Spotify is coming to Canada, finally
Canada is used to being jilted by online media providers that avoid the country like the plague, but that era may be nearing an end — just weeks after Google Play Music got the all clear, Spotify has confirmed that it’s coming to the True North Strong and Free. While the internet music service isn’t officially ready yet, it’s taking sign-ups for pre-launch invitations; the company tells iMore that it’s gradually expanding access over the “coming months” to make sure that it doesn’t choke on the inevitable flood of new users. That will undoubtedly feel like an eternity if you want to join non-Canuck friends who’ve been listening for years. However, you don’t have to sit idle while you’re waiting to stream some Arcade Fire or Metric. Spotify has already posted both its Android and iOS apps, and they should start working as soon as you have an account — grab ‘em early if you want to be ready.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile
Via: MobileSyrup, iMore
Source: Spotify, App Store, Google Play
Climendo’s weather app compares forecasts to deliver the most accurate
Sure, your favorite weather app might look good, but can you really tell how accurate it is? Instead of relying on just one weather source to provide you with an overview of the week’s weather, Climendo wants to do things a little differently. It compares and combines data from the most popular and/or accurate providers to give you the most precise forecast possible. On top of that, it’ll also match predictions with historic data from professional weather stations, letting you know exactly which provider you can trust.
While the app launched in Sweden last year, it’s only now making a break for global success. It’s undergone a redesign, displaying a five-day forecast with six-hourly predictions of upcoming weather, which is supplied by 12 providers located in the US and Europe. They include NOAA, Forecast.io (Dark Sky), Weather Underground, Storm and TV2.dk, with more being added all the time. Based on their predictions (drawn from 10,000 weather stations around the world), the app generates an average forecast and calculates a probability rate (fairly uncertain, certain, fairly certain etc). The more readings that are similar, the higher the chances that you’ll experience the weather it tells you to plan for.
Currently, the app displays the temperature, the current weather condition and wind speed. However, the team says more detailed statistics will come to the app, breaking the data down so that “farmers, sailors, sun bathers, surfers can dig into what they think is the most important part to keep an eye on.” While the new features and design are currently only available to iOS users, the Android and web apps will receive a similar update in the coming weeks. Climendo is $0.99/69p for a limited time and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile
Source: Climendo, (App Store), (Google Play)
How To: Update the Google Play Store on your Android without an APK
It’s usually best to be on the latest version of the Google Play store app on your Android device since from time to time Google releases bug fixes, updates the UI and packs in even more new features.
Most people either wait until the newest version hits their device or downloads an APK from somewhere on the Internet, but we wanted to tell you there’s a much simpler way and it requires no downloading APKs and sideloading the app. Here is what to do:
- Open the Google Play Store app
- Open the side slide-out menu by clicking the three lines at the top left
- Select “Settings”
- Scroll down until you see “Build version”
- Click on “Build version”
If a new build of the Play Store is available, you will be prompted to download and install it. If it’s already the latest, you will get a message that reads, “Google Play Store is up to date,” as you can see in the photo above.
The post How To: Update the Google Play Store on your Android without an APK appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Camera lends shutter control to Android Wear smartwatches
If you’re the type that fancies snapping selfies or group shots from a distance, a pending update to Google’s Camera app should lend a hand. The new version of the software allows Android Wear smartwatches to work as remote shutter controls. What’s more, on top of tapping the watch face to snap a picture, the wearable’s screen will display a countdown with an image preview to follow. Unfortunately, that G Watch or Gear Live won’t act as a viewfinder, so you’ll need to sort the composition beforehand. The update might not show up for you in Google Play just yet, but those eager to implement the function can grab the APK over at Droid Life.
Filed under: Wearables, Software, Mobile
Source: Droid Life, Google Camera (Google Play)
Get a little Android L look and feel on your Xperia device with the L Theme from Candl Design
Android L is all the rage. We all want the Material Design look and feel today, not this fall. For many, this fall doesn’t mean a thing since we know carriers and OEM’s tend to be much further behind than Google. That doesn’t mean you can’t have bits and pieces of the what Android L looks like, minus the fancy little animations of course. If you happen to own an Xperia device then you are in luck. Candl Design recently released a theme specifically for us to use with the Xperia theme engine on our devices.
The theme comes with quite a few graphical changes for your device.
– Navigation bar icons
– Launcher and Lockscreen Wallpaper
– System colors
– Xperia™ Home components (require full version to get full experience)
– Platform Components: button, checkbox, dropdown list,… (require full version)
– Up to 270 graphical assets
The basic theme is free and gives you a few changes like the softkey changes at the bottom. The images above are from the basic free version of the theme. Where as the image below are of the paid version ($0.99). You can quickly see a number of changes like how the folders look, the radio button colors/looks and the slide out in the app drawer.
