Uber Trip Tracker lets you follow family members in real-time
Uber announced a helpful new update to its “Family Profiles” feature today. The new Trip Tracker automatically gives you a heads up when someone in your Family Profile hops in an Uber and allows you to follow along and make sure they arrive safely at their destination.
While users can technically add anyone to their Uber Family (and foot the bill for their Uber rides), the new feature is intended for situations like sending your kid to school or making sure your aging granny gets a ride back from the grocery store. Or, you could simply get a heads up when your significant other is on their way home from the office. Whoever is in charge of the family profile will get a notification and a real-time map with the passenger’s route. Think of it as a live version of a ride receipt.
Family Profiles are now available in every city where Uber operates and according to TechCrunch they are used most frequently in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia and Colombia. The Family feature is reportedly popular in Latin America where most households only have one credit card, but at least in the U.S., Los Angeles boasts the Family Profile with the most members in it.
Starz starts streaming on Android TV
ESPN isn’t the only big broadcaster showing some affection for Android TV today. Starz has launched its streaming service on Google’s big-screen platform, giving you access to Ash vs. Evil Dead, Outlander and other shows through Android-powered TVs and set-top boxes. The features will resemble what you’ve found on iOS and smaller Android devices, including both the $9 per month internet-only plan and authentication if you already get Starz through a supporting TV provider (sorry, Comcast customers). Just don’t expect it to work on every gadget running the platform — the company only promises support for “select” Android TV devices, such as Sony’s Android sets and Google’s Nexus Player.
Source: Starz
New York City rolls out its first WiFi-equipped buses
When New York City promised that its WiFi-packing buses would arrive sometime in the second or third quarter of this year, it was clearly being cautious — the first wave of those buses is rolling out today. Visit Queens and you’ll see seven internet-savvy people carriers roaming the streets, with a total of 75 in the borough this summer. That’s still tiny next to the 2,042 planned buses for the entire city, but it’ll be helpful if you just have to get your tablet online when you’re in South Jamaica.
On top of that, New York’s mobile ticket efforts are moving ahead. It successfully tested the MTA eTix app, which saves you from using paper tickets, and expects to use it for “select lines” on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North in June. All rail travelers will get to use it by the end of this year.
Source: New York Governor’s Office, NYCT Subway (Twitter)
Tumblr rolls out ‘GIF posts’ for iOS users
Do you use Tumblr? Do you love GIFs? Do you also have an iPhone? Beginning today, you can start creating GIF posts via the official Tumblr app on iOS.
Tumblr’s GIF-creation tools have been around since last year, and in fact this very same feature was available this whole time wrapped inside of the Tumblr app’s photo post option. It’s now available as a separate option to make things easier and more apparent to users.
Granted, it’s been launched with a few upgrades, such as the ability to draw on top of your GIFs, place emoji on them, and superimpose text on top. The actual editing options as far as text goes are paltry at best, with some pretty garish options as far as fonts go, but like with Snapchat’s editor you can alter your images as you see fit.
If editing straight from the Tumblr app doesn’t appeal to you, you can still post regular old GIFs from the website or desktop via Tumblr. But being able to turn videos into GIFs or film your own moments for the app is still a handy tool. If you’re without an iPhone and feel left out, don’t worry. Android users will be receiving this update soon as well.
Source: The Verge
Get ready for Android N, VR and more at Google I/O 2016
It’s that time of year again. Google’s about to give developers a serious show at I/O 2016, which this year is at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View (also known as Google’s backyard). We’ll be there throughout the week bringing you thoughtful, up-to-the-moment coverage of Google’s future looks like, but until then, here’s what we expect (and hope) to see starting tomorrow morning.
Android N
Let’s start with an easy one. Google usually reveals a developer preview of the newest version of Android at I/O, but that’s, uh, clearly not what happened this year. Our first taste of Android N — complete with a tighter design and split-screen multitasking — came months ago. Expect to see Google’s first set of N tweaks get the spotlight during the tomorrow’s keynote. Are we in for a smattering of stability changes meant to make the preview a better daily driver? Or are we getting new features that expand the scope of Android’s ambitions? We won’t have to wait much longer to find out. And if we’re really lucky, we’ll get a sense of what the next batch of Nexus phones will be like too.
