Ford’s premieres Sync Connect, an app that lets you remotely start your car
Smartphones are ubiquitous, vehicles are ubiquitous. It only makes sense that the two should live in harmony!
Ford has unveiled a new app called Sync Connect that will allow users to pair their smartphones to their vehicles. Using your phone, you can unlock the doors or start the engine, but it does a lot more than that. Modern vehicles have a lot more digital features going on than their analog predecessors. That means that important information such as your oil condition or fuel and battery levels are tracked via your vehicle’s computer.
With Sync Connect, this information is in the palm of your hand, giving you up to the second data on exactly how your vehicle is fairing. GPS integration means you never have to hunt for your ride in a crowded parking lot again – although Google Now has made that less of a problem than ever before.
See also: 13 best GPS app and navigation app options for Android
Ford is showcasing this ability with the Ford Escape, which is their second-highest selling vehicle model behind the Ford F-150. Ford is something of an icon of mass production, so you know that when Ford adopts a feature, it’s probably going to be mainstream sometime in the near future.
For a while now, we’ve been able to unlock our vehicles with proximity sensitive dongles and other keyless functions, but what if all that technology were integrated with our smartphones? If Ford is any indication, this could be the reality we can look forward to.
Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee now available in the Google Play Store
First announced back in June, Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee has finally made its way to the Google Play Store. Munch’s Oddysee was released for the Xbox way back in 2001 and is the third game made by Oddworld Inhabitants. The game has been slated to come to mobile devices for quite some time, so it’s great to finally see it become available.
So what’s this title all about? Much like other Oddworld games, Munch’s Oddysee is very strange. You’ll guide the Mudokon champion Abe, along with his Gabbit partner Munch, to reclaim the last gabbit eggs on Oddworld. You’ll need to use a combination of special psychic powers, power-ups and other special abilities to help recover the eggs that have been packaged in a can of gabbiar.
There are a few differences between the mobile version and the original Xbox title. The mobile version features much better graphics and improved sound quality. It also comes with HID controller support, achievements, cloud save capabilities, and just like the original version, it features multiple endings depending on which path you take.
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Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee is now available in the Play Store for $4.99. There are no in-app purchases, either. The developer notes that you’ll need to have a device with decent specifications in order for the game to run properly. According to the Play Store description, your device needs to have at least a 1.2 GHz dual-core CPU, 1GB RAM, Adreno 220, Nvidia Tegra 3, ARM Mali 400-MP, PowerVR SGX 543MP, Intel HD Graphics or Vivante GC1000 GPU. We’re sure the game will run on devices with lesser specs than this, but performance likely won’t be optimal. If you’re interested, head to the Play Store link below for the download.
Google announces Senior Web Developer Nanodegree, new minimum app prices and more
Google today at the Chrome Dev Summit announced quite a few changes to the way developers can utilize the Google Play Store to help grow their application and game businesses. For starters, Google is now letting devs in 17 different countries reduce the price of their paid apps, games and in-app purchases. This change will give developers more flexibility in pricing their services to better suit consumers in different areas. Here is the list of countries affected by this change, along with their new and old minimum pricing requirements:
- Brazil: R$ 0.99 (was R$2.50)
- Chile: CLP $200.00 (was CLP $500.00)
- Colombia: COP$ 800.00 (was COP$ 2000.00)
- Hungary: Ft 125.00 (was Ft 225.00)
- Indonesia: Rp 3,000.00 (was Rp 12,000.00)
- Malaysia: RM 1.00 (was RM 3.50)
- Mexico: MXN$ 5.00 (was MXN$ 9.90)
- Philippines: ₱15.00 (was ₱43.00)
- Poland: zł1.79 (was zł2.99)
- Peru: S/. 0.99 (was S/. 3.00)
- Russia: руб 15.00 (was руб 2.00)
- Saudi Arabia:﷼ 0.99 (was 2.00﷼)
- South Africa: R3.99 (was R10.00)
- Thailand: ฿10.00 (was ฿32.00)
- Turkey: ₺0.59 (was ₺2.00)
- Ukraine: ₴5.00 (was ₴8.00)
- Vietnam: ₫6,000 (was ₫21,000.00)
Last year, Google introduced a handy playbook for developers to help them grow their app and game businesses. The book, entitled “The Secrets to App Success on Google Play”, was downloaded more than 200,000 times. Today Google has released the second edition of the book, which covers all the new tools such as Store Listing Experiments, Smart Lock for Password and more. It also gives the best practices for improving the quality of your app, ways to grow a valuable audience, increase engagement and retention and more. If you’re interested in the new edition, follow the Play Store link below for the free download.