If you are on Android 4.4+ you are all set, install the theme from the Play Store and then head to Settings > Personalization > Xperia themes and check the box. However, if you are on Android 4.3 you will need root and Supermod. Links to both version are provided below.
Xperia theme: L $0.99
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The post Get a little Android L look and feel on your Xperia device with the L Theme from Candl Design appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Chromecast update lets you mirror your Android screen on a TV
Google vowed that Android users would finally get official screen mirroring on Chromecast through an update, and it’s making good on that promise by rolling out the Chromecast 1.7 app today. Grab the new release and supporting devices (primarily from HTC, LG and Samsung) can send just about anything to a TV just by hitting a “cast screen” button. If you’re using a Nexus device, you don’t even have to launch any software — the feature will pop up in Android’s quick settings. You’re high and dry if your devices aren’t on Google’s compatibility list, but don’t worry too much. We hear there are third-party mirroring apps that can pick up the slack.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Mobile, Google
Source: Google Chrome Blog
Google adds temporary workaround to enable paid apps on Android Wear
When some apps aren’t transferring to your newly-purchased Google toy, you’re probably going to get a little upset. That’s exactly what happened with paid apps from Android’s Google Play, which were happily installing to phones, just not Bluetooth-paired G Watch and Gear Live. The company’s come up with a workaround for now which requires paid app makers to manually package files differently. Android Developers said (via Google+, of course) that it’s working to make this easier in the future. Now, Android Wear’s early adopters will simply have to wait for the app developers to make those manual changes.
Filed under: Wearables, Google
Source: Android Developers (Google+)
How Droid World examines the future of the Android ecosystem
With Android systems tipping the balance at up to 81% in units sold dependent on who you read, it’s never been a more fruitful time to be working in Android. There’s an awful lot of excitement coming out of Google I/O, and with version 4.4.4 hitting the streets, it’s definitely something for users to get their teeth into for now with a vital OpenSSL vuln fix the top priority.
With wearable technology and the Internet of Things gaining in prominence and mindshare, what’s available for developers on these new platforms? The possibilities are endless.
A lot of focus this year is on budget Android devices, with companies such as Huawei, Motorola, Samsung and ZTE releasing their own kit for customers in developing markets. How are these going to influence the ecosystem? Similarly, how is fragmentation going to affect these devices? Given a recent study showed that Android and iOS posed nearly equal security dangers in a corporate environment, are Android devices getting a bad rap?
The Droid World conference at Apps World, now in its fifth year, will answer all these questions and more. Featuring speakers from The Next Web, IDG, as well as Martin Joensson, design manager at Google. This free-to-attend track is essential for those looking to build on Android as well as general enthusiasts.
Find out more about Droid World and register for your free pass please click here.
The post How Droid World examines the future of the Android ecosystem appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Android L Hits the Nexus 4! Android 4.4.4 for the New Moto Family! – Device Updates
Android L makes its way over to the Nexus 4, and now more people can enjoy the beauty that is Material Design. Got to love these developers in our community, and how they strive to bring us the latest and greatest. The Moto family is starting to see Android 4.4.4, but that is only if you are over in india. I am sure everyone else will get theirs soon.
Device Updates
Android L ported to the Nexus 4
Android 4.4.4 hitting the Moto family in India
Gionee Elife leaps to Android 4.4.2
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document.write('’);
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The post Android L Hits the Nexus 4! Android 4.4.4 for the New Moto Family! – Device Updates appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Crowdfunded documentary chronicles the rise and rise of apps
In the spirit of Indie Game: The Movie, comes App: The Human Story — a documentary that looks at the people behind the digital goods we consume. The film chronicles the rise of developers following the iPhone’s release back in 2007 and runs all the way through Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference from this year. Who’s on camera? Tumblr founder and Instapaper creator Marco Arment and Macworld editorial director Jason Snell to name a few. The filmmakers know that the list skews Cupertino-heavy at the moment and have told TechCrunch that their wish is to get Google’s senior VP of Android and Chrome apps Sundar Pichai, and Android’s user-experience chief Matias Duarte in the film as well. The team is hitting Kickstarter to help finance the rest of production costs, and for a cool $50, you can get an unedited version of any one interview if you’re so inclined.
Should you be super obsessive, though, $300 will get you the raw conversations of every person the filmmakers spoke with. And that kind of insight could well be priceless.
[Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Apple, Google
Source: KickStarter
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