New York City cabs will start using Arro to compete with Uber
Uber has been rapidly growing, and taxi cabs in major cities have struggled to figure out how to stay competitive. New York City cab drivers are beta testing a new app called Arro that will work pretty similarly to Uber, but it favors traditional cab drivers.
The app tracks your name and location and sends your info to nearby cab drivers when you open it, directing the driver to pick you up. It also saves your credit card info, so it can pay your cab fare, too.
The app is currently being beta tested by about 7000 cab drivers, but it’s expected to see a full rollout in a couple weeks. It’s launching in New York City, but the company wants to expand to many other major cities, too.
If nothing else, it’s good to see Uber get some competition.
source: Arro
via: Engadget
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Vine gets musical upgrade
https://vine.co/v/ejVEEEm71ar/embed/simplehttp://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js
Social network Vine has announced some upgrades to their service that focus on the music. The new features will impact how content creators as well as consumers experience the service. Vine is adding a new “Snap to Beat” option for users who want to add some music their video clips and some new features for users to discover popular music on the network.
The Snap to Beat feature is designed to help creators come up with a “perfect loop” or “seamless loop.” These are Vines that seem to have never-ending music loops where a user is unable to tell where the loop begins and where it ends. Until now, this took some work on the part of a content creator to get it just right. With Snap to Beat, users can tap the music note when uploading a video to select a song. Snap to Beat will analyze the song, find a section that will work for a perfect loop, and then trim your video to match the audio clip. Users who want to maintain manual control over the process can turn off Snap to Beat.
In addition to Snap to Beat, Vine has created a new Featured Tracks section for users to access when looking for music to add to a Vine. Again, by tapping on the music note to add a song, users will be presented with a list of Featured Tracks or they can check out recently added songs.
Vine is also helping content consumers by making it easier to figure out what songs are playing when clips are being viewed. Vine notes the “Song?” question is one of the most frequently posted comments on Vines, so they built in the answer in the app. When viewing a Vine, if the music note is present, viewers can tap on that to get information about the song.
Vine also worked with Billboard to get Vine added to the Billboard Social 50 chart to help “surface” music that is popular on Vine to wider audiences.
The new music discovery features are available starting today on both Android and iOS. The new Snap to Beat and Featured Tracks tools are also available on iOS now with support for Android forthcoming.
source: Vine
Come comment on this article: Vine gets musical upgrade
Huawei Watch up for pre-order: pricey, coming soon, potentially with iOS support
Huawei is gearing up to re-launch its long-delayed Watch (or the “Huatch,” as anxious fans have come to call it). First announced at MWC in March, the Huawei Watch will probably – hopefully – become available on September 2, per a pre-order page that popped up on Amazon and a tweet from an official Huawei account.
Four versions of the device are listed on Amazon, from a basic stainless steel version that costs $349, to a gold plated model going for a pricey $799. The device is sold and shipped by Amazon, so it’s unlikely that the price is artificially inflated, as it sometimes happens with resellers.
- Huawei Watch Stainless Steel with Black Suture Leather Strap (U.S. Warranty) for $349.99
- Huawei Watch Black Stainless Steel with Black Stainless Steel Link Band (U.S. Warranty) for $449.99
- Huawei Watch Gold Plated Stainless Steel with Brown Suture Leather Strap (U.S. Warranty) for $699.99
- Huawei Watch Gold Plated Stainless Steel with Gold Plated Stainless Steel Link Band (U.S. Warranty) for $799.99
The high-price of the Huawei Watch is quite surprising – it looks like the Chinese giant is happy to match Apple on pricing, whereas other Android manufacturers have kept prices much lower. With consumer sentiment in the wearables field steadily eroding, it’s definitely a bold move by Huawei, but we don’t see that high price tag lasting for too long.
See also: Huawei Watch first look
According to the listing, the Huawei Watch will become available on September 2. Supporting this release date for the device is a teaser that Huawei put up today on Twitter, apparently by mistake, as the tweet was deleted soon after.
The Amazon listing claims the Huawei Watch will support “most devices with an iOS 8.2 or Android 4.3 or later operating system.” This could be a typo or a mistake, but there’s a good chance that Google is indeed going to finally make Android Wear compatible with iOS. If that’s the case, we should hear an official announcement on a major update coming to Android Wear very soon.
