New Apple TV Tidbits: Limited App Discovery, User Guide, Amazon Pulls Apple TVs, and More
The new Apple TV officially launched today at Apple Stores and select resellers in the U.S. and other first wave countries. As customers begin receiving their new Apple TV deliveries around the world, the following are useful tidbits about the new fourth-generation device.
Apple TV Support and User Guide – Forum Discussion
Apple has updated its Apple TV Support portal for the new Apple TV, including an official Apple TV User Guide that contains detailed information about how to set up and use the streaming box. The user guide is broken down into several categories: Getting Started, Basics, Siri, iTunes, App Store, Photos, Music, Home Sharing, Search, Accessibility, Safety and more.
Apple TV apps – Forum Discussion
iMore has shared a video that scrolls through all of the new Apple TV apps currently available through the tvOS App Store. Due to the current lack of discoverability, the video searches tvOS apps based on their first letter in alphabetical order.
Eli Hodapp at our sister website TouchArcade explains in his Apple TV first impressions:
If screenshots on Apple pages are any indication, categories for the Apple TV App Store are coming (maybe?) but as of this writing, there’s a distinct division between the haves and the have-nots in the Apple TV app world. Currently, the Apple TV App Store only shows what’s featured. If your game isn’t featured, it effectively doesn’t exist. There’s no way to browse genres, top lists don’t exist (this arguably might be a good thing), and finding something that isn’t featured requires typing its name in the search field.
MacRumors recently published an Apple TV apps roundup that goes into more detail about some of the new apps and games, including Airbnb, Alto’s Adventure, Crossy Road, Plex, Sing! Karaoke, Withings Home and more.
Charging and Using the Siri Remote – Forum Discussion
Apple has published a support document with step-by-step instructions on how to charge your Siri Remote and get help if it isn’t working. Apple TV will alert you when your Siri Remote needs to be charged, or you can manually check the remote’s charge by navigating to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth and selecting the remote.
In countries and regions that support Siri, the remote is called the Siri Remote. Elsewhere, it is called the Apple TV Remote, but has identical functionality otherwise. International users can easily access Siri by changing their Apple TV’s region to the U.S. or other supported countries.
Amazon Removes Apple TV
Apple TV and Chromecast devices are no longer listed on Amazon
Following through with its plans, online retailer Amazon has removed all Apple TV and Chromecast listings from its website, per Variety. Amazon removed the Apple and Google streaming media players because they are incompatible with its Prime Video streaming service, which it believes may cause confusion for customers.
In a statement provided to BuzzFeed News, Apple emphasized that the lack of Prime Video support on the new Apple TV is solely Amazon’s decision.
Incidentally, that Amazon Prime Video is the exception to the conga line of content offerings above is entirely Amazon’s doing. A ~magnanimous~ Apple tells BuzzFeed News that “all are welcome” on its new Apple TV platform. But Amazon — which recently purged Apple TV from its store — doesn’t have a Prime Video app in the Apple TV App Store. And as of a few days ago, it hadn’t submitted one.
Amazon told BuzzFeed News the company “doesn’t have anything to share” on the topic.
Visit the Apple TV section on the MacRumors discussion forums for more tidbits.
Tags: Amazon, Apple TV apps, User Guide, Siri Remote
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
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Amazon updates its music app with MicroSD and Android Wear support
If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you’ll be glad to find out that the Amazon Music app is in the process of receiving an update that will greatly enhance its usability. The update brings MicroSD card and Android Wear support as well as a number of other improvements.
New features include:
- Prime Music artist detail pages – the one stop destination in Prime Music for top songs, albums, photos, stations, and much more for your favorite artists
- Android Wear support – now you can browse the app & control playback right from your Wear device
- “New to Prime” tab in Prime Music – highlighting newest music added to the service
- New “Popular” tab in Prime Music – see charts for top songs, albums, playlists
- Lyrics support (UK only – it was already available in the US)
The update is currently rolling out via Google Play and it shouldn’t be too long until it reaches your device.
