Microsoft, according to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. While neither company has admitted it yet, Bloomberg says Microsoft has agreed to back Uber to the tune of around $100 million. It’s unclear whether this means they’re pursuing a deeper relationship or if they’re working together on a project or two, at least. If you recall, though, Uber’s snapped up a portion of Bing’s mapping tech back in June, along with a hundred of Redmond’s employees.
Microsoft is neither the first nor the only tech corporation/personality that has invested in the ride-hailing service. Chinese internet giant Baidu jumped in weeks after it was announced that Uber was already valued at $40 billion with an investment that could’ve been as big as $600 million. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos put his money in the company way back in 2011, while Google Ventures backed it with $258 million in 2013. That was years before both companies announced their intentions to develop self-driving taxi services, making them future competitors. In all, Uber now has $5 billion to spend on the aggressive expansion it’s planning in India, China and Southeast Asia.
[Image credit: Getty Images]
Filed under: Transportation, Microsoft
Source: The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal
10 best new Android apps and games from July 2015
Summer time is usually a slow time for technology. People are outside enjoying the sunshine while developers and OEMs are preparing for the autumn and winter. Even so, there were still a number of awesome new Android apps and games released this month so let’s check out the best new Android apps and games from July 2015.
Angry Birds 2
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Rovio released Angry Birds 2 this month and has decided that this one would be the actual sequel to the original game. As such there are some game play improvements and concepts that help freshen up the stale franchise such as multi-stage levels and even boss battles. We know that Angry Birds is kind of old and tired, but it’s still a decent time waster that’s free to download and good for kids.
Get it now on Google Play!
Boxer Calendar
[Price: Free]
Boxer Calendar is a new calendar app out of the same developers who released Boxer Email. The calendar app itself is fairly simple with multiple viewing options, Material Design, theming and customization options, widgets, and support for Google and Exchange Calendars. It’s main feature is the ability to send your availability quickly to just about anyone although this does require using Boxer Email. It’s free but do beware of the release day bugs.
Get it now on Google Play!
Five Nights at Freddy’s 4
[Price: $2.99]
Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 marks the second release of the franchise this year. This one kind of goes back to the origin story as you must keep watch over a bedroom while checking the closet, two hallways, and of course the bed behind you. Despite being a very simple game, it’s manages to be quite difficult and it does leave you a bit on edge. It’s a shock value game with a cheap price tag and a high entertainment value if you like scary things.
Get it now on Google Play!
Forsaken World Mobile
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Forsaken World Mobile is an MMORPG that has you going on quests, duking it out with bad guys, and finding hidden treasures. The game play is simple to use and involves either manual movements or tap-to-move while you have a range of stuff to do. It’s an easy game to play with a lot of quests to do. There is also a mount system, decent graphics, and online multiplayer options. It’s a strong option if you’re into MMORPGs.
Get it now on Google Play!
Kodi
[Price: Free]
Kodi, formerly known as XBMC, left beta this last month and is now a standalone release on the Google Play Store. For those who don’t know, Kodi is a full-fledged media center application that allows you to play all of your media as well as install third party plugins for additional functionality. There are some bugs here and there, but for the most part it works very well although smaller devices may not get the best experience.
Get it now on Google Play!
Microsoft Hyperlapse
[Price: Free]
Microsoft Hyperlapse has received a lot of press over the last month thanks to its somewhat unique functionality. This app takes a lot of images in rapid succession and then stitches them together to create a time lapse video. There are other apps that can do this, but this one does better than most and it is a fun little tool to have in the ole app drawer. It’s also totally free with no in-app purchases
Get it now on Google Play!
Tossup
[Price: Free]
Microsoft had a busy month because on top of Hyperlapse, they also released Tossup from their Garage project. This nifty little app helps you communicate with people quickly and efficiently to help set up things like meetings, take a quick yes or no vote, and ask opinions. It suffered from some release day bugs but most of them appear to have been sorted out. It’s not overly powerful, but definitely useful for quick info.
Get it now on Google Play!
Star Wars
[Price: Free]
Disney released an official Star Wars application this last month. It’s most likely in preparation for the upcoming Star Wars movie. The app is meant to act as a hub for all things Star Wars and includes news, updates, and event announcements. The app also comes with a ton of extra stuff for Star Wars fans, including themes, weather, animated GIFs, and a lot more. If you like Star Wars, give this a shot. It is totally free.
Get it now on Google Play!
Vainglory
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Vainglory is a MOBA that was released on Android this last month. It features a variety of heroes which allows for a variety of tactics along with online multiplayer, practice mode, and more. The graphics are pretty decent and the controls are easy enough to get the hang of. The developers have also promised new content and heroes to come on a regular basis which will be nice if they pull through. It’s free to play and actually really good.
Get it now on Google Play!
WiFiMapper
[Price: Free]
Last up this month is WiFiMapper. This is an application that helps you find WiFi hotspots for you to connect to. This is great for those who don’t have home web or are looking for internet on the go. It’s crowd sourced which allows you to add new hotspots as you find them if you so choose. You can also measure how well each one does so you can find the best ones to connect to. It’s had to some release day bugs but it’s otherwise a very useful application.
Get it now on Google Play!
Wrap up
If we missed any great new Android apps and games released in July 2015, tell us about them in the comments below! Also don’t forget to sign up for our Android Apps Weekly newsletter to catch the latest Android apps and games news!
Subscribe to Apps Weekly Newsletter
The latest apps, games and Google play news in your inbox once a week.
To see our complete list of Android apps and games lists, click here!
Shibuya Grandmaster is a devilishly minimal puzzle game
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
I love a good puzzle game so my interest was immediately piqued when I came across Shibuya Grandmaster – that and the 8-bit techno music from the trailer. Shibuya Grandmaster, made by Nevercenter, is a puzzle game with an arcade game mask, with a colour palette that will be familiar to many older gamers. The concept looks quite simple – make blocks drop from the sky, then tap them in coloured groups so that there are no remaining (or as few remaining) blocks. Check out that trailer I was talking about before – and beware: the song is catchy:
If the gameplay in the video looked a bit too fast for you, don’t fret – Shibuya Grandmaster offers 7 gameplay speeds, from slow right up to the devilishly fast Gentle Rain, and will help you progress towards the title of Grandmaster. Shibuya Grandmaster is completely free to play, but unlike many other games in this bucket, Shibuya Grandmaster isn’t offering ways to win for your hard earned dollars; they’re just offering more backgrounds and more coloursets for you to customize your game experience – and yes, there are also versions for colourblind folk. If Shibuya Grandmaster sounds like the type of game you want to dance to play this weekend, hit the Play Store link below:
What do you think about Shibuya Grandmaster? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Shibuya Grandmaster is a devilishly minimal puzzle game appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Sling TV says Comcast/NBC doesn’t want to run its ads
Just as Comcast dips its toe in the internet TV business, Sling TV is claiming that the giant is refusing to run ads for its service on NBC stations that it owns. According to Sling TV CEO Roger Lynch (last seen walking off with our Best of CES Overall Winner trophy), the ads are running across other broadcasters, and on NBC stations not owned by Comcast. If the idea was to cut down on the number of people seeing an alternative to the cable setup, that may have backfired since you’re reading this right now. Comcast’s NBC stations aren’t running the ads in three cities (San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.), but the internet stretches much further.
[Image credit: Jae C. Hong/Associated Press]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Sling Blog
AIVAnet 