Do you know any iPhone users that would love to sport an Android Wear watch?
Pengate blues? Video shows how to safely get the Note 5 S Pen out
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has quickly become the subject of its own “gate”, pengate as some are calling it. If you haven’t already heard, inserting the S Pen backwards on the Note 5 will cause it to get stuck inside and removing it could break an important S Pen sensor. Thankfully, a new video demonstrates a way to get your pen out safely without damaging the sensor.
Basically, a piece of paper can be pushed into the hole and used to safely lift the sensor. Once this is done, you can pull out the S Pen without a problem. The video goes into a great length of detail about how the sensor gets stuck, how far you have to insert it, and more. You also get to see the inside of the Note 5, making it much easier to follow along.
Is Pengate a big deal?
Is this really S Pen drama really a big deal? Personally, I don’t think so. Sure, it is a design flaw, as making it impossible to fully insert the S Pen backwards would have been a good failsafe to prevent people (or, more likely, young kids) from doing stupid things with an $800 device. That said, the odds of this happening to your Note 5 are pretty slim and we have a feeling most of the reports of stuck pens came because people were curious if the “pengate” claims were legit.
For what it is worth, I currently have the Note 5 in my possession, and while I’m not foolish enough to fully insert the pen in backwards, I did test putting in just the “eraser tip” and can tell you that, even if you aren’t looking while inserting, you should be able to feel/hear the difference in my opinion.
It is true that there is no resistance or forcing needed to put it in backwards, but it still feels and sounds differently. The pen side slides in without fully touch the sides, while the Note 5 eraser goes in easily but you can slightly feel/hear it touching the sides thanks to the metallic plate with the “Samsung” logo on it. While it would be possible to ignore or miss this, those that are careful probably would detect the difference before fully inserting into the holder deeply enough for it to get stuck.
What do you think, is this S Pen drama being blown out of proportion or do you think that Samsung really messed up big here? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week! – Android Apps Weekly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp0G5sAdsQA
Welcome back to the Android Apps Weekly show! Let’s jump right into the headlines for this week:
- Microsoft is now letting people download Cortana as part of a public beta which is the first time it’s been officially available to the public. There is only one problem and that is that you cannot participate in the public beta unless you live in the United States. We don’t think that’ll change which kinda sucks.
- A new app called Vysor was leaked recently and it prompted developer Koushik Dutta to just release the application. It’s a Chrome app that lets you easily control your Android device from your computer. It’s a nifty tool even if it’s in beta and keep an eye out for pricing because there will be some pricing options eventually.
- Facebook M has been officially announced and much like the leaks said, it’ll be a personal assistant that lives inside of Facebook Messenger that helps you buy things along with a suite of other functions for productivity. It’s currently in testing and we have no clue when it’ll be available to the public.
- Earlier this week, Rovio announced that they’ll be laying off 1/3 of their work force. The speculation is that the Angry Birds franchise is finally starting to falter as the company just released Angry Birds 2 not long ago. The company maintains that it made these layoffs to be leaner and more agile.
- Earlier this week, Amazon killed off the free app of the day and replaced it with a new application called Amazon Underground. The new app is meant to offer a lot more apps that the company is calling “actually free”. You can download and install Amazon Underground just like any other Amazon app.
For even more Android apps headlines, updates, and new releases, don’t forget to check out this week’s newsletter. There we have a whole lot more apps and games news that we didn’t have time for here. If you’re so inclined, you can even sign up using your email address and we’ll send it to you every Friday!
Subscribe to Apps Weekly Newsletter
The latest apps, games and Google play news in your inbox once a week.
While you’re at it, why not check out the Android Authority Twitch channel? Yes, we’ll be doing YouTube Gaming very soon as well but we still plan on hanging out on Twitch! Right now our streaming schedule is Sunday and Monday at 4PM EST. Come hang out, chit chat, and play some video games!
AMC
[Price: Free]
Late last week, AMC released its own official application to the Google Play Store. It comes with a lineup of AMC programming including The Walking Dead, Better Call Saul, Hell on WHeels, and a lot more. You do need a cable subscription to have access most of the content but some stuff you’ll be able to access for free. It’s missing some features here and there and the app is suffering from release day bugs, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Get it now on Google Play!