Download The Secrets to App Success on Google Play (Second Edition) from Google Play
Last but certainly not least, Google has also introduced a new Senior Web Developer Nanodegree Program with Udacity. This course will teach you the tools, frameworks and techniques needed to write robust code for progressive web applications that are both secure and easy to use. If you were to spend about 10 hours per week on this course, most students will be able to earn this Nanodegree credential in about 9-12 months.
Google explains:
Along the way, [students] will also learn how to integrate new technologies, such as Service Worker and Web Components, and work extensively with Gulp and other tools. You’ll hear from Google experts, such as Ido Green, Jake Archibald (co-author of the Service Worker spec), Luke Wroblewski (author and strategist), Paul Bakaus (Studio 5 CTO, Zynga) and Alice Boxhall (author of the Chrome accessibility developer tools).
Interested in signing up? You can do so one of two ways. The first way is the paid route, where you’ll have access to code-level project reviews and feedback, coaching, support from a cohort of peers, building a portfolio of work and career support services. The second option is free and includes the same instructional courses, quizzes and projects individually, which you can take at your own pace.
For more information on this new course and to be notified when enrollment opens, head to the link attached below.
Apple Pay Support Coming to Dominos By Year’s End, Cinnabon Next Year
Apple has confirmed to AP that Apple Pay support is coming to pizza chain Dominos by year’s end, followed by cinnamon roll chain Cinnabon next year. The news comes less than two months after Apple said Starbucks, KFC and Chili’s locations will begin supporting Apple Pay starting next year.
Apple said Tuesday that Cinnabon will add Apple Pay to all its U.S. locations next year, while Domino’s company-owned pizza stores will get it by year’s end. Earlier, Apple said Starbucks will conduct a pilot this year, with a broader rollout next year, while KFC will launch next spring.
Apple Pay is accepted at more than 1 million locations in the U.S., and at over 250,000 more locations in the U.K. The mobile payments service launched in Canada for American Express cardholders earlier today, with participating retailers including Apple, Indigo, McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, Staples and more.
While Cinnabon and Dominos also have Canadian subsidiaries, both chains will support Apple Pay at U.S. locations only at launch.
Apple also confirmed that Apple Pay will launch in Australia on Thursday, November 19, exclusively for American Express customers. Apple Pay will launch in partnership with American Express in Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong next year. Apple has not disclosed plans for other countries.
Apple Pay gained support for Tesco Bank and TSB in the U.K. today, in addition to nearly 100 new participating U.S. issuers.
Discuss this article in our forums
Synaptics Natural ID fingerprint readers can work through glass displays
Fingerprint sensors in smartphones are great, but there is one huge thing that sucks about them. The placement. Some are built into the home button like on the Samsung Galaxy devices, but others are awkwardly on the back like on the new Nexus. However, this may all be a thing of the past thanks to Synaptics Natural ID.
Today, Synaptics announced that they are testing thier fingerprint readers to work through glass displays. This would mean the fingerprint reader could be built directly into the display of your next phone.
Synaptics already has a fingerprint reader that can work through glass, but these new ones can work through glass twice as thick (200 micrometers or thinner) as the last gen. Still pretty thin, but they are headed in the right direction.
Press Release:
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Nov. 17, 2015 – Synaptics Incorporated (NASDAQ: SYNA), the leading developer of human interface solutions, today announced sampling and a live demonstration of its Natural ID fingerprint authentication technology under greater than 200μm cover glass, addressing the option of button-free industrial designs for smartphones. This versatile new fingerprint sensor solution is designed to operate through glass buttons as well as thicker cover glass. Synaptics’ under glass fingerprint solution is a significant advancement and a critical next step to putting capacitive fingerprint sensors under the smartphone cover glass. Synaptics will demonstrate this new technology at its Analyst and Investor Meeting on November 17, and at CES in January 2016.
