SwiftKey’s new keyboard corrects whole phrases
SwiftKey has a new Android keyboard that will autocorrect entire phrases. Named Clarity Keyboard Beta, it aims to constantly scan the last few words typed in order to offer better corrections than rival apps. Like other SwiftKey keyboards, it’ll also learn from your typing style, picking up on your most-used words and phrases.
As its name suggests, Clarity Keyboard Beta is still a work in progress. It’s the first product of a new initiative SwiftKey is calling Greenhouse, which should see a lot more experimental apps come from the company. We gave it a quick test and weren’t particularly wowed by its corrections, although that’s perhaps to be expected given the time it takes to learn your writing style.Despite SwiftKey launching on iOS last year, this beta is Android only for now. There are already some reported problems, such as compatibility issues with certain Samsung and LG devices, but SwiftKey is looking for feedback on the work in progress. It’s available as a free download from Google Play, so you haven’t got much to lose by giving it a spin.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Via: Slashgear
Source: SwiftKey, (Google Play)
LG’s posh Watch Urbane arrives at Google’s store for $349
You no longer have to wait for AT&T (or go through an importer) to buy LG’s ritzy-looking Watch Urbane in the US — it’s available to order today. Google is now carrying the upscale Android Wear timepiece in its store with a $349 price tag, which is pretty reasonable for a gadget crafted from leather and steel. The only catch is the roughly two-week shipping delay as of this writing. But hey, what’s a relatively short wait if it means (hopefully) impressing your smartwatch-savvy friends?
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Google, LG
Via: Google+
Source: Google Store
Facebook brings video calling to Messenger
Facebook is no stranger to video chat, but it’s been keeping a low profile as of late. Well, it’s no longer content to sit on the sidelines while Skype and Hangouts steal the show — the company has just introduced video calling in Messenger. Whether you’re using Android or iOS, you only need to tap a single button in an existing conversation to start a face-to-face session. The feature is available today in 18 countries (including the UK and the US), so give it a shot if you’re a Facebook fan and would rather not fire up another app just to see who you’re talking to.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Facebook
Source: Facebook Newsroom
‘Minecraft’ finally has a free girl character
Lots of girls play Minecraft, but you wouldn’t know it from the default character options. Unless you’ve been willing to pay up or install a mod, your only real choice so far has been Steve, the game’s male mascot. At last, though, things are opening up — Mojang is giving builders the choice of a free girl character, Alex. She’s been around before as a randomly assigned character in the computer version, but the move will help female players on all platforms sculpt their dream worlds using a character they can identify with. PlayStation and Xbox gamers will get Alex as of April 29th, while mobile users playing the Pocket Edition should see her this summer.
Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft
Via: Washington Post
Source: Mojang
Instagram debuts three new filters and emoji hashtags
The five new filters that Instagram released back in December have reportedly been such a hit with users, the company has unveiled three more retouching options: Lark, Reyes and Juno. According to Instagram’s blog, Lark softens reds in favor of blue and green hues to highlight landscape shots while Reyes washes out the image as a whole to create a weathered and vintage feel. The Juno filter is geared more for portraits. It boosts warm tones and whites while adding a slight green tint to cooler colors.
Additionally, Instagram now supports emoji in its hashtags. As the company’s blog explains, “…you can discover even more by adding them to your own photos and videos, searching them on the Explore page and tapping on them when you see them in captions.” These features roll out today; look for iOS version 6.11.0 in the App Store and Android version 6.20.0 in Google Play.
Filed under: Internet
Source: Instagram (blog)
You can now create a note or set an alarm on your smartphone from desktop
Thanks to a nifty little update from Google for its Search application, Android users now have the facility to set an alarm and send notes to their smartphone or tablet directly from a desktop.
To take advantage of this functionality, simply head over to Google’s homepage on your desktop, then type in “send a note” or “set an alarm” followed by the relevant details.
If you’d like to find out more, hit the source link below.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: You can now create a note or set an alarm on your smartphone from desktop
Samsung app helps Alzheimer’s patients remember their families
If you’ve seen Still Alice, you know how important a smartphone can be for an Alzheimer’s patient — it helps jog memories that might otherwise be lost. Samsung is clearly aware of this, as it just released a dedicated Backup Memory app to stimulate the memories of early-onset patients. The Android tool uses Bluetooth to detect when friends and family running the app are nearby. If they are, it’ll both identify the person and show user-uploaded photos and videos that recall past events. The app is currently very simple (Samsung still wants to add GPS locations, for instance), but it’s reportedly promising enough in early tests that it’s slowing down the effects of Alzheimer’s and making life just a little bit easier.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Samsung
Source: Samsung Tomorrow, Google Play
T-Mobile Galaxy Note 4 finally gets Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update
Following behind AT&T and Sprint, T-mobile has now started rolling out an update to Android 5.0.1 Lollipop for owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4! We were already aware this update was coming sometime this week, but thanks to numerous tipsters this morning, we can confirm the update is now live for some users.
The latest update packs the firmware number N910TUVU1COD6 and appears to be a 1085.68MB download. In other words, you’ll probably want to be on Wi-Fi, unless you have unlimited data.
As for what’s new here? As with the case of pretty much all Samsung devices that have moved from KitKat to Lollipop, the aesthetic changes here aren’t nearly as big as you’d see with a device running a stock build of Android, as TouchWiz covers up many of the expected Material Design tweaks. That said, there are still plenty of noticeable changes including Lollipop’s Smart Lock security feature, priority notifications, an improved lockscreen, and much more.
Keep in mind that this update is likely rolling out in stages, so don’t be too surprised if it has yet to reach your device. So how about it, have you received Android Lollipop on your T-Mobile Note 4 yet? If so, what do you think?
Thanks to all that sent this tip in! And a special thanks to John and Alfonso for the screenshots used above!
Send directions to your Android phone with a Google search
Sending Google Maps directions to an Android phone hasn’t been that hard for a while, but it’s now downright easy. Google has introduced a web feature that delivers instructions through a simple search. As long as your phone is properly linked to your Google account, you only have to search for “send directions” to get the ball rolling — choose the route, hit send and your device will be ready to navigate. Only some people appear to have access to this option as of this writing, but there’s a good chance that you’ll get to check it out before too long.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Via: Gizmodo
Source: Google (G+)
Send directions to your Android phone with a Google search
Sending Google Maps directions to an Android phone hasn’t been that hard for a while, but it’s now downright easy. Google has introduced a web feature that delivers instructions through a simple search. As long as your phone is properly linked to your Google account, you only have to search for “send directions” to get the ball rolling — choose the route, hit send and your device will be ready to navigate. Only some people appear to have access to this option as of this writing, but there’s a good chance that you’ll get to check it out before too long.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Via: Gizmodo
Source: Google (G+)
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