The future of Chrome OS
A solid chunk of Google-related chatter last year centered on the idea that Android was set to become the operating system for just about all of the company’s devices. Part of that plan, prognosticators argued, involved folding Google’s existing Chrome OS into Android proper. The Wall Street Journal reported that the final shift would take place sometime in 2017, with early previews expected to surface this year. Hell, at least a few people can apparently access the Google Play Store from inside Chrome OS already. And really, what better place is there for Google to clarify its software plans than Google I/O? Don’t expect Chromebooks or Chrome OS to die out anytime soon, though — if reports hold true, Chrome OS will go open-source for continued use on third-party devices.
Android Wear
The first Android Wear watches made their debut at I/O two years ago but, despite regular updates, the platform is starting to feel a little stagnant. Hopefully that changes this year — there’s a session on the books called “What’s new in Android Wear,” which gives us hope that we’ll finally get our hands (or wrists) on Android Wear 2.0. Alas, we haven’t heard a thing about Wear since Google showed off its curious Mode wristbands, so you’ll have to stay tuned for the show.
Android VR
Make no mistake: Android VR is going to make headlines at the show. Now, if only we knew what it was. Or, at the very least, how ambitious Google’s plans are. Reports that Android would itself become a sort of VR platform have been making the rounds for about a year. Still others suggested Google is working on a new, Cardboard-style VR headset that relies on phone screens rather than bulky, built-in ones.
Android VR will definitely be announced next week, and from what I’ve heard will be less powerful than the Vive or Rift.
— Peter Rojas (@peterrojas) May 11, 2016
There’s no telling what we’ll actually see at the show (headsets from partners, or maybe some kind of Magic Leap tie-in), but the potential upside for VR adoption is huge. While Samsung, LG and even Alcatel have made headsets for their own phones, a VR-friendly version of Android paired with cheap, Google-approved headgear could be a potent introduction to the potential of virtual worlds.
Project Tango
Lenovo is probably going to unveil the first consumer Project Tango phone at its own event in June, but that doesn’t mean Google’s space-sensing plans won’t get any attention at I/O. With a hardware launch still set for the summer, this is going to be developers’ big chance to get a feel for how Tango devices will work. (And, more importantly, how to optimize their apps for it.) We took some of those demo apps for a spin back at Mobile World Congress, and after just a few moments, one takeaway was clear — once the novelty wears off, masterful software execution is what will make or break Project Tango. Good thing there are four Project Tango developer sessions on this week’s schedule.
Rise of the bots
Over the last two years, the idea of talking to chatbots to get things done instead of using a purpose-built app went from idiotic fantasy to honest-to-goodness reality. A Wall Street Journal report from the end of last year suggested Google is working on a messaging app that — in addition to letting you talk to people — puts you in touch with chatbots that can deliver certain services or perform actions. Nothing in Google’s schedule suggests this will get much spotlight, but considering recent news about Google Brain’s ability to recognize proper syntax and piece together weird poetry, we wouldn’t be shocked to get a quick earful about this.
Not-so-surprise hardware
Google’s latest stab at a consumer gadget could be an Amazon Echo-like device code-named “Chirp,” according to Recode. While the report goes on to say it isn’t expected to launch at I/O this year, there’s at least a thematic argument that Google could unveil its work. After all, Google took the opportunity to lay out its early plans for Project Brillo — a lightweight software platform for the Internet of Things — at I/O 2015. It’s not hard to see how Chirp could fit into Google’s vision of the Internet of Things, and it’s about time for an update on Brillo’s progress anyway.
Beyond thrilled to share that Xiaomi will be a part of Google I/O. A sneak peek of what you’ll see from Mi at #io16 pic.twitter.com/GP3HHE3F6c
— Hugo Barra (@hbarra) May 17, 2016
Meanwhile, Xiaomi VP of International (and former Googler) Hugo Barra tweeted a teaser about the Chinese company’s involvement with I/O. The image shows the letters “i” and “o” made out of what appear to be media controls — if we had to guess, we’d say it looks like Xiaomi is taking a stab at its own Android TV console. Since most of those Android TV boxes also double as gaming machines, yet another teaser from earlier today adds even more fuel to the fire. Whether anyone actually bites is another story, but if nothing else, it’s a clear example of the sort of big partnerships we’ll see this year.