Synaptics’ second generation under glass fingerprint authentication product senses under thicker glass than any other solution currently on the market at greater than 200μm. This technology is fully architected in-house and highlights the strategic acquisition of Validity. The company’s first generation under glass button (up to 100μm thick glass) solution is available today for mass production.
“We are very pleased to demonstrate our new under cover glass biometric solution and showcase our leadership. Our solution eliminates the cutout, which allows smartphone OEMs to improve yields and offer creative new industrial designs. End users will benefit from an improved user experience and a more durable, scratch-resistant smartphone,” said Ritu Favre, senior vice president, general manager, Biometrics Product Division, Synaptics.
Availability:
Synaptics’ new under cover glass fingerprint authentication solution (greater than 200μm thick glass) is sampling today with mass production availability in Q1 CY2016.About Synaptics:
Synaptics is the pioneer and leader of the human interface revolution, bringing innovative and intuitive user experiences to intelligent devices. Synaptics’ broad portfolio of touch, display, and biometrics products is built on the company’s rich R&D, extensive IP and dependable supply chain capabilities. With solutions designed for mobile, PC and automotive industries, Synaptics combines ease of use, functionality and aesthetics to enable products that help make our digital lives more productive, secure and enjoyable. (NASDAQ: SYNA) http://www.synaptics.com.
Come comment on this article: Synaptics Natural ID fingerprint readers can work through glass displays
Todoist is bringing its popular productivity app to Windows 10
Todoist’s take on the to-do list is handy for keep your daily agenda organized, and now it’s available for Windows 10 users. The free productivity app is available for Microsoft’s operating system as a preview, syncing those important tasks across mobile and desktop devices. And yes, it will update across operating systems too, in cause you need to tuck your Surface Pro 3 away and check your to-do list on your iPhone or Android handset. Many of the tools are held over from desktop, iOS and Android versions of the app including setting due dates, managing tasks and collaborating with your colleagues. Just like the add-on for Gmail, there’s an Outlook extension that allows you to turn emails into tasks with a click or tap. For larger screens like the Surface tablets, Todoist offers a three-pane view to help keep things organized and easy to find. While the app supports Live Tiles now, it’ll also play nice with Cortana in the near future. If you’re looking to give it a shot, the Todoist preview is available in the Windows Store now. Slideshow-341591
Source: Todoist, Windows Store
Google+ has been completely redesigned with a focus on communities
Much like the Google logo before it, Google+ is being completely reinvented today. In a blog post, Google says that after pulling in feedback from users it has decided to focus the former do-everything social network around two key features: communities and collections. Collections launched earlier this year as a way to let users gather a bunch of content together around a single idea and share it with other users, while the older communities section encouraged users of similar interests to share “whatever you’re into,” be it food, sports, photography, the country of New Zealand, or anything else. The new version is rolling out today on the web, iOS and Android — you’ll need to opt-in if you’re viewing it from your browser, and the apps don’t appear to have gone live just yet.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Google
More Apple Stores Begin Receiving Very Limited Stock of Apple Pencil
While the iPad Pro launched nearly a week ago, many early adopters have been unable to get their hands on the companion Apple Pencil. With shipping estimates of 3-4 weeks or longer for the accessory on the Apple Online Store, some prospective buyers have been checking their local Apple Retail Stores for stock and tracking their results in our discussion forums.
Apple Pencil stock at SoHo Apple Store in New York City earlier today
Beginning early Tuesday, it appears that more Apple Retail Stores in the U.S. have begun receiving very limited Apple Pencil stock. MacRumors forum member JuanKr shared the above picture of Apple Pencil stock at the SoHo Apple Store in Manhattan, New York, while we have independently confirmed Apple Pencil stock as of writing at the Oakridge Apple Store in San Jose, California.
MacRumors forum members have shared a handful of other Apple Stores with Apple Pencil stock over the past 24 hours, listed below, although some have since sold out and we cannot guarantee stock remaining at every store due to the combination of limited supplies and strong demand. We recommend calling your local Apple Store prior to visiting, but some customers have had better luck in person.
