Adobe’s ‘core’ design apps are now all touch-friendly on Windows
When the Surface Pro 3 was announced last spring, Adobe revealed that it was working on touch-friendly versions of its design apps for Windows. At today’s Max event, the company announced that its collection “core” apps are ready to accept your swipes and taps on compatible devices, like Microsoft’s slate, with new Touch Workspaces. Photoshop and Illustrator already had some touch-based features, but now there’s an expanded software lineup that’ll let you get hands-on with your work across audio, video, motion graphics and graphic design projects. This means that Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects and Audition all accept input with your fingers, in addition the regular ol’ keyboard, trackpad or stylus. And Photoshop’s finger-friendly tools have been revamped to improve performance. Adobe’s timing couldn’t be better either, as Microsoft is poised to announce some new devices in a matter of hours.
Source: Adobe
Sidestepping the carriers: Is Motorola in the right direction?
Carriers have long been a pain, not just for their customers, but also for the smartphone suppliers. While a device is all ready to get in customers’ hands, it first has to go through through the “middle man” and receive the carrier-approved status. This can come in various forms, from physical carrier branding on the phone to bloatware apps.
Also, tired of waiting for that overdue update? Many of the times it’s not the OEM’s fault. The update is merely sitting in the carrier’s holding area until they can test it and make it fit to push out under their terms.
Over the years, we’ve seen OEM’s just suck it up. Phone price subsidizes have been the driving force behind being stuck on carriers. It’s hard to make everyone cough up $700 for a phone (even though people do for computers).
But there is one OEM in particular who is clearly sticking it to the man – Motorola. This year, Motorola ceased carrier involvement with the launch of the newest Moto X flagship. You can’t buy a Moto X Pure from a carrier. It is only sold as an unlocked device, from either Motorola itself or third-party vendors. And the full price starts at $400.
Some may call this too bold of a move. The carrier-way is still how the majority of the market understands phone buying. But we must give Motorola credit for taking a huge risk in an attempt to do it right. Control of the software, updates, design, and pricing is where it belongs – with the company that manufactured the device.
Fortunately, Motorola is not alone. The Un-Carrier (T-Mobile) has been making waves in showing the market the wrongness of the typical carrier strategy. T-Mobile no longer subsidizes phones. And other carriers have begun following suit, with financing options rather than subsidy.
There is also an increasing trend of top smartphone performers coming down in price. Google has been on the forefront of this revolution, beginning with the aggressively priced Nexus 4 and Nexus 5. It followed up this year with the $380 Nexus 5X and $500 Nexus 6P. And you won’t find the 5X or 6P in carrier stores either, they were only launched through the Google Store.
Last year, OnePlus came out of nowhere and offered a “flagship” around $300 (followed by the OnePlus Two). Additionally, we’re seeing fantastic budget offerings from Asus (Zenfone 2) and Alcatel (Idol 3). More strong unlocked options will provide the support needed to wean people off the old ways, and Motorola’s recent move was a big step. We can only hope other OEM’s follow suit.
Just today we’ve seen HTC express that monthly updates are an unrealistic goal. Part of the headache HTC has long had in getting updates out in a timely manner is the lengthy carrier-approval process. It is suspected that the upcoming One A9 will be a strong, budget offering, helping HTC move away from the carrier dependency.
Are you also excited about this unlocked-phone movement and agree that we’re moving in the right direction?
The post Sidestepping the carriers: Is Motorola in the right direction? appeared first on AndroidGuys.
iOS 9 App Slicing Feature Once Again Available for Developers
In late September, Apple announced that app slicing, an App Thinning feature of iOS 9, was unavailable to developers because of an iCloud backup issue. Apple today updated developers on the status of app slicing, noting that it’s once again available for use following the iOS 9.0.2 update and the recent Xcode 7.0.1 update.
The issue affecting app slicing has been fixed, and device-specific versions of apps will be delivered when downloaded by users running iOS 9.0.2 or later.
App slicing is one facet of App Thinning, an iOS 9 feature designed to decrease the size of iOS apps to save valuable space on devices without a lot of storage space. With app slicing, users only download the app assets created for their particular device rather than a full set of assets for multiple devices. For example, on an iPhone 6s, a user will only need to download iPhone 6s specific files, ignoring both larger iPad artwork and lower quality resources for earlier iOS devices.
To take advantage of the space saving features in app slicing, all iOS 9 users should upgrade to iOS 9.0.2. App slicing is not available in earlier versions of iOS 9 or in iOS 8.