Come comment on this article: Amazon updates its music app with MicroSD and Android Wear support
[Deal] Snag some great Inateck gear in this Halloween promotion
Halloween is almost upon us, and accessory maker, Inateck, is joining the party with some howling good discounts for a number of its products ranging from Bluetooth speakers to headphones to desktop chargers. Join us after the break for the discount codes.
- Inateck Bluetooth 4.1 Weatherproof Stereo In-ear Headphones ($ 32.99): Use promo code 5QQAWHVN for $10 off [Amazon] (You can check out our review of this product here)
- Inateck Aries Premium Genuine Wood In-Ear Noise-isolating Headphones ($23.99): Use promo code D6BO5RI5 for $5 off [Amazon]
- Inateck Lacerta Dual Dynamic Driver In-Ear Noise-isolating HiFi Headphones ($25.99): Use promo code: NIJKEEVD for $5 off [Amazon]
- Inateck 2.4GHZ Wireless Pointer Control Powerpoint Presentation Remote Control ($12.99): Use promo code UV3VPQZT for $3 off [Amazon]
- Inateck Dual-Driver Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Stand ($29.99): Use promo code: 5AERJM5O for $5 off [Amazon]
- Inateck Ultra-Portable Aluminum Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker ($45.99): Use promo code: KA9U67XB for $11 off [Amazon]
- Inateck MarsBox Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker ($49.99): Use 8VD6I9RX for $13 off [Amazon]
- Inateck Portable Hi-Fi Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker ($39.99): Use promo code IJKGJLTZ for $10 off [Amazon]
- Inateck 40W 5-Port High-Speed Desktop USB Charger ($19.99): Use promo code W5K5Q4Z3 for $4 off [Amazon]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Snag some great Inateck gear in this Halloween promotion
Amazon Underground app giving away $70 worth of apps for free
Amazon is offering a total of 37 paid Android apps and games for free. This totals out to a value of $70. The offer is available today, and will last until October 31st at midnight.
In order to have access to this great offer, you will have to download the Amazon Underground App and install it on your device. You can download the app here from your Android smartphone, and all you have to do is enter your email and you will receive a download link.
Titles of the free apps and games include; Bloonds TD 5, Bridge Constructor, Doodle God, LEGO Star Wars Microfighters, Photo Lab Pro, AVG AntiVirus Pro, Runtastic Pro and many more.
Source: Amazon
Via: Droid Life
Come comment on this article: Amazon Underground app giving away $70 worth of apps for free
Amazon Halloween offer gives away $70 in apps for free
To celebrate the spookiest season of the year, Amazon is hosting a selection of ‘scary good deals’, whereby the company is giving away around $70 worth of apps and games for completely free.
There are just over 30 different apps and games to pick from in the deal. Popular titles, such as Scribblenauts Remix and LEGO Star Wars Microfighters feature in the list. The selection of free apps includes a big discount on AVG Antivirus PRO, which usually costs $11.99, and the Runtastic PRO fitness tracking app, which has a price tag of $4.99 any other time. Photo Lab PRO is also discounted from its regular price of $2.99.
However, some of the software still contains in-app purchases, so they may not end up being as free as the upfront cost may imply over the long term. Just something to be aware of.
The deal runs until October 31st at 11:59PM, so there’s enough time to pick out the apps that you like. Remember, you will need access to the Amazon appstore to grab these freebies.