– SanTan Village in Gilbert, AZ
– Arrowhead in Glendale, AZ
– Burlingame Avenue in Burlingame, CA
– Los Cerritos in Cerritos, CA
– South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA
– Century City in Los Angeles, CA
– Manhattan Village in Manhattan Beach, CA
– UTC in San Diego, CA
– Union Square in San Francisco, CA
– Oakridge in San Jose, CA
– Valley Fair in Santa Clara, CA
– Park Meadows in Lone Tree, CO
– Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, CT
– Stamford Town Center in Stamford, CT
– Lenox Square in Atlanta, GA
– Boylston Street in Boston, MA
– CambridgeSide in Cambridge, MA
– Derby Street in Hingham, MA
– Bethesda Row in Bethesda, MD
– Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, NC
– King Street in Charleston, SC
– Haywood Mall in Greenville, SC
– Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, NY
– Grand Central in Manhattan, NY
– West 14th Street in Manhattan, NY
– Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH
– Walnut Street in Philadelphia, PA
– Pentagon City in Arlington, VA
– Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, VA
– Bellevue Square in Bellevue, WA
– University Village in Seattle, WA
– Georgetown in Washington D.C.
The first batch of Apple Pencil online orders began shifting to “Preparing for Shipment” status earlier this week, while Smart Keyboards remain scarce both online and in stores. Most Apple Stores have plenty of Logitech Create keyboards available for the iPad Pro as an alternative.
Discuss this article in our forums
App and in-app purchase prices lowered by Google in 17 locales
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The minimum purchase price for an app, or any associated in-app purchases, has just been lowered by Google in 17 countries. The U.S. isn’t affected and remains at the normal $0.99 base pricing, unless, of course, Google wants to run a special. The minimum price drop follows a successful pilot that took place earlier this year in India and gives developers and businesses new pricing options to deliver their apps and in-app purchasing. Check out the list and the previous vs. new lower price options.
Countries affected:
- Brazil: R$ 0.99 (was R$2.50)
- Chile: CLP $200.00 (was CLP $500.00)
- Colombia: COP$ 800.00 (was COP$ 2000.00)
- Hungary: Ft 125.00 (was Ft 225.00)
- Indonesia: Rp 3,000.00 (was Rp 12,000.00)
- Malaysia: RM 1.00 (was RM 3.50)
- Mexico: MXN$ 5.00 (was MXN$ 9.90)
- Philippines: ₱15.00 (was ₱43.00)
- Poland: zł1.79 (was zł2.99)
- Peru: S/. 0.99 (was S/. 3.00)
- Russia: руб 15.00 (was руб 2.00)
- Saudi Arabia:﷼ 0.99 (was 2.00﷼)
- South Africa: R3.99 (was R10.00)
- Thailand: ฿10.00 (was ฿32.00)
- Turkey: ₺0.59 (was ₺2.00)
- Ukraine: ₴5.00 (was ₴8.00)
- Vietnam: ₫6,000 (was ₫21,000.00)
While U.S. listings won’t see a minimum reduction, developers who distribute globally will be able to pull their pricing down a bit to hopefully capture more profits and distribution.
Source: Google
The post App and in-app purchase prices lowered by Google in 17 locales appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
“The Secrets to App Success on Google Play” V2 now available, plus new video series
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Google certainly does their bet to help developers grow. They do this in a multitude of ways. From developer conferences, to online training courses to books. Last year they released a book to the Play Store entitled “The Secrets to App Success on Google Play”. It was all about how help grow your app or game business. A lot has changed with Android in the last year, like Smart Lock, and Google has taken it upon themselves to deliver a second edition to the book that was downloaded over 200,000 times.
In V2 Google goes over best practices for improving the quality of your app, growing a valuable audience, increasing engagement and retention, and earning more revenue for yourself or business. The second edition is currently only available to pick up in English, but they will be releasing it in Bahasa Indonesia, Deutsch, español (Latinoamérica), le français, português do Brasil, tiếng Việt, русский язы́к, ไทย, 한국어, 中文 (简体), 中文 (繁體), 日本語. You can snag the book in the Google Play Store or download a PDF version for your viewing pleasure.
To accompany the release of the second edition book, Google has also rolled out a “Tips for Success on Google Play video series. In the 10 videos Google a variety of tips improve your PLay Store listing, get more installs, increase engagement, increase earnings and plenty more.
You can find the whole list of videos on the Android Developers YouTube channel. They say they will be releasing weekly videos to help all you amazing developers gains the success and achievements many of your deserve.
Snag the “The Secrets to App Success on Google Play V2” book on Google Play, or hit the link below to get the PDF version.
Source: Google
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