Japan is planning an unmanned moon mission for 2019
Japan’s space program announced today that it wants to become the fourth country to successfully land an unmanned vessel on the moon. The scheduled launch date is planned for 2019 and even though it seems like the world is focused on Mars and beyond right now, Japan wants to show off the latest in lander technology. The craft will use facial recognition software to drastically increase landing accuracy. The on-board technology can scan the surface of the Moon and make slight adjustments to touch down within 100 meters of the target landing site — that’s dramatically better than anything America, China or Russia have launched. Completing this project will help beef up the country’s standing in space exploration. With this said, if it has taken this long for Japan to reach the moon, wonder what year they’re going to get to Mars?
Source: The Wall Street Journal Japan
Google debuts YouTube Music, the Music Video only variant of YouTube
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Google has released another new app into the wild today, YouTube Music. Much like Google did with YouTube Gaming, YouTube Music is all about the tunes and videos to back them up. Think, MTV when it was cool, but on your phone or tablet whenever you want it. In simplest form YouTube Music is a skinned version of YouTube that is designed to deliver you the music you love by way of music videos. Tap on an artist, track or album and YouTube Music will pick up from there continually playing similar music.
YouTube Music is tied in with YouTube Red which is the monthly subscription to knock out ads, offline listening, audio only mode and other goodies. If you don’t have a YouTube Red subscription you will be given a free 14 day trial when you first launch the new YouTube Music app. However, you don’t NEED the subscription to enjoy the app or service, you just won’t get the extra perks like listening with the app minimized or ad-free listening.
If you want to give it a whirl, hit the link below to pick it up. As with any new app, expect some things to change soon in future updates. Seems comments on the Play Store are already digging in and giving Google an ear full over orientation and controls not vanishing.
http://playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js
The post Google debuts YouTube Music, the Music Video only variant of YouTube appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Review: Brydge Debuts Smaller ‘BrydgeMini’ Keyboard for Older iPad Mini Models
Brydge, a company that sells high-quality keyboards for the iPad, has expanded its keyboard lineup with a new BrydgeMini model designed to work with the iPad mini 1, 2, and 3. With the BrydgeMini, which has been modeled after a MacBook keyboard, the iPad mini turns into a miniature MacBook – albeit with a much more cramped typing surface.
Like all Brydge keyboards, the BrydgeMini is made from aluminum that matches the finish of the iPad. It’s available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold, and the build quality is excellent. Brydge charges a lot for its keyboards, but they’re almost always worth the cost. The BrydgeMini isn’t a keyboard case – it’s just a keyboard, with two silicone-lined tabs that hold the iPad mini in place. The BrydgeMini has a limited number of viewing angles as the tabs can be angled forwards or backwards slightly, but due to the design, it can’t be used with the iPad in portrait mode.
The BrydgeMini is identical to the BrydgeAir but has been shrunk down, so if you’ve used a BrydgeAir keyboard, the BrydgeMini will be familiar.
It doesn’t fold backwards to allow the iPad to be used in tablet mode while the keyboard is attached, but it’s easy enough to remove the iPad mini from the tabs. It does fold forward into a clamshell-style design for travel, but in this mode, it’s going to add a lot of bulk to Apple’s littlest tablet. It weighs in at 300 grams or .66 pounds, essentially doubling the weight of the iPad mini. The iPad mini weighs 331 grams or 0.73 pounds.
The BrydgeMini is also quite thick, so when in clamshell mode, it’s going to double the thickness of the iPad mini. It’ll still fit comfortably in a bag or backpack, but it’s definitely negating the slim profile of the iPad.
Moto X Style and Moto X (2014) now receiving Marshmallow in India and Brazil
According to Motorola’s David Schuster on Google+, the company has just begun rolling out the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow to two of its devices in select regions. Motorola Moto X Style retail units in India and Brazil should be receiving the update starting today, as well as Moto X (2014) retail units in Brazil.
Pure Edition owners will have to wait
Full deployment for the update will proceed in stages over the next few weeks. Schuster also says Motorola has started the approval process for the Moto X Pure Edition, so U.S. users should expect an update to come to their devices in the next few weeks.
Motorola has provided a full changelog for the Moto X Style’s Android 6 update, giving users a good idea as to what they can expect. If you don’t have time to sift through the full changelog, users can expect to see notable features come to their devices such as Google Now on Tap, improved volume controls, a new memory manager, Doze mode to help improve standby time, improved text selection and much, much more.