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ Experience app
[Price: Free]
Earlier this week, Samsung released the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ experience apps. The point of these apps is to show people what kind of experience they can get with these devices and Samsung has released similar apps in the past for their flagships. They’re fairly easy to use and it’s a nice experience to have if you plan on buying either of these devices or just want to see what they’re all about.
Get it now on Google Play!
YouTube Gaming
[Price: Free]
YouTube Gaming is finally official and Google has released the official app to prove it. Google’s competitor to Twitch is in full swing and the application will give you access to everyone who is streaming games. You’ll also be able to engage with past broadcasts, plenty of channel and page browsing options, and the app will offer live streams from large events like E3, PAX, and Gamescon. It’s definitely worth checking out and hey, you’ll see us there very soon!
Get it now on Google Play!
Framed
[Price: $0.99]
Framed is an award-winning puzzle game with a unique premise. You are given a set of video clips which you must arrange to create a certain story scene. If you do it incorrectly, you lose and if you do it right, you can proceed. It’s backed by a pretty decent jazz soundtrack and there is a lot of game here to play. It’s definitely something a bit different and actually very fun to play. It’s only $0.99 and it’s worth every penny.
Get it now on Google Play!
Lara Croft GO
[Price: $4.99]
Last and certainly not least this week is Lara Croft GO. This highly anticipated game has finally made its way to Google Play to extremely positive reviews so far. This title features 75 puzzles over five chapters as you guide Lara through obstacles and fights with various creatures. It holds true to the series as you’ll be exploring ancient ruins with mythical puzzles. It looks good, it plays great, and $4.99 isn’t an unfair price at all.
Get it now on Google Play!
Wrap up
If we missed any great Android apps and games news, tell us more about it in the comments! Thanks for reading, watching, and subscribing and we’ll see you next week!
Samsung Gear S2 hits the FCC suggesting two models, a standard and classic
While Samsung might not have a Note-worthy announcement at IFA this year, the company still has a few tricks up its corporate sleeve. Not only is Samsung gearing up to go big with Internet of Things, we also expect a brand new circular smartwatch.
Dubbed the Gear S2, the circular watch is the next evolution the Gear family and hopes to bring a more premium experience alongside side a much more robust SDK and user interface. There’s still a lot of unknowns about the specific hardware and features offered by the S2, but two new filings from the FCC suggest the company will offer at least two models: “SM-R720” and “SM-R732”. While the former is said to simply be called the Gear S2, the latter may reportedly launch as the Gear S2 Classic.
So what are the differences here? Based on the FCC filings, both watches will require a connection to a phone to operate, so more than likely the differences are in the design and material choices. The “Classic” could be the metal-clad darling that we’ve seen in recent teasers from Samsung, while the standard could be of a cheaper material (plastic?) or perhaps simply sport a more modern look. It’s also possible there could be some additional minor differences in the hardware and software features.
With the Apple Watch doing fairly well and several new Android Wear watches on the way, can a circular premium Gear win the hearts of consumers? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Huawei aims high with $800 gold-plated Watch
Huawei may have accidentally revealed that its Android Wear Watch will cost as much as $799.99 and be compatible with iOS. Earlier today, the company teased a September 2nd arrival at IFA 2015 via Twitter, but a tipster pointed us to a legit-looking Amazon listing that shows four flavors of the wearable. The basic version in stainless steel starts at $349.99 with a leather strap, but the highest-end model in gold-plated stainless steel goes for $799.99, making it one of the pricier Android Wear devices out there. Intriguingly, the listing also mentions that the Watch is compatible with iOS 8.2 or later devices.
That means Huawei may have inadvertently confirmed rumors of Android Wear compatibility with Apple’s iPhone, though the mention could just be a mistake. As for the Watch itself, we first saw it back in March and admired it for having a bit of flair. The $349.99 starting price is the same as the LG Watch Urbane, which seems be the Watch’s closest competition, pending new models from Samsung and Motorola. On the other hand, $800 puts the high-end model into Apple Watch territory, price-wise.