Researchers create mirror image of DNA-copying protein
Scientists at Tsinghua University in Beijing have created a mirror-image version of a protein responsible for two life-critical functions:, copying DNA and transcribing it into RNA. This is a crucial step in someday making reverse-versions of molecules that could be more resistant to viral attacks.
While some molecules are “chiral” and naturally exist in normal and reverse forms, life mostly guides things into one orientation: cell DNA twists rightward, for example. Viruses and enzymes have evolved to target life in those formats, so the prevailing theory is that manufactured mirror-image versions will resist attacks while still performing their intended functions.
Scientists have been making mirror images of DNA for years, so the Tsinghua researchers were able to order many parts of their experiment, but they did have to build their own reverse version of the DNA polymerase that coordinates copying, which drastically slowed down the process. That will need to speed up to make the process financially rewarding, but biochemical companies are already looking at the lucrative potential for mirror-image molecules, which could more efficiently operate inside the body without being degraded by enzymes that break down typically-oriented molecules.
Source: Nature
Speck Launches Pocket-VR With Candyshell Case for iPhone 6 and 6s
Speck today announced the official launch of its Pocket-VR accessory, a collapsible, portable virtual reality headset designed to be compatible with its line of Candyshell Grip cases. The Pocket-VR was created using Google’s Cardboard VR specs, so it is able to display content created for Cardboard.
The Pocket-VR, made of black plastic, comes with a black and gray CandyShell Grip smartphone case, which it snaps over to create a virtual reality viewing experience on the go. When not in use, the Pocket-VR’s retractable side panels fold flat, allowing the accessory to be carried easily in a pocket. Speck is offering the Pocket-VR for the iPhone 6 and 6s only, which is not compatible with larger iPhone 6 and 6s Plus models.
Speck’s CandyShell Grip case can be used even when the Pocket-VR is stowed away, offering full military-grade drop protection for an iPhone. It includes a raised bezel to protect the screen and it has raised rubber ridges for a solid grip.
The Pocket-VR can be purchased from the Speck website for $69.95.
Tag: Speck
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Apple TV Sees Major Sales Growth in 2015 But Still Ranks as Fourth Most Popular Streaming Media Player
The launch of the fourth-generation Apple TV, with Siri integration and a full App Store, resulted in a huge Apple TV sales boost, according to new data shared by Parks Associates. In 2015, Apple TV unit sales were 50 percent higher than unit sales in 2014.
Despite the surge in sales, the Apple TV continues to rank as the fourth most popular streaming media player in the United States, coming in behind Roku, Amazon, and Google. The Apple TV accounted for 20 percent of streaming media players purchased from 1Q 2015 to 1Q 2016, compared to 30 percent for Roku and 22 percent each for Amazon and Google.
While Apple TV remains in fourth place among the four major brands, it had the largest increase in unit sales year-over-year, primarily due to its long-awaited new version, launched in 4Q 2015. Its share of sales in 2015 was 50% higher than its share in 2014. Amazon also had a substantially higher share of unit sales in 2015.
Parks Associates believes Apple trails behind because both Amazon and Roku offer multiple form factors with both standard boxes and smaller sticks available. Amazon, Roku, and Google also offer more affordably priced streaming media players than Apple, with its latest box starting at $149. Apple does, however, continue to sell its third-generation Apple TV for $69, more competitively priced with competing set-top boxes.
In total, 36 percent of U.S. broadband households now have at least one streaming media player, up from 27 percent last year, and media players from Amazon, Roku, Apple, and Google make up 94 percent of those. Media player sales are expected to grow significantly over the next few years, with an estimated 86 million streaming media players set to be sold globally in 2019.
Since Apple just released its latest Apple TV set-top box in October of 2015, there’s no word on when another update is planned. Apple has recently been working on building out the tvOS software included on the fourth-generation Apple TV, introducing much-needed new features like dictation, app folders, and Bluetooth keyboard support.
Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)
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It’s now easier to add Google Drive files to Evernote – CNET
Matt Elliott/CNET
Evernote and Google Drive are joining forces, bringing all of your Google Drive files within easy reach of Evernote’s organizational structure.