Amazon delivery drivers sue for employee benefits and compensation
Four Prime Now delivery drivers in LA have filed a lawsuit against Amazon for making them work like employees when they were being compensated as contractors. According to The Wall Street Journal and The OC Register, the suit explained that the plaintiffs should have received employees’ benefits, since they couldn’t refuse or pick deliveries, were required to wear official uniforms and were expected to work regular shifts for six to seven days a week. Those benefits include overtime pay, lunch breaks and paid leaves, among others. Instead, they reportedly had to use their own vehicles and pay for gas out of pocket to make Prime Now’s one-hour delivery promise possible. The suit also accuses Amazon of withholding the tips customers paid via credit card from the drivers.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Amazon brings its white Kindle to the UK
Amazon offers a range of different Kindle e-readers depending on your budget, but they normally always come in black. If you’ve wanted to stand out from the crowd, the only option has been to buy a colourful case or import a white model from Japan or China. Now, UK customers can enjoy a little bit more variety after the retailer decided to bring the white version east for the first time. It offers all of the same features as its black counterpart, including the 800 x 600 e-paper touchscreen, WiFi, 4GB of storage and the £60 price tag, and will ship from today.
Source: Amazon UK
Deal: super fast PNY SD and microSD cards discounted on Amazon
Very few of us can still enjoy the pleasures of expandable storage in our Android smartphones, but these nifty little cards are life savers for those who can take advantage of them. Are you looking for a nice SD or microSD card? Whether you need some extra memory for your smartphone, camera or any other gadget, today’s Amazon deals on PNY cards will definitely be something to take advantage of.
Granted, you can find cheaper cards online, but these are no usual contenders we are talking about. Today’s PNY deals include cards from some of the hottest series the brand has to offer, including Elite Performance, High Performance, and Turbo Performance. All support UHS-1 and U3 standards, with speeds ranging from 60 to 90 MB/s, which should be enough for most people’s needs.
How cheap are these cards, then? It really depends on your speed needs and storage choices. You can grab a High Performance microSD for as low as $7.99 (for the 16 GB version). Or you could opt for a 32 GB or 64 GB card from the same series, which cost $14.99 and $27.99, accordingly. Hell, if you really want to go nuts you could get an Elite Performance full SD card for $299.99!
Let’s take you through all the options, shall we?
PNY Elite Performance SD cards:
PNY High Performance microSD cards
PNY Turbo Performance microSD cards
So there you have it, guys! I am actually getting myself an extra 32 GB card. At these prices, and taking into account that these are actually pretty darn fast accessories, it’s hard to resist. Are any of you signing up for one of these?
Walmart reportedly asks FAA for permission to fly drones
According to Reuters, Walmart has reportedly petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to test drones in a variety of tasks — from home delivery and curbside pickup operations to checking warehouse inventories. Walmart has apparently been testing these aerial platforms indoors for a number of months but needs the FAA’s blessing to begin operating in the great wide open.
Source: Reuters
10 best Android apps for Halloween
October is a very special time of year. There are pumpkins everywhere, the world is reminded that Bruce Campbell is, in fact, awesome, and everyone is dressing up like things. It’s a holiday rivaled only by the ones that take place in December and we have a list of Android apps that will help make your Halloween better.
See also: Nexus 6P, Note 5, Xperia Z5 #DataHorrorStories Opera Max Mega Giveaway!
Android Device Manager
[Price: Free]
Android Device Manager is an app and system in place by Google that helps you track down your phone. We’ll all be wearing costumes with weird pockets or (potentially) bad stitching. For the adults in our audience, there will likely be the imbibing of inebriates. All of it will be taking place in either dimly lit or totally dark places. It all adds up to an increased possibility of a phone going missing. Android Device Manager is a good way to find it. There’s an app for your device and the web interface you can access from any computer. Click here to find instructions on how to enable ADM on your Android device! Safety first!
Get it now on Google Play!
Amazon Shopping
[Price: Free]
Amazon Shopping is about the best “last resort” for Halloween apparel, decorations, and other minor baubles or make up. After all, those special Halloween stores and your local retailers can only stock so much stuff. Amazon has a really good selection of various things that could be useful for anyone looking to celebrate the holiday right, although if you do need anything, we recommend ordering it sooner or later so it can arrive on time!
Get it now on Google Play!
Tons of games
[Price: Varies]
There are a ton of games that are either great for the atmosphere of Halloween or have special bonuses in honor of the holiday. Most free-to-play premium games have Halloween content to collect or see during this time of the year, including games like Clash of Clans, The Simpsons: Tapped Out, Angry Birds 2, and many, many others. Then you have the games that actually work well with the holiday on their own such as The Walking Dead: Season One and Two, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and others. It may take a bit of searching, but it’s not difficult to find some Halloween-inspired gaming on mobile.
Get it now on Google Play!
Halloween Live Wallpaper
[Price: Free / $0.99]
Frankly, there are a ton of Halloween live wallpapers out there and most of them look pretty good. We liked this one because it’s a bit more minimal so it doesn’t clash too much with the various things you have placed on your home screen. There’s also a free version and a paid version so you can have some fun without having to fork out money if you don’t want to. This one comes with some fun Easter eggs and there are even sound effects if you double tap. The battery drain is negligible and it’s pretty solid overall.
Get it now on Google Play!
iHeartRadio
[Price: Free]
iHeartRadio is known for its wide variety of themed radio stations. Usually that means things like rock, country music, etc but it also has a decent selection of holiday themed stations. That includes Halloween. Finding a station to suit your needs isn’t difficult and aside from the occasional audio advertisement, the app is totally free to use. Pandora and other radio apps should have some as well if you already subscribe to those services.
Get it now on Google Play!
See also: Google Frightgeist scares up Halloween costume trends
Google Maps
[Price: Free]
Trick-or-treating involves a lot of walking around. Sometimes you may want to go to other neighborhoods if your particular neighborhood doesn’t work well with Halloween. In any case, there’s a lot of moving about and a good navigation app is a good tool to have in your pocket. You can plan routes, find your way home if you get lost, and the best part is that this is installed on most devices already which means you won’t be wasting your storage space.
Get it now on Google Play!
Netflix
[Price: $8.99/month]
Netflix is one of the go-to sources for on-demand movies for pretty much any holiday season. There are a variety of spooky and creepy movies to choose from on Netflix that are great for both adults and kids. Some of the options include Silence of the Lambs, the Addams Family, The Nightmare Before Christmas (which is, in fact, a Halloween movie), Scream, The Blair Witch Project, Scream, American Psycho, Sleepy Hollow, Carrie, and many others.
Get it now on Google Play!
Tiny Flashlight
[Price: Free]
Yes, it’s true that most devices nowadays have a flashlight built right into the operating system that is usually accessible in the Quick Settings menu or as an app. However, those who don’t have the latest versions of Android may want to pack a flashlight app with them and Tiny Flashlight is about as good as it gets. It’s a small app that is totally free and uses the bare minimum permissions required to be a flashlight app. Trick-or-treating takes place at night. It’s dark. Your child (or someone else’s) is probably going to drop something. Trust us, a flashlight will come in handy.
Get it now on Google Play!
Track & Treat
[Price: Free]
Track & Treat is a unique GPS application built by Glympse that lets you track your child’s smartphone. Technically, the official Glympse app would work just as well, but a themed version makes it more fun for everybody. You install the app on both your device and your child’s device and you can then keep an eye on your kids from the couch and make sure they’re going where they’re supposed to go. The official Glympse app is highly regarded so we imagine this one works pretty well too, despite the lack of reviews.
Get it now on Google Play!
Zedge
[Price: Free]
During every holiday season, Zedge seems to be able to offer up a ridiculous number of holiday-themed wallpapers, ringtones, and notification sounds. Halloween is no exception. The Zedge app has some nasty advertising that does get in the way occasionally but it’s usually not too bad to warrant uninstalling. Otherwise, you’ll find a treasure trove of stuff to help deck out your device for Halloween. It’s also good around most holidays so expect to see it again later this year when we do our Christmas apps!
Get it now on Google Play!
Wrap up
If we missed any great Halloween inspired Android apps, tell us about them in the comments! If you want to stay up to date on the latest Android apps and games news, use the form below to subscribe to our Apps Weekly newsletter!
To see our complete list of Android apps and games lists, click here!
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