See also: Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates roundup – November 12, 2015
Reading through the changelog is just part of the story. Be sure to check out Joe’s informative video explaining all the new features in Android 6.0 Marshmallow. We’ll of course keep you updated if we hear anything regarding the update for Pure Edition owners. If you reside in Brazil or India and happen to get the update, be sure to let us know what you think of it in the comment section below!
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Fossil is buying fitness wearable maker Misfit for $260 million
Less than one month after the watchmaker unveiled its first Android Wear-powered smartwatches, Fossil has announced its plans to acquire fitness tracker company Misfit. This will allow the watchmaker to offer consumers both traditional timepieces as well as a wide variety of connected wearables and accessories. Fossil says one of the main reasons for purchasing the company is so that they can own a technology platform that’s already solved some of the hardest problems in the wearable market, such as battery life.
Misfit founder Sonny Vu will serve as the president and chief technology officer of connected devices
As for the transaction details, Fossil Group expects the deal to close before the end of fiscal 2015. The purchase price is $260 million. Sonny Vu, Misfit’s founder, will serve as the president and chief technology officer of connected devices for Fossil, and has also secured his spot on the company’s executive leadership team.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Fossil Group to usher in the next era of wearables where elegance, beauty and long-lasting wearability are paramount,” says Vu. “Together, we will introduce products that blend Misfit’s seamless, intuitive technology and user experience with the design, style and branding that is the hallmark of Fossil Group.”
Fossil’s newly-announced Founder smartwatch comes with a higher-end design that we’re not entirely used to seeing in an Android Wear device. Priced at $275 and coming to retail shelves sometime this holiday season, the Founder will be available in two variants, one with a leather band and one with a steel band. We’re still awaiting full details on the watch’s specs and availability.
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10 best note taking apps for Android
One of the many great things about having a smartphone is the ability to take notes. Gone are the days where inspirations were lost because you couldn’t find a notebook and you now carry your grocery list in your pocket all day, every day. Of course, you’ll want the right app for that job so lets take a look at the best note taking apps for Android!
ColorNote
[Price: Free]
First on our list is ColorNotes. This is a simple note taking application that allows you to create text notes, lists, and more. Its namesake feature is the ability to change the background color of notes to help you stay organized, a feature it had long before Google Keep came out. Some other features include calendar support, backup support to both internal and cloud storage, some task reminder features, and more. Best of all, it’s completely free.
Get it now on Google Play!
Evernote
[Price: Free / optional subscription]
Evernote is pretty much the upper tier when it comes to note taking apps. It is loaded with features of all kinds, including various note types, notebook support, organizational features, collaboration features, note sharing, and, of course, cross-platform support. If you get the optional subscription, you’ll get more storage space, offline access, PDF annotation, and more. It’s powerful and it’s definitely worth a shot if you need something a little more than just a basic note app.
Get it now on Google Play!
Fast Notepad
[Price: Free]
Fast Notepad is a relatively newer option in the note taking space and it’s already getting some seriously positive reviews. This Material Design-inspired application is just a quick note taking app. There are no extra features, no ads, and nothing to bloat the app whatsoever. It works very quickly and well enough for what it’s designed to do. It’s a great option for people who just need something simple and quick. Of course, the caveat is that to maintain quickness, the app does lack some features.
Get it now on Google Play!
FiiNote
[Price: Free]
FiiNote is from the same developers who did FreeNote which used to be on this list many years ago. FiiNote is a fun little note taking application that provides a more authentic experience. It comes with a grid background along with stylus/drawing support so you can type notes, write them, or draw them if you want. You can also add images, video, and voice if you want to. It’s free to use and comes with a decent set of features for those looking for a hybrid note taking experience.
Get it now on Google Play!
Google Keep
[Price: Free]
Google’s note taking app is called Google Keep and it’s one that you’ll hear a lot of people recommend. It uses a very colorful, Material Design-inspired interface that both looks great and is highly functional. Notes show up as cards that you can quickly scroll through and select. The app is integrated with Google Drive, allows for voice and photo to be added to notes, and you can even share notes and set reminders. It’s a good note taking app that has just enough features to be super useful but not so many that it’s bloated.
Get it now on Google Play!
LectureNotes
[Price: Free demo / $3.59]
LectureNotes is a popular, highly rated, and powerful note taking application. This one isn’t so much geared toward general note taking as it is geared toward things like academia and professional use. It was one of the earliest apps to include stylus support and remains one of the best ones to have this today. It has support for OneNote and Evernote along with PDF support, audio and video recording capabilities (for recording lectures or meetings), and a lot more. It’s a seriously good app.
Get it now on Google Play!
NotePad+
[Price: Free / $0.99]
Notepad+ bills itself as a universal application for taking notes, drawing, doodling, sketching, and all sorts of other stuff. It’s a bit different from other apps in this category thanks to its free-flowing nature. You can literally do anything from doodle a picture to take actual notes and pretty much everything between the two. It comes with various color themes, unlimited notes (limited only by your own internal storage), multi-page notes, and even a passcode feature for security.
Get it now on Google Play!
OneNote
[Price: Free]
Microsoft’s OneNote is a standalone note taking app that works on the OneDrive surface similar to how Google Keep works on Google Drive. It has a bunch of features including organization features, cross-platform support, widgets, Android Wear support, collaboration features, and support for voice, text, and photo additions to notes. It’s fairly powerful and a must-have application if you use Microsoft’s series of productivity apps.
Get it now on Google Play!
Simplenote
[Price: Free]
Simplenote, as the name implies, is a simple note taking app. Must like Fast Note, it intentionally removes a lot of the features you’d see in other apps in favor of speed and to help keep the app lightweight. Unlike Fast Note, it does have some other features. It offers syncing between your devices and also an organization system that works off of tags and pins so you can quickly find the notes you’re looking for. All of it is also totally free.
Get it now on Google Play!
SomNote
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Last and certainly not least on our list is SomNote. This note taking application has quite a few features and caters more to long-form note taking rather than simple things like grocery lists or reminders. It has a folder system for easy organization, a locking mechanism to keep things secure, and theming options. There is also a syncing feature so you can go back and forth between devices. It’s a good, solid app that does what it says it does.
Get it now on Google Play!
Wrap up
If we missed any great note taking apps, tell us about them in the comments! If you want to stay up to date on the latest Android apps and games news, you can use the form below to sign up for our newsletter!
To see our complete list of Android apps and games lists, click here!
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Fossil scoops up Misfit for $260 million
The wearables market is very competitive, causing mergers and acquisitions (or partnerships, at least) to be the best route for many companies. Tonight, Fossil announced that it will be acquiring Misfit for a whopping $260 million. The apparel designer sees Misfit as an opportunity to expand its presence in connected accessories.
Fossil was specific in naming what is gained by acquiring Misfit:
- Own a technology platform that has already solved many of the hardest problems in wearables, including battery life.
- Scale Misfit’s technology across Fossil, Skagen and a targeted portion of its portfolio of 16 brands in 2016, ultimately accelerating the company’s connected accessory roadmap.
- Expand its addressable market with new distribution channels, new products, new brands and new enterprise partnerships, including music, fitness, healthcare and digital entities.
- Lead in the connected devices space by harnessing the power of a world-class software and hardware engineering team spearheaded by Misfit Founder, Sonny Vu.
Source: Misfit
Fossil Group, Inc. to Acquire Wearable Technology Innovator Misfit
Acquisition of Leading Technology Platform and World-Class Engineering Team Will Fuel Rapid Growth in Wearable Technology
RICHARDSON, Texas, Nov. 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fossil Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:FOSL) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Misfit, Inc., an innovator in wearable technology and stylish connected devices. The acquisition will enable Fossil Group to expand its addressable market, offering consumers both traditional timepieces and fashionable connected accessories. Misfit brings to Fossil Group a scalable cloud and app platform, a world-class software and hardware engineering team, a native wearable technology brand and a pipeline of innovative products.
“We have a significant opportunity to add technology and connectivity across our platform of watches and accessories,” said Kosta Kartsotis, chief executive officer of Fossil Group. “With the acquisition of Misfit, Fossil Group will be uniquely positioned to lead the convergence of style and technology and to become the fashion gateway to the high-growth wearable technology and connected device markets.”
The acquisition will enable Fossil Group to:
- Own a technology platform that has already solved many of the hardest problems in wearables, including battery life.
- Scale Misfit’s technology across Fossil, Skagen and a targeted portion of its portfolio of 16 brands in 2016, ultimately accelerating the company’s connected accessory roadmap.
- Expand its addressable market with new distribution channels, new products, new brands and new enterprise partnerships, including music, fitness, healthcare and digital entities.
- Lead in the connected devices space by harnessing the power of a world-class software and hardware engineering team spearheaded by Misfit Founder, Sonny Vu.
“We fundamentally believe consumers care about both technical functionality and fashionable design. In fact, one without the other is simply not enough. With the acquisition of Misfit, Fossil Group will be positioned to win with the connected consumer,” said Greg McKelvey, chief strategy and digital officer of Fossil Group. “Our world-class design and global distribution, combined with Misfit’s technology platform, creates a significantly advantaged, multi-brand and global wearable technology business poised to drive the convergence of fashion and technology.”
“We are thrilled to join forces with Fossil Group to usher in the next era of wearables where elegance, beauty and long-lasting wearability are paramount,” said Sonny Vu, founder and chief executive officer of Misfit. “Together, we will introduce products that blend Misfit’s seamless, intuitive technology and user experience with the design, style and branding that is the hallmark of Fossil Group.”
Transaction Details
Fossil Group expects the acquisition to close before the end of fiscal 2015, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. The purchase price of $260 million, including transaction costs, will be funded through a combination of cash on hand and bank debt.
Sonny Vu will serve as president and chief technology officer of connected devices for Fossil Group, Inc., and will be a member of the company’s executive leadership team.
See related press release titled, “Fossil Group, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2015 Results” for additional details regarding the acquisition.
About Fossil Group, Inc.
Fossil Group, Inc. is a global design, marketing and distribution company that specializes in consumer lifestyle and fashion accessories. The Company’s principal offerings include an extensive line of men’s and women’s fashion watches and jewelry sold under a diverse portfolio of proprietary and licensed brands, handbags, small leather goods and accessories. The Company’s products are sold to department stores, specialty retail stores and specialty watch and jewelry stores in the U.S. and in approximately 150 countries worldwide through 26 Company-owned foreign sales subsidiaries and a network of approximately 75 independent distributors. The Company also distributes its products in over 600 Company-owned and operated retail stores, through its international e-commerce websites and through the Company’s U.S. e-commerce website at www.fossil.com. Certain press release and SEC filing information concerning the Company is also available at www.fossilgroup.com.
About Misfit
Misfit invents and manufactures connected wearable products sold around the world at various retailers and on www.misfit.com. The Company was founded in 2011 by Sonny Vu with John Sculley, the former CEO of Apple and Pepsi, and Sridhar Iyengar, co-founder and former CTO of AgaMatrix.
Come comment on this article: Fossil scoops up Misfit for $260 million
Loss of flight MH370 prompts UN satellite tracking agreement
Following the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 last year, the United Nations agreed to use global satellite tracking for passenger airliners. Under the terms of the deal, nations can use specific radio frequencies to monitor planes via satellite rather than solely relying on radar-driven technology on the ground. With a target of 2017, aircraft capable of sending Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) signals to the ground will also communicate with satellites to track their movements. Shortly after the MH370 tragedy, Inmarsat offered airlines free satellite tracking for more accurate location info. With this week’s agreement, the UN aims to keep an eye on the 70 percent of the world’s surface than the ground-based systems can’t cover. In theory, the use of satellite tracking would reduce the chance of another flight disappearing without a trace.
[Image credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images]
Fossil buys Misfit for a bigger stake in wearables
After launching an Android smartwatch and a bunch of fitness wearables, Fossil Group announced today that it’s also snapping up Misfit, which is best known for its svelte Shine fitness tracker. The deal, which is worth around $260 million, gives Fossil access to an existing market of wearable buyers, a team that’s been trying to figure out how to design attractive wearables for years and a cloud platform for health tracking. Basically, you can expect some pretty attractive devices resulting from this union. And it comes just in time for Misfit, which didn’t have many upgrades in store for its Shine 2 health tracker. Now that plenty of phones and cheap gadgets can offer the basics of activity tracking, tech companies have to work harder to prove why we need standalone health trackers at all.
Source: Misfit
Watch today’s Nintendo Direct right here
Nintendo Direct is back and ready to deliver some serious 3DS and Wii U news. Today’s live stream starts at 2PM PT (5PM ET/10PM GMT), and the US version is viewable at the bottom of this post (or see region-specific streams here). Don’t expect any details about the NX or Nintendo’s mobile games — today is poised to be all about the Wii U and 3DS only. This is the first Nintendo Direct since President Satoru Iwata’s death in July; former Nintendo of America and Pokémon USA President Tatsumi Kimishima is now the head of the company. So, grab a banana, pull up a chair and prepare for a brand new Nintendo Direct.
AIVAnet 