Sonos’ revamped, search-friendly music controller is now available to everyone
Should you own any Sonos audio gear, you’ve probably been on pins and needles waiting for the company’s big (and frankly overdue) controller app revamp. Well, it’s here: starting today, both Android and iOS users can snag the redesigned remote without having to sign up for a beta test. As before, the centerpiece is a universal search that makes it easier to find music, whether it’s on your phone or a streaming service like Google Play. You’ll also get a truly modern-looking interface that’s far simpler for both finding your next tune and setting up multi-room sound. The app is available as we write this, so have at it if you’re a fan of Sonos’ wireless speaker tech.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile
Source: Sonos Blog, App Store, Google Play
Details uncovered for Samsung’s 13.3-inch tablet, and Super AMOLED tablets
More info has surfaced on the rumours that Samsung are developing three new Tablet devices, two of which have AMLOED screens but all three will have a WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600) screen resolution with 3G and WiFi versions in the pipe line.
Codenamed “Chagall”, this first device could be the Galaxy Tab S with its super AMLOED screen being 10.5″ in size and running with either flavours of the Exynos 5 chipset which are reported to boast 1.9GHz four Cortex-A15 cores or four Cortex-A7 cores. To help with keeping the device running smoothly, 32-bit dual-channel 933MHz LPDDR3e RAM is on the list along with graphics being handled by an hexa-core Mali-T628 GPU.
The final two devices with the codename of “Klimt” & “Warhol” will be of similar spec as the first but will see “Klimt” with a super AMOLED screen of only 8.4″ in size. Meanwhile the “Warhole is set to be more impressive with its, possible LCD and not AMOLED, 13.3″ screen size which could see it be a high-end Samsung device something along the lines of a Galaxy Tab Pro.
Android 4.4 KitKat will be power all three Tablets with Samsung’s software customisation.
SOURCE: gsmarena.com
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Editor’s Picks: 15 Android apps you should know (May 10)
The Editor’s Picks, formerly known as APPTEASERS, is a collection of apps and games that are new to Android, recently updated, discounted, etc. Whatever the case, we think they’re worth exploring and are willing to bet that many of you would enjoy a few of them.
We understand that we won’t get every single app that crosses our path but we hope to filter things a bit and pass them along to you, dear reader. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ as we showcase different apps over on our social network streams.
Most of what’s highlighted in this category is comprised of our App of the Day selections. Be sure to click through to read our individual posts for more details and descriptions!
PLEASE NOTE THIS ARTICLE IS SPREAD OVER THREE PAGES
Twisted Adventure: Little Red Riding Hood
Mechanics really straightforward; tap to jump. You’ll be hopping from one round, spinning platform to the next and you’re always moving forward. It’s not rocket science but it does get harder – and fast. Bats and other shadow animals will try to stop you so you need to think on your toes.
We simply love the graphics and game play of this one and think you’ll appreciate it. The music reminds me of something out of a Danny Elfman score (Beetlejuice or Edward Scissorhands) and really adds a layer of atmosphere. The the whole game spans 60 levels with a goal to collect and free as many items as possible. If you’re fan of trying to achieve three stars or perfect scores you’ll find high replay value here. – READ MORE
IQTELL
Employing a combination of David Allen’s Getting Things Done principles and some secret ingredients, IQTELL promises to deliver a consistent “inbox zero”. You’ll find it merges an assortment of tools and services such as Gmail, calendars, Evernote, projects, and more.
Users can log into the system through a variety of account types but we’re pretty sure you’re most focused about Gmail. With that in mind, you can also start from scratch with an IQTELL account. – READ MORE
Glove
So your contract is up and you’re ready to switch to a new carrier, eh? Or, maybe you’ve gotten so aggravated with your providers data speeds that you’re ready to call it quits. Before you sign any long-term agreements or commit to a particular wireless carrier, try out Glove.
Using crowdsourced data the app is able to determine which network gives you the best reception. Not only does Glove make a recommendation but it even hands the user off to the carrier, making it easy to switch. – READ MORE
Flipp
If you are a shopaholic then Flipp is a must-have-app for you. It’s an app that aggregates retail flyers from all of your favorite local stores such as Target, Macy’s, Sports Authority and Dollar General. Combined, this list is available on your smartphone; making it easy for you plan your shopping.
Offering digital flyers from at least 190 local stores in the US and 80 local stores in Canada, Flipp is an app that will literally innovate the way you shop. If you are interested, download it by clicking the link below. – READ MORE
MTV Artists
If you’re anything like we are, then you know that browsing Google and Wikipedia tirelessly when researching a musician or band can get pretty difficult. With MTV Artists, though, you have everything at your immediate disposal. They’ve taken everything and compiled it into one go-to app for anything related to your favorite musician or band.
MTV Artists lets you use Sound ID, and even a lyric search to find that one song that’s been on your mind since you heard it at a friend’s house or on the radio. It also lets you search through an abundance of free music videos/songs to stream, biographies, and even live concert pictures of the particular artist. You can get it at the Play Store for free, and be an expert on any musical artist in minutes! – READ MORE
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Top Five Android Accessories According to Everyday Users
Like most people, you probably think of yourself as a distinct individual— completely original, a 100 percent unique snowflake. But you tend to start caring a little more about the thoughts of others when it comes to buying something online. You’re probably a lot less likely to download a particular Android app if the ten most recent reviewers complain about crashing issues. Phone accessories are no different, except you usually invest a lot more money in accessories than you do in apps. So rather than sorting through the reviews yourself, below are just a few five best-reviewed accessories on the market:
1. Universal Charge Cable
Every gadget geek has a tangled web of charger cords lurking somewhere, turning every “low battery” alert into a starter pistol for the race of untying the cord before the device dies. The Universal Charge Cable is an essential cord that connects your smartphone to your computer, e-reader, tablet, and any device with a USB port. Out of 98 Amazon reviews, the device has a four-star rating, with most of the positive reviews raving about the long, five-foot cord and the convenience of data syncing. The cable offered by Cable Forge had a number of negative reviews about the cord’s short lifespan, while the universal charge cable offered by T-Mobile received more consistently positive reviews.
2. Sports Armband for Droid OtterBox Defender
Four hundred and forty-five Amazon customer reviewers gave the Sports Armband an average rating of 4.5 stars. The armband is designed to secure to protective OtterBox cases for the Motorola Droid Mini, Droid Razr HD, Razr Maxx HD, Droid Razr M, