Topeka for Android will help developers build a better Material Design experience
Material designed came around to change everything. It is a very good looking, sleek and playful design language, but it may be a bit intimidating to adopt it. Especially for developers who have been sticking to their own design aspects for a long time. Google knows you may need a little help getting the right elements, so they have decided to offer better help by releasing Topeka for Android.
For those who may not know about this tool: Topeka was previously released as a web app in order to help developers understand how elements of Material Design worked, which include transitions, animations and layers. And if the idea is to create a consistent experience across all apps, Google did right by offering a clear example that works on a mobile device, as well as on the web. The tool is only being improved now by actually being released on the platform it is meant to serve.
Things get much more complicated as you start scrolling down the official blog post from Android Developers, as it is mostly developer talk (a bunch of code), but they go over some quick tips on transitions, animations, FAB placement, Round Outline Provider, Property Animations and Vector Drawables. You can go ahead and check out the official blog post if you know what those things mean and/or want to learn more!
#gallery-1
margin: auto;
#gallery-1 .gallery-item
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 33%;
#gallery-1 img
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
#gallery-1 .gallery-caption
margin-left: 0;
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Oh, and if you are a developer looking to get your hands on Topeka for Android, you can get it all straight from GitHub. Have fun and make some awesome apps for us! Thanks for all the hard work.
Panasonic’s behemoth camera phone hits the US for $1,000
Did you take one look at Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-CM1 and vow to pay whatever it took to get this smartphone/mirrorless camera hybrid in the US? You now have a chance to put your money where your mouth is. Panasonic has started selling an unlocked version of the CM1 in the US, and it’ll set you back an eye-watering $1,000 — suddenly, that 128GB Galaxy S6 seems like a bargain. There’s a good reason for the giant price tag, mind you. While the phone half is no great shakes between its 4.7-inch 1080p screen, Android 4.4 KitKat and a Snapdragon 801 chip, you’re also getting a big 1-inch, 20-megapixel imaging sensor with a bright, high-quality f/2.8 lens. If you already treat your smartphone as a camera that just happens to make calls, this might be your handset of choice.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile
Via: DPReview
Source: Panasonic
Facebook Hello 2.0 update brings notifications and more
Back in April Facebook’s Messenger team introduced Hello, a contacts app which syncs with your Facebook account and your phone’s contacts info making your phone smarter. Hello allows you to quickly see who’s calling, block unwanted calls, and search for people and places on Facebook. Hello also allows you to call and text people free via Messenger.
| Version 2.0 ushers in loads of updates. |
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| Answer calls with one swipe with the new call card layout |
| Filter contacts to show only people with phone numbers |
| Access your Hello contacts in all your other apps |
| Change your contacts’ photos or sync them with Facebook |
| Get notifications for missed and blocked calls |
| Use Hello with two sim cards and choose which one to use to call |
| Easily create shortcuts on your home screen for your top contacts |
| Use Hello with right-to-left languages |
Along with the above features Hello is sporting a tweaked user interface. The initial release of Hello was extremely promising although it fell short of allowing me to completely replace my pre-installed contacts application. The biggest issues I had is that when adding a contact in Hello it would not be added in my stock contacts app. Also when a contact called the Hello screen was very slow and at time unresponsive. Furthermore when the call came in you had to swipe the hello app left or right which in return took you straight to your stock dialer screen.
With Hello I found myself missing a lot of calls due to the fact I first had to unlock my device then fiddle with the sluggish Hello user interface.
In version 2.0 that all has been changed with the new card layout. The card layout now allows you to answer a call with an easy responsive swipe. Facebook has been putting in extra work this week attempting to keep your attention on their social networking site. Earlier in the week releasing Moments a photo sharing competitor to Google’s photos and now the Hello update.
Hello is an intelligent well designed contacts application that utilizes Facebook extensive knowledge and what your friends share with you. Although Hello will only display information of the person who is calling you, as long as they have already shared it with you on Facebook. So unfortunately you still will receive calls that you want know who it is and un displayed contact photos .
Tell us what you think about Hello and if you are going to give it a try. Leave comments below.
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The Kodak IM5 is now available for purchase in Europe
Kodak’s first smartphone is here. The Kodak IM5 has been released today in the Netherlands after its’ announcement at CES 2015 in January. Available for $315 off contract, or free on contract with various carriers, this marks the Kodak’s entry into the smartphone market.
The UI of the Kodak IM5 is a bit different, as while it runs Android KitKat, the Kodak UI is simplified, aimed at consumers who are looking for “a smartphone that is easier to use than what they are currently using.” You could compare the default UI of Kodak’s IM5 to the simplified modes found on more and more Android devices across the smartphone market.
Kodak did mention that while the IM5 was released with Android KitKat, the device should see an update to Lollipop, however did not mention when users could see that update come to their devices. As for the specs, here’s the good ole’ list for you to check out:
- 5 Inch 720×1280 display
- 5MP front-facing camera
- 13 MP rear-facing camera with a unique image management software
- 1.7 GHz Octa-Core MediaTek processor
- 1GB of RAM
- 8GB of expandable storage
- 2100 mAh battery
These aren’t the most impressive specs, however, it’s not probable that Kodak was trying to fly high with the big boys with the IM5. The IM5 seems to be designed for the middle of the road or even lower end consumers that are looking for some type of entry device with a decent camera. The simplified UI could definitely appeal to some users out there who don’t want the “fancy” phones.
While released in the Netherlands today, Kodak did mention that the IM5 would become available across the globe, however it’s unknown when that statement will come to fruition. Let us know your thoughts on the Kodak UI and the Kodak IM5 in the comment section below.
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Cortana for Android beta set to launch in July
Microsoft earlier announced that its digital assistant, Cortana, would be coming to Android and iOS platforms. Now, the Redmond-based company has revealed a timeline for when the Cortana beta for Android will begin.
In July, Microsoft will launch the Cortana digital assistant beta for Android. But, we’re not exactly sure when in July, though we’re leaning towards the day when the company officially launches its Windows 10 operating system on July 29.
Keep in mind that the digital assistant won’t have nearly as many features as it does on Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10. Aside from that, and similar to the Hound digital assistant, probably the most impressive thing about Cortana is being able to talk to the digital assistant in natural language over weird technical commands. Microsoft says:
“On your Android phone you can ask Cortana to remind you to walk the dog at 8pm in the evening, and then when you’re watching a movie your Xbox will interrupt playback to let you know it’s time to take the dog out.”
Microsoft is working hard to focus on Windows 10 as a service, and the quote above demonstrates that its trying to accomplish that across all of its services, even on products it doesn’t own, such as Android and iOS.
Are you trying out the Cortana beta come July? I know I am. Sound off in the comments!
source: Microsoft
Come comment on this article: Cortana for Android beta set to launch in July
Vessel brings its YouTube-like subscription service to Android
Vessel launched as a YouTube alternative with exclusive early access to ad-free content for $3 a month. Beginning today, it’s available for Android in beta form. The service launched in March for iOS with videos from A&E, Rheet & Link, Unbox Therapy, Warner Music Group and others. While most of the content is available for free, subscribers get early access to select videos and an ad-free experience. To help it become a destination for impatient video fans, the company has been attempting to lure YouTube stars away from the Google-owned video site. Now it just needs to lure eyeballs away.
Filed under: Handhelds, Internet, Mobile
Source: Vessel
Verizon scores an exclusive with the Sony Xperia Z4v
Verizon Wireless and Sony announced today that the Experia Z4v would be coming exclusively to Verizon this summer. Very similar to the Z3+ and the Z4, the Z4v adds a much larger 3,000mAh battery as well as Qualcomm® Quick Charge 2.0 and wireless charging.
Here are some of the highlights of the Z4v
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The phone will be available in black or white and will be available this summer.
Source
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Samsung Galaxy A8 pictures leaked
After launching the Galaxy A3, Galaxy A5 and the Galaxy A7 earlier this year, Samsung is all set to bring a new addition to the Galaxy A series. Today, the very first pictures of the Galaxy A8 have been leaked online, showing us that the handset may have the same design as the Galaxy S6. The handset was initially believed to be China-specific but is now expected to be launched in various markets across Europe and Asia.
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As far as the specifications are concerned, the Galaxy A8 boasts pretty high-end spec’s. The Galaxy A8 is supposed to have 5.7 inch Super AMOLED display with a screen resolution of 1080*1920 pixels. For RAM and memory, the phone is said to have 2GB RAM and 16GB of onboard storage with the ability to expand the storage via the included micro-SD card slot. In the optics department, the phone is supposed to have a 16-megapixel rear facing camera and a 5-megapixel front facing shooter. You would be surprised to know that this phone is also said to have the fingerprint sensor, just like the Galaxy S6. The whole package is supposed to be driven by Qualcomm’s 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615 and a 3050mAh battery, which will be sufficient for a day’s use. The handset is also slated to have 4G LTE support, which is always a good thing to have for people who like streaming online content.
The device is expected to run on Android’s Lollipop 5.1 OS with TouchWiz on top. Though from the looks of the images, the phone is likely to be on the same toned-down version of Touchwiz as the Galaxy S6. There is no official word on a release date and or pricing yet. Overall, we think that the handset is likely to be placed in the mid-range category but with advantages of having fingerprint sensor.
Source
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Google Play Gift cards finally make their way to India
Google has finally introduced the Google Play Gift cards to the Indian market. Starting today, you can purchase Google Play gift cards by walking into select Indian stores of Vijay Sales and Spice Hotspot in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata & Jaipur.
Google has made it available in select Indian cities and stores as a start. To purchase a Google Play Gift card, simple walk-in to any of the select stores and ask for it at the cash counter. You can make the payment towards the Gift card using cash, card or any other form of payment accepted by the store.
Google Play Gift cards or Google Play prepaid vouchers can be used to purchase any type of digital content available in the Google Play Store. The Gift cards come in 3 denominations of ₹500 ($7.85), ₹1,000 ($15.7) and ₹1,500 ($23.54).
Google Play gift cards, which were originally launched in 2012 have been consumers favorite to purchase apps, games, books or movies etc. and even for in-app purchases. You can also gift them to friends or family or use it for yourself on your Android phone or tablet.
On purchasing the voucher you will find a code which can then be used in the Play Store to redeem for purchases. The Play Store gift cards will be especially useful in a country like India where most people prefer cash payments or pay by debit card for online purchases.
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Twitter update allows auto-play feature for videos
T
he fight for social media users attention has gotten more intense lately. Social networks like Facebook and now Twitter have been relentlessly attempting to gain some of the video space from the industry leader Youtube.
Today’s Twitter update introduces a more seamless video experience. It is now easier to enjoy videos on Twitter as native videos, Vines and GIFs will begin to play back automatically. So you can keep up with the action without missing a Tweet and get a better sense of what’s been shared instantly.
Previously on Twitter, in order to watch a video, you had to physically tap the video to enable it to play. Now once you tap the video, the video and sound will play automatically in an expanded view. Also, if you flip your device to landscape mode, the sound will also automatically turn on and expand the video to fill the screen.
Yes Twitter, this is a cool concept. Although I can imagine what your thinking (your being our lovely AndroidGuys readers), that you don’t really want to watch every video of your friends kids, or cats, doing backflips automatically.
Thankfully you still have ultimate control over the playback settings. You have the option to choose the previous click-to-play option or have videos autoplay only when you are connected to WiFi. If you are at a location with high data rates or have low bandwidth on your device, Twitter will automatically opt you out of autoplay and you will only see click-to-play option.
Who does this Update benefit?
Twitter and it’s advertisers of course. The logic behind it is simple, most people will not click to watch an ad, though if it plays automatically you are more likely to watch it.
Autoplay can be a useful feature to have for sure, although only in moderation. There have been multiple occurrences on Instagram where I have attempted to tap-to-play and inadvertently double tapped instead, causing me to like a post. So let’s be thankful we have been given more customization’s options this time around with the option to turn the feature off.
Updates began rolling out to everyone today on Twitter for iOS and Twitter.com with an Android version coming soon.
Tell us if you like the new auto-play feature by leaving a comment below!
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