You’ve always been able to add Google Drive files to Evernote manually, but it involved copying a link from Google Drive and pasting it into Evernote, and then, most likely, writing a quick description to give some context to an otherwise indecipherable URL.
Now, Evernote offers a helpful Google Drive button in its toolbar so you can add Google Drive files without needing to jump out of and back into Evernote. And instead of showing up in Evernote as a link, Google Drive files appear as thumbnails. The thumbnails feature an icon to show the file type along with the title of the file and the date it was last modified. Clicking on the thumbnail opens the file in a new tab. You can also open the file or copy it via the triple-dot button on the right edge of a Google Drive file’s thumbnail.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
Google Drive files are also searchable within Evernote, to a point. The title of a Google Drive file attached in Evernote is searchable, but the text in the actual file is not.
In order to try out this new Google Drive integration, you need to use the beta version of Evernote. Click the “Try beta” button at the top of Evernote to switch to the beta. You will then need to grant access to Google Drive when Evernote asks.
This Evernote and Google Drive integration is available on Evernote via Chrome on the Web and Android, with “even tighter integration” and other platforms to follow soon, according to Evernote.
Ninja and Yokai: Guide a cowardly ninja to heroics (Review)
Overview
Ninja and Yokai, a game played on a grid, is a very unique app, with beautiful graphics and characters. However, the gameplay is a bit limited.
- Developer: GaLboa,Inc.
- App Link: Ninja and Yokai
- Cost: Free with ads. The whole game can be completed for free.
Let’s play!
Review
Ninja and Yokai welcomes you with beautiful characters and a twist to the hero’s journey. Our hero Ink is a ninja (which sounds awesome). But, as it turns out, Ink is a coward who still wants to perform the heroic task of rescuing Princess Sakura, but not at the expense of harm.
Our character instead uses his planning skills and lightning-fast reflexes in order to avoid all battles and collect all the scrolls required to save the princess.
Gameplay
You must traverse each marked spot on the map.
Obstacles and prizes are strewn about the grid, with some obstacles turning into the dreaded yokai. The yokai are trouble, as they appear and take our hero down.
It is possible to accumulate prizes and then use these as “hints” that show you where the yokai are waiting to ambush Ink. If you use the hint, you can then draw your path to avoid the squares that the yokai can attack Ink from. Part of the fun is anticipating their attacks, so I did not employ the extra brushes Ink earns throughout the game.
Ink’s path is full of… Ink! You need ink to draw your path but also to transform and hide from the yokai. When Ink transforms, he takes the shape of a bonsai, a golden statue of Buddha, and more.
If you run out of ink, you can’t transform. That’s trouble, as our ninja doesn’t appear too eager to fight and instead is taken down by the yokai every time.
Graphics
The graphics are beautiful. The characters are clean and the scenic backdrops change with each level. Each backdrop seems to be more intricate than the previous, which is the same case for each grid our cowardly ninja Ink traverses.
Music
The music is soothing and fitting. It is only interrupted when the yokai take down Ink. The music sounds like Japanese strings and woodwinds. It is a good accompaniment to the lack of battles to come.
Bug?
Can’t go back? Now what?
I’m not sure if this is a game design, but at times, Ink can get stuck. You can only move forward by drawing a single continuous line through the grid. If you end up surrounded by obstacles, you cannot go back. The only button that works in this case is the pause button, where you will then have to restart the stage.
What I like:
- Beautiful graphics.
- Soothing music.
- Backdrops and characters are gorgeous.
- Whole game can be completed for free.
- Appropriate for all ages.
Room for improvement:
- There is no way to erase or redraw a line.
- Because you cannot go back, Ink gets stuck. If you get stuck, there is no option but to restart the game.
- Lack of gameplay variety. There are plenty of gorgeous graphics, but all Ink can do is follow the path and hide.
HIDE!
Conclusion
Ninja and Yokai is a fun game, but a bit limited. The sounds and graphics are beautiful and younger users will enjoy the game’s simplicity. However, after a while, interacting with the grid and hiding from the yokai do not seem like enough. Although the backgrounds, grids and obstacles change, the game variability does not and this can get a bit stale after a while.
Overall, this is a fun game with excellent illustrations, music and characters.
You can purchase brushes to skip levels.
Download and install Ninja and Yokai from the Google Play Store.
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