Apple Responds to YiSpecter Malware, Says Fix Was Implemented in iOS 8.4
Over the weekend, security site Palo Alto Networks detailed a new iOS malware that’s able to infect non-jailbroken Apple devices using enterprise certificates and private APIs. It originated in Taiwan and China and was installed through several methods, including hijacking traffic from ISPs, an SNS worm on Windows, and offline app installation.
Called YiSpecter, the malware is able to download, install, and launch apps, doing things like replacing existing apps, displaying advertisements in legitimate apps, changing Safari’s default engine, and uploading user information to remote servers.
A popup ad that was able to install YiSpecter on iOS devices
In response to the detailing of YiSpecter, Apple has released an official statement to The Loop explaining that YiSpecter is only able to target iOS users who are running an older version of iOS that have also downloaded content from untrusted sources.
“This issue only impacts users on older versions of iOS who have also downloaded malware from untrusted sources. We addressed this specific issue in iOS 8.4 and we have also blocked the identified apps that distribute this malware. We encourage customers to stay current with the latest version of iOS for the latest security updates. We also encourage them to only download from trusted sources like the App Store and pay attention to any warnings as they download apps.”
Apple implemented fixes for YiSpecter in iOS 8.4, so iOS 8.4.1 and iOS 9 are immune to the malware. Users who want to avoid being targeted by YiSpecter should make sure to upgrade to the latest version of iOS and as always, should avoid downloading apps from unverified sources.
Apple Expanding Maps Transit Directions to Boston and Sydney
Apple today updated its iOS 9 features page to highlight two new cities where transit directions in the Maps app are now available: Sydney, Australia and Boston, Massachusetts. Sydney and Boston are the first two cities to gain transit information beyond the first wave launch cities.
Transit directions within Maps became available alongside the launch of iOS 9. The first areas that incorporated public transit information into Maps included Baltimore, Maryland; Berlin, Germany; Chicago, Illinois; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico, New York City, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, DC; and Toronto, Canada. Transit directions are also available within hundreds of cities in China.
Apple is planning to expand the availability of transit directions to other cities going forward, with major metropolitan areas being a priority for the company. It appears transit information in Sydney and Boston may still be rolling out as it is not yet accessible to all users in Apple Maps.
Today’s transit update follows recent news that Apple will soon shut down HopStop, the mapping company that it purchased in 2013. The HopStop service offered detailed subway, bus, train, taxi, walking and biking directions in more than 600 countries throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and has likely played a major part in the development of the long-awaited transit feature within Apple Maps.
Verizon stops moving forward with Sony Xperia Z4v launch plans
Verizon earlier announced that it would be exclusively carrying the Sony Xperia Z4v. And now, the carrier has updated the product announcement saying that it will no longer be going ahead with those plans.
It’s certainly a disappointment for Sony fans, but Verizon could still carry new Sony devices in the future. Here’s what Verizon had to say:
Verizon will no longer be launching Xperia Z4v, however we are committed to supporting Sony Mobile’s product portfolio and will support existing products. Sony is a strategic partner as we continue having ongoing discussions together as part of our future portfolio.
With a Octa-Core Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 20.7-megapixel Exmor RS sensor, the device was one of Sony’s more impressive handsets. It’s unfortunate that Verizon will not carry it, however, it’ll be interesting to see what Verizon and Sony plan to partner with next.
source: Verizon
Come comment on this article: Verizon stops moving forward with Sony Xperia Z4v launch plans
Android 6.0 Marshmallow update begins rolling out over-the-air
Google took to its blog to announce that it has begun rolling out the much anticipated Android 6.0 over-the-air update for Nexus users. It brings with it a whole bevy of cool new features, such as Now on Tap, better battery life, and more.
Google released the factory images for many of its Nexus devices earlier today, allowing users to manually install it. For those not interested in going that route, you should be getting a prompt to download the update over-the-air shortly. If you haven’t gotten it yet, just head on into your devices settings menu and check for it manually.
Keep in mind that the Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 (2012) will not be getting the update. However, it won’t be long before it’s made available via a custom ROM, but who knows how well it’ll actually perform.
Now we just sit and wait for Android 6.0 on flagships from manufacturers like LG and Samsung. Anyone get the update on their Nexus device yet?
source: Google (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Android 6.0 Marshmallow update begins rolling out over-the-air
Apple Watch Hermès leather bands are now available
In case you haven’t been paying attention for the last seven months or so, it’s very, very easy to spend a lot of money on an Apple Watch. But if Apple’s own lineup of bands and crazy expensive solid-gold cases aren’t exactly working with your own personal aesthetic, fear not: today, the newly-announced set of Hermès leather bands are now available in selected Apple Stores and Hermès locations around the world.