Apart from the high- and low-end, there’s a stainless steel black model with a matching band for $449.99 and another gold-plated model with a leather strap running $699.99. However, we’d treat the prices and especially the iOS mention with some doubt, even though the Watch appears to be on Huawei’s Amazon page. You can pre-order it there now, but don’t be shocked if the listing gets pulled. Availability is given as September 2nd, the same as the launch date.
[Thanks, Ryan]
Filed under:
Wearables
Source:
Huawei (Twitter), Amazon
Tags: AndroidWear, Huawei, HuaweiWatch, IFA2015, Leak, Pricing, Watch
Pentagon dives into advanced wearables with Apple, Harvard and others
The Pentagon wants to use wearables for more than just tracking steps. It’s pouring $75 million over the next five years into the FlexTech Alliance — a group made of 162 separate organizations, including Apple, Boeing and Harvard — to create a “Manufacturing Innovation Institute for Flexible Hybrid Electronics.” That may sound like a mouthful, but basically it will explore new ways soldiers can use advanced wearable tech. The findings could even make their way to military ships and aircrafts to monitor their structural integrity in realtime, Reuters reports. Additional funding from other companies and local governments will bring the total investment of the project up to $171 million. “I’ve been pushing the Pentagon to think outside our five-sided box and invest in innovation here in Silicon Valley and in tech communities across the country,” US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a statement today. “Now we’re taking another step forward.”
[Photo credit: Digital Vision/Getty]
Filed under:
Wearables
Via:
Reuters
Source:
TheStreet
Tags: AshCarter, Pentagon, wearables
Here’s our first look at Cliff Bleszinski’s ‘LawBreakers’ in action
We’ve already been introduced to the world of Lawbreakers, the next shooter from the Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski, but now we’ve got our first look at some actual gameplay. And while the science behind the game’s setting may be suspect (it’s a fantastical take on Earth after we’ve blown up the moon), the game’s mechanics seem solid. It’s a class-based multiplayer shooter, similar to Titanfall and Team Fortress, that will also be free-to-play on a variety of platforms (we still don’t have specifics). The trailer introduces some of those classes (and their respective characters): there’s the swift Assassin Kitsune, who can double-jump; Breacher, a gunner who has the unique ability to shoot behind him; and a jetpack-wielding Skirmisher named Maverick. One character, a Titan named Cronos, can also rocket-jump, bringing back fond memories of Bleszinski’s work on Unreal Tournament. Judging from this trailer, Lawbreakers looks like plenty of other shooters, but its unique take on character classes and Bleszinski’s pedigree make it one to keep an eye on.
Filed under:
Gaming
Tags: Bosskey, CliffBleszinski, F2P, FPS, Lawbreakers
Boeing’s portable drone-destroying laser uses an Xbox controller
Drones are playing an ever-expanding role in modern warfare, so it’s no surprise companies like Boeing are developing news ways to shoot them out of the sky. Its last laser was the High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD) — a huge weapon mounted to the top of a truck — and now it’s touting something more portable. The Compact Laser Weapons System fits in four suitcase-sized boxes and can be mounted onto a tripod. It looks like a giant camera and, like the HEL MD, uses an Xbox 360 controller for targeting. As soon as you’re in range though, the system can automatically take over and track the UAV, making sure you get a clean shot. Wired reports that, in one of Boeing’s demos, it only took two seconds at full power to set a drone aflame.
It’s not the most powerful weapon in the defense contractor’s arsenal though. The idea is that an operator would use it to quickly burn a small, targeted spot on the UAV. In theory, this would be enough to deter the drone’s pilot, or maybe cause it to crash without damaging all of its internal parts. (You could then track it down and potentially find out who was flying it in the first place.) Another upside is its potentially unlimited magazine. Unlike missile systems, which have a finite amount of ammunition, a laser can be used as long as there’s a suitable power source. It can be hooked up to a standard 220 volt outlet, a generator or a battery pack. The latter sounds perfect for a laser like this, although Boeing’s solutions reportedly have enough charge for just a few shots right now. If you’re still intrigued like we are though, check out the video below to see it all in action.
[Image Credit: Boeing]
Filed under:
Misc
Source:
Boeing
Tags: boeing, defence, drone, laser, quadcopter, UAV, UnmannedAerialVehicle
AIVAnet 