Undecided on your next Android phone? Google will help that
Choosing the perfect phone for you is no easy task. On the Android side of things, there are so many options due to the amount of hardware manufacturers. Fortunately, Google has stepped forward to help you choose your next Android phone.
Google starts with twelve categories to see where your focus is: photography, music, productivity, social media, gaming, entertainment, travel, health and fitness, messaging, calls, web browsing, style. Within each of them, Google asks questions about how important they are and in what way the phone will be used.
The recommendation engine requires you to pick at least three categories before offering any results. You can also choose your carrier to ensure the results contain phones that are capable of operating on your carrier’s network. Then benefits of each phone and a button with buying options appear.
Source: Android
Come comment on this article: Undecided on your next Android phone? Google will help that
Virgin America’s in-flight entertainment will run on Android
To call most in-flight entertainment systems old and crusty would be generous when even the more advanced systems typically pale in comparison to your laptop or tablet. Virgin America might just narrow that gap, though. It’s rolling out a beta version of its Red seatback platform that runs Android on a multi-touch screen, much like many mobile devices. The modern input gives you more sophisticated flight maps and games than you’re used to seeing in mid-air — you can play Pac-Man while you’re waiting for your meal, if you like. The devices also have three times as much storage as before, which will let you watch 720p videos including Netflix staples like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.
You’ll have to get lucky to try the new Red tech in the near future. Only three aircraft will have it this month, and 18 will get it by the end of the year. It won’t be until 2016 that you can assume that every Virgin America flight has the upgrade. All of the fleet is getting headphone-based surround sound for certain content (such as the first two episodes of Game of Thrones season five), however, so you’ll still have something to look forward to on your next long-haul trip.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Virgin America
Is BlackBerry making an Android device?
BlackBerry has stayed committed to its operating system, which is safe, secure and has been greatly improved with its latest iteration (BlackBerry 10). It’s not a bad platform, in all honesty, but all that glorious pride probably won’t get their reach above the measly 1% market share the platform currently holds. A change has been due since years ago, and it seems they may finally be ready to take the plunge and step into the better side… the Android side.
Four sources “familiar with the matter” are telling Reuters the Waterloo, Ontario manufacturer is getting ready to release an Android device. These internal sources claim BlackBerry is likely to release a phone running the Android OS this autumn. It’s said to come with a touchscreen and one of those physical keyboards that continue to keep the few BlackBerry fans around using this dying platform. It wouldn’t be your usual BlackBerry Bold-like device and keyboard, though. This unique BlackBerry phone is said to have a slide-out keyboard you can opt to use or ignore.
Both Google and BlackBerry were approached for an official statement:
“We don’t comment on rumors and speculation, but we remain committed to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which provides security and productivity benefits that are unmatched.”
Why would BlackBerry do this?!
One might argue this is a desperate attempt to gain more market share, but that seems to be far from the case. The idea is probably to promote BES12 security services running on other platforms. BES12 works not only with BlackBerry 10, but also with Android, iOS and Windows Phone. And since Android is the most proliferated mobile OS in the world, it only makes sense to try and show the world how well BES12 can handle it.
Would people like an Android BlackBerry device?
BlackBerry fans are plentiful, and we can’t deny the manufacturer makes some rocking phones. And those keyboards… oh, those keyboards! They are gorgeous and feel amazing to type on. But do they help at all?
Let’s put it how my beloved friend and fellow writer Cristina Mora laid it out when I let her use a BlackBerry Classic review unit for a bit: “This keyboard is like a good-looking lover you have a one-night stand with; it feels good to the touch, but that doesn’t make it the best alternative in the long run”. It’s amazing how I answered with a chuckle and knew exactly what she meant.
This keyboard doesn’t really make me (or my friend) faster at typing. And you can always benefit from the extra screen real estate. Or in this case BlackBerry could make the phone thinner by removing the slide-out keyboard, or maybe add in a much larger battery.
What do you think, would you consider a Blackberry device running Android? Let us know what you think in the comments.
BlackBerry reported to release Android device this fall
BlackBerry has been quiet ever since the rise of Android and iOS. BlackBerry used to be the home for power users and people who needed more from their phone than to just call and text. The problem nowadays is that almost every phone does that. In a quest regain some of their mojo, the latest reports suggest that BlackBerry may release a device later this year running the Android operating system.
According to multiple sources, thanks to Reuters, BlackBerry’s newest strategy is to change its focus to software and device management. It is unknown if they would still employ BlackBerry OS or merely turn it into a skin, such as TouchWiz or Sense UI.
The sources also state that the BlackBerry Android device would feature a touchscreen backed by a slide-out physical keyboard. This would be huge in the smartphone market. Currently no Android or iOS device have such capabilities. Not only would it appeal to many, but it would definitely create a stir on the internet.
The post BlackBerry reported to release Android device this fall appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Reuters: BlackBerry is planning on making an Android device
Reuters has just reported that BlackBerry could come out with a phone loaded with — wait for it — the Android operating system later this year. Sources told the news outlet that this doesn’t mean the end of BlackBerry 10, but it is a big move that signifies the Waterloo company’s dwindling sales. Reuters also reports that one of the reasons for the move is that BlackBerry CEO John Chen is putting its bets on a device management system called BES12, which gives companies the ability to manage not just BlackBerry phones but also Android, iOS and Windows devices on their internal networks. Apparently the Android OS could come out on the slider device that was teased at Mobile World Congress a few months ago, which means that this Android device could launch this coming August. We’re reaching out to both Google and BlackBerry for comment and will update this post if we get a response.
Filed under: Google, Blackberry
Source: Reuters
New Google online tool makes it easier to find the right phone for you
One of the best things about Android is just how many options we have. Not only are there dozens upon dozens of different phones at all sorts of price points, but we also have options when it comes to the launchers we use, the default camera apps we use, the widgets we utilize, and the list goes on. Of course, for those newer to Android, or simply those that have trouble narrowing down what phone is right for them, all these options can also prove to be a bit of an obstacle. At least when it comes to picking out the right phone for your needs, Google is now ready to make our lives infinitely easier thanks to a new online tool.
At least when it comes to picking out the right phone for your needs, Google is now ready to make our lives infinitely easier thanks to a new online tool. The new phone selector tool begins by asking you what you use your phone for. As you can see in the screens, some of the “what you use your phone for” options include music, gaming, productivity, and several others.
You start by selecting just one option, it will then ask you two sub-questions and take you back to the first screen. You can choose a total of three “main purposes” that you use your phone for and then it will ask you to specify your carrier (or you can skip this).
After this, it will spit out a list of potential matches based on how you answered your questions. Don’t like the options you were presented with, due to screen size or perhaps the pricing? There’s boxes that will let you specify screen size range, pricing, and you can even narrow it down to only the latest phone releases.
The nice thing is that the tool doesn’t necessarily pressure you to get the newest or even the most expensive devices, and does a reasonable job of matching you up with phones that meet your needs. For those that are more about specs than actual user experience, the tool is lacking granular options for choosing stuff like the chipset maker, the amount of storage options, etc, but it is still a great idea and is honestly more geared towards casual users than the power user type anyhow.
To try out the phone selector tool for yourself, you’ll want to head on over to Google’s Android website.
Line jumps from messaging to music with its own streaming service
When messaging giant Line signaled its intent to jump into music by acquiring Microsoft’s MixRadio, it wasn’t kidding around. Meet Line Music, a streaming music service for Japan that (to no one’s surprise) is tied closely to the company’s chat app. You can not only share tunes in your discussions and on your timeline, but play them without switching apps — helpful if you want to talk about a new playlist while you’re listening to it. The low pricing might also reel you in. It costs just ¥1,000 ($8) per month for unlimited access, and you can get away with ¥500 ($4) if you listen less than 20 hours per month. Students pay as little as ¥300 ($2). Line Music is available right now for Android and iOS users, and there’s a web version launching in July.
The service only has 1.5 million tracks at the moment (it should have over 5 million later this year), and there’s no mention of international expansion just yet. However, its real challenge might be changing attitudes toward digital music on Line’s home turf. Unlike many other parts of the world that have embraced downloads and streaming with open arms, Japan’s music sales are still dominated by CDs — in fact, online music sales have dropped in the country over the past five years. Line’s sheer ubiquity might put its new offering in front of a lot of people, but it’s far from certain that they’ll sign up.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile
Via: Reuters, Engadget Japanese (translated)
Source: App Store, Google Play, Line
Camera and battery improvements are on the way to HTC One M9
If you are an HTC One M9 owner then there is great news for you. HTC is to begin pushing out an update to One M9 users in Europe, the Middle-East and Africa today. This update will bring the software version to 1.40.401.5, and it is the same update update that was rolled out in Taiwan couple of weeks ago.
The update will fix battery related problems, camera issues and overheating issues while charging. The list of changes is:
Battery life:
Battery life was one of the first complaints about the HTC One M9 and is probably one of the most important features of any phone. This update will improve battery life by reducing the power consumption by the YouTube and Facebook app – two very popular apps that almost everyone uses on their smartphone.
Camera:
Though the HTC One M9 has a 20 megapixel camera, the image output of it is always average. This update will solve all the issues regarding camera by including greater auto-exposure balance that improves overexposure, and a reduction of blur and noise in low light conditions.
Heat Management:
The HTC One M9 uses Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 810 SOC and the primary concern of the chipset was the heating issues caused by it. This update will reduce overheating of the phone while charging through an update to smart charging.
Although this is only a small update and it will keep the Android version to Lollipop 5.0.2, the camera and battery improvements address two major flaws on the M9. Currently this update will be rolling out in Europe, the Middle-East and Africa, and the users in North-America will be getting the update later this month depending on the carrier.
The post Camera and battery improvements are on the way to HTC One M9 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Daily Yoga: fitness for everybody (review)
With an open platform like Android and so many fitness freaks all around us we should not be surprised by the abundance of yoga apps in the Google Play Store. Some offer photos of basic poses while others offer training videos and more.
I’m not a fitness buff but I like doing some yoga now and then. I have tried out some random yoga apps on the Play Store and didn’t find them satisfying at all. No one app provided an all in one package. While others were a bit more complex to understand, Daily Yoga provides good and simple content if not a very large variety.
Daily Yoga, an app by IMOBLIFE Co. Ltd. offers an all in one package for all your yoga needs. And, be it a yoga expert or just a beginner, there’s something for everyone.
Upon opening the app you have the option to start your yoga by choosing a training session from the pose library. A small description is provided for every session, telling about the difficulty and its goal. Each yoga session is available as a separate downloadable plugin from the Play Store.
Every individual yoga session provides easy to follow videos for different types of activities. A yoga professional demonstrates the poses with a narrative and soothing background music.
There are more than 30 sessions for you to choose from in all. Many are freely downloadable, while there are some paid ones as well. The app also contains a vast pose library if you want to try out individual yoga poses apart from regular training. Daily Yoga also offers a collection of relaxing Yoga Music to help you meditate and exercise better.
If you don’t know where to begin, fear not. Daily Yoga also provides 8 programs including one for beginners, weight loss and even for yoga during menstruation. These are a mix of yoga routines that one can follow without any hassle. As with the yoga sessions, the programs also come follow a free/pro methodology.
Daily Yoga follows a subscription based purchase system meaning once you subscribe you get access to all pro content and an ad-free experience as well. Monthly subscription are priced $4.99 and yearly can be had for a discounted rate of $29.99. Personally, I would have really loved a one time purchase option.
We know that, sometimes, doing yoga gets boring or we have some questions in mind. Perhaps you’re in need of a little motivation after many yoga sessions with slow results. Daily Yoga also has a community where you can discuss all about yoga.
As much as I liked this app there are things that did bother me. For starters, the app launches in a fixed landscape orientation that doesn’t rotate at all – not even 180-degrees.
Also, it can be a bit difficult to navigate when you start. A small “getting started” tutorial that can be dismissed wouldn’t hurt to have.
The app is free to download but comes with a few ads which pop-up only when you exit any session and are not that annoying as well.
Check out the download link below and get on the road to some inner peace.
What we like:
- All-in-one yoga app
- Good for beginners and pros alike
- Variety of content
What needs improvement:
- Fixed landscape orientation
- Get started tutorial for first time users
- One time purchases option
Screenshots:
Have you tried out Daily Yoga yet? Do you feel it’s the ultimate yoga app for you or have you found better alternatives? Let us know in the comments below.
The post Daily Yoga: fitness for everybody (review) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Twitter adds landscape video recording to its mobile apps
Some of us don’t want to share portrait and square cropped videos all the time. Crazy, huh? The mobile-centric video formats have been championed by Vine, Instagram and a whole host of live-streaming apps, so it was hardly a surprise to see Twitter follow suit when it launched in-app video recording earlier this year. Landscape videos still have their place though, so the company is now relenting and offering the aspect ratio inside its apps. So when you’re scrolling through your feed and inspiration strikes, you can hit the camera button, flip your phone sideways and record a regular video for your followers. We’re not sure why the option wasn’t available from the start, but hey, at least it’s here now.
Filed under: Cellphones
Source: Twitter
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