Microsoft intros Hyperlapse (beta) video app for Android
Earlier today, Microsoft unveiled Hyperlapse, an app for Windows Phone, Windows PCs, and Android devices, according to PhoneScoop. Android’s version is currently a beta for now. Catch a video of Hyperlapse here.
The app can stabilize unsteady footage or create fast-moving time-lapse videos with playback speeds between 1x and 32x. Existing video files can be imported from the device’s camera roll.
Importantly, if you’d like to use Hyperlapse on your Android, there are some tasks you must do. First, you need to join the Microsoft Hyperlapse Mobile for Android Preview community on Google+. Next, become a tester by vising this link. Finally, wait 10 minutes to two hours as the Play Store replicates permissions. Click the second link again and follow the subsequent download link to install apps from the Play Store.
For now, the app only works on the following devices running Android 4.4 or later:
- Samsung Galaxy S5, S6, S6 Edge, and Note 4
- Google Nexus 5 and 6, Nexus 9 tablet
- HTC One M8 and M9
- Sony Xperia Z3
The post Microsoft intros Hyperlapse (beta) video app for Android appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Shipments of ‘white box’ tablets overtake iPads
The hottest-selling tablets aren’t likely to be iPads or Galaxy Tabs these days — if anything, they’re the cut-rate slabs you see in the back of the drug store. Strategy Analytics estimates that shipments of generic “white box” tablets (which typically run Android) overtook iPads in the first quarter of this year, claiming 28.4 percent of the market versus Apple’s 24.3. The analysts largely chalk this up to consistently tepid iPad sales, but they also suggest that small, budget-minded tablet makers are having a field day. That’s not totally surprising. Low-cost Android gear also dominates the smartphone market, and a lot of these tiny outfits operate in China, where price is more of a concern. You don’t need a $500 slate just to watch video in bed, after all.
That shift is partly borne out by what’s happening with other big-name competitors. Cost-conscious Chinese brands like Huawei and Lenovo are thriving, while higher-end rivals that don’t do so well in China (such as ASUS and Samsung) are struggling. If these relative outsiders are going to come back, they may need to either compete more on price or give buyers a reason to pony up. There are signs that this is happening (see Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A and rumors of a giant iPad), but you may not see the results of these efforts until later in the year.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Koji Sasahara]
Filed under: Tablets, Apple, Samsung, ASUS, Lenovo
Source: Strategy Analytics
Browsing Twitter and Instagram in VR? Yup, it’s a thing
I know, you bought yourself a VR rig and never want to take it off. It’s the future, that’s natural! And with something like the Gear VR’s passthrough camera you don’t even need to remove the headset to do menial “real-world” chores like going to the bathroom, grabbing another Mountain Dew out of the fridge or some Doritos out of the cupboard. But what if you wanted to check your Twitter feed or see how many new likes that Instagram photo of hitting your activity goal on your Apple Watch got while avoiding meatspace? Have no fear folks, because with a new app called Swerve you’ll be able to do that without removing your Android VR system. The app puts Twitter into a 3D space and as VR Focus notes, you can peruse searches, mentions and hashtags too — apparently all in a cloud-filled skybox. Perfect.
The free app only handles the microblogging service for now, but Facebook’s photo network is coming “soon.” Hopefully that’s ready for Swerve’s launch sometime later this month (you can sign up for early access right now) and just in time for peak crossfit photo season. It only supports the likes of Google Cardboard for now, but hopefully Gear VR support’s being considered as well. You know, so we’ll never have to let actual reality get in the way of our virtual experiences again.
Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Wearables, Software, Mobile
Via: VR Focus
Source: Swerve VR
Microsoft’s super-stable video recording arrives on PCs and phones
Microsoft’s Hyperlapse is now more than just a clever idea in a research lab — the folks in Redmond have released apps that help you record and produce super-stabilized videos on Android (in preview form), Windows and Windows Phone. Much like Instagram’s software, the algorithmic tools whittle down your shaky footage into high-speed, smooth clips that your friends are more likely to watch. The big differences are in the amount of control you get. You can zip beyond Instagram’s 6x speed limit, for example, and the desktop app (Hyperlapse Pro) uses 3D modelling to steady the footage from GoPros and other common action cameras.
All these apps are available today, although it’s important to note that the Android edition only works on some phones at the moment. As for an iOS version? Microsoft tells us that it didn’t write a client for that platform because there was already a competitor (no surprises as to who) in the App Store. It’s “evaluating” an iOS release in the future, but you’ll currently have to rely on that other Hyperlapse app if you want to produce shake-free iPhone videos.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: Microsoft Research, Microsoft News Center
HTC’s Butterfly 3 makes you wonder why the M9 exists
Here’s yet another case of “Japan gets all the nice things.” Earlier today, local carrier au by KDDI announced its smartphone lineup for the summer, and the one that caught our attention was the new HTC J Butterfly (HTV31), which will no doubt be entering other markets as the Butterfly 3. With the centered 13-megapixel selfie camera and subtle front-side BoomSound stereo speakers, this new phone shares a similar face with the Desire Eye and the Desire 826; except its 5.2-inch screen has a much sharper Quad HD resolution. The familiar Duo Camera feature on the back (for bokeh plus filter effects) is here to stay, though for some bizarre reason, the secondary camera is placed below its 20.2-megapixel counterpart instead of above it, meaning you’ll have to be more careful with where you place your index finger while holding the phone.
As a flagship-level device, it’s no surprise to see Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 chip with 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, microSD expansion, IR blaster, NFC and LTE-Advanced radio (225 Mbps down, 25 Mbps up) here. With this in mind, the Butterfly 3 sits somewhere between the M9 and the M9+ — same chipset as the former, same screen plus main camera as the latter; but all inside a waterproof (IP55 and IP57) plastic body. We don’t mind the lack of fingerprint reader here, but we are a little baffled by the slightly smaller 2,700 mAh battery, as both the M9 and M9+ come with 2,840 mAh.
Other than that minor niggle, we’re liking what HTC’s offering here. Let’s face it, the Butterfly 3 is much prettier than its predecessor and, in some ways, the M9 series; at least there isn’t a sharp ridge running around the phone this time. Folks in Japan can grab one in early June, but if you’d rather have a fingerprint reader and don’t mind missing out on the Duo Camera, then you may want to wait for the mysterious M9e. Until then, feel free to check out some hands-on photos courtesy of our friends over at Engadget Japanese.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC
Via: Engadget Japanese
Sony TV’s Amazon Instant Video app works flawlessly on other Android TV devices
Many would agree that Amazon’s Instant Video app is clunky on the Android TV. However, since at its core is the Android OS, apps can still be sideloaded. Thanks to XDA user brar.arsh, there is a solution for a quality Instant Video app on Android TV devices.
As it turns out, the Amazon Instant Video APK from Sony TV devices works profoundly well on other Android TV solutions, such as the Nexus Player and ADT-1. There’s no problem with responsiveness, and in testing, it works great with remote controls.
If you want Sony TV’s Amazon Instant Video app on your Android TV over the other version you can download to the Play Store, we have an excellent guide on sideloading the APK on your Nexus Player or ADT-1.
You can grab the APK from a mirror here. There’s also the option of hitting the source link below and grabbing it straight from the XDA thread.
Did you sideload the APK on your Android TV device? Be sure to tell us how it went and how well it works in the comments!
source: XDA
via: Android Police
Come comment on this article: Sony TV’s Amazon Instant Video app works flawlessly on other Android TV devices
Meerkat for Android is out of beta on Google Play
Meerkat has not only beaten its Twitter-owned rival Periscope to Android devices, it’s also shed its Beta phase according to a Tweet published Wednesday. The Meerkat for Android live streaming video apps operates just as its iOS counterpart does, allowing users to share real-time feeds with their Twitter followers. Conversely, Periscope’s Android debut is still coming “soon! We’re working on it,” per a post on the app’s blog published April 1st.
Meerkat for @Android is out of Beta! 🎉🎉🎉 Get the latest version @GooglePlay 👉👉 https://t.co/vhSYCaszXn #💚
– Meerkat (@AppMeerkat) May 13, 2015
Source: Meerkat (Twitter)
Deal: T-Mobile Nexus 6 now $550 over Google’s $650
The Nexus 6 is one of Google’s most expensive smartphones yet at $649 for the 32GB model. Last year’s Nexus 5 came in at $349 for its 16GB model. That said, any discount you can get your hands on with the Nexus 6 is usually appreciated, and T-Mobile is doing just that.
T-Mobile has dropped the price by $100, making the Nexus 5 32GB model only $550. If you don’t want to foot that $550 right away, T-Mobile has also dropped its two-year payment plan from $27.08 per month to $22.91.
If the 32GB model is too little space for you, T-Mobile has also discounted the 64GB model, bringing the price down to $599 or $24.99 per month.
Overall, this is an excellent deal for a fascinating device. Of course, we’re not sure how long T-Mobile’s discount will continue for or if there is a permanent thing. That said, it’d probably be best to look at picking up the device as soon as possible.
At $650, the Nexus 6 is quite pricey. It’d certainly be attracting to consumers if Google themselves brought the price down. Are you picking up a Nexus 6 from T-Mobile? Let us know in the comments.
source: T-Mobile
Come comment on this article: Deal: T-Mobile Nexus 6 now $550 over Google’s $650
Deal: Get the HTC One M8 for $299 with no contracts
If you’re looking to pick up a One M8, HTC’s flagship for 2014, for $199.99 on a new two-year contract, you might want to consider purchasing your new device from Best Buy. The company is offering an excellent deal on the device on its Deal of the Day page.
For an extra $100, bringing the device up to $299.99, Best Buy is offering it to customers outright with no strings attached. There are no contracts or payment plans—the device will be entirely yours. This deal applies to AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint models.
Still not sure on springing for the HTC One M8? It’s a hard decision, especially with all of the different devices out there that are all so good. Be sure to check out our review on the HTC One M8 and see what you think. It’s a fascinating option.
If you want this device for $299.99, you better act fast, as Best Buy has a limited supply.
source: Best Buy
Come comment on this article: Deal: Get the HTC One M8 for $299 with no contracts
YotaPhone 2 receives some major changes, now available in white
The YotaPhone 2, touting an OLED display on the front and an E-ink solution on the back, today has received some major changes.
As earlier reports suggested, the first of those changes is a major price cut. The YotaPhone 2 can now be purchased for £440 in the UK and €599 in the rest of Europe, which is quite a price cut when you consider it was 100 more last year. These prices put the 32GB model at about $680 in US dollars.
While the device isn’t available in North America yet, Yota plans on bringing the device to the U.S. in July with the help of an earlier announced Indiegogo campaign. Additionally, it was unveiled earlier this year that the device will be available on one of the four major carriers in the United States.
Besides a price cut and a possible North American launch, the YotaPhone 2 is receiving some major software changes, which the company says is largely because of Android Lollipop. The software update has improved the phone’s performance, responsiveness, and even the camera.
Yota today has also released a white model of the YotaPhone 2. For the most part, it’s identical to their black option, the only real change users will notice is that the colors are inverted on the E-ink panel.
Overall, this unique dual-panneled smartphone is a genius design, and we’re looking forward to a US release. Are you? Let us know in the comments.
Come comment on this article: YotaPhone 2 receives some major changes, now available in white
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