As a refresher, Hermès is an iconic Paris-based fashion designer and manufacture that has a particular focus on high-quality leather products. As such, they’ve created three different leather bands for the Apple Watch: a fairly traditional leather band called the Single Tour, a longer, double-wrapping strap called the Double Tour, and a wider, chunkier band called the Cuff. The Single Tour model starts at $1,110, comes in both 38mm and 42mm sizing options and is available in three different colors (depending on which size you choose). The Double Tour is for the 38mm Watch only and comes in four different colors, while the Cuff is for 42mm Watches only and is available in one single leather finish.
Fortunately, your hard-earned cash doesn’t just go towards these fancy new straps — you’ll also get an exclusive Hermes-designed watch face and the Hermès logo engraved on the back of your Watch’s body. On the one hand, it’s easy to laugh at these prices, but a partnership with an internationally-recognized fashion designer like Hermès could go a long way towards positioning the Apple Watch as the fashionable timepiece the company wants it to be viewed as. And to keep things properly exclusive, the Apple Watch Hermès is only available in retail stores — no utilitarian online orders will be accepted for this
Via: Apple Insider
Bud Light’s connected fridge ensures you never run out of beer
There’s no good time to run out of beer. And if it’s going to happen, it’s usually when you have friends over or your team is in a close game. To ease the frustration of drinking up all of your suds, Bud Light has the Bud-E Fridge. The mini fridge for folks who are #UPFORWHATEVER monitors the number of bottles inside (it holds 78, by the way) and lets you now when they hit the “optimal temperature” for drinking. There’s also a display on the outside, so a quick glance at the door lets who know how many beers you have. Those stats are beamed via WiFi to a mobile app on both iOS and Android which will also alert you if the game day supply is too low when your favorite NFL team is getting ready to take the field. It also has a countdown timer so you’ll know the exact moment those beers hit the proper temp.
As you might expect, the fridge also works with Bud Light’s home delivery effort so you won’t have to leave the couch when the stock gets dangerously low. Unfortunately, the Bud-E Fridge is only available to California residents right now, and you need to be in San Francisco, LA or San Diego to have a fresh supply delivered. If you happen to live in the Golden State, though, you can snag one for $299 before the price goes up to a whopping $599. Of course, the crew here at Engadget HQ wonders if you could use the fridge to manage your supply of good beer. We’re willing to skip the delivery feature to give it a go.
Via: CNBC
Source: PR Newswire, Bud Light
Sony and Verizon just scrapped the Xperia Z4v’s US launch
Sony makes a mean smartphone, but it could never quite crack the macadamia nut that is the US mobile market. For while there it seemed like it had another fighting chance in the Verizon-only Z4v, too. Not anymore. After much hemming and hawing about its release date, a Sony spokesperson confirmed in an email that Sony and Verizon aren’t bringing the Z4v to America after all. Way to keep us hanging, guys.
“Sony Mobile remains dedicated to the US market and aims to build a sound and stable business in this region,” the statement reads. “Verizon is a strategic partner as we continue having ongoing discussions together as part of our future portfolio.” That’s nice, but it also means Sony doesn’t have much of a portfolio to speak of right now at all. A quick check of the big 4 US wireless carriers’ websites shows precisely one Sony smartphone available for sale now: a $179 pre-owned Xperia Z1S from T-Mobile. We’re sure people are just champing at the bit to get their hands on it, too. There would’ve been more Sony-flavored options but Verizon — one of the company’s biggest US supporters — discontinued the mostly solid Z3v shortly after the Z4v was announced. Perhaps that was… a little premature.
Anyway, it’s maybe not hard to see why Sony and Verizon seemed to just wash their hands of this thing. Sony’s impressive Z5 smartphone family is slated for a global launch in October (a.k.a. this month) and its likely someone up in the corporate chain of command went nope, launching the Z4v right now makes no sense. They were probably right! Regardless, the Z4v was certainly nothing to sneeze at it with its Snapdragon 810 chipset, 3GB of RAM, 20.7-megapixel camera and Quad HD screen — it might not have been everyone’s cup of tea but surely someone would’ve gained a newfound appreciation for Sony after using it. Oh well. Bring on the Z5s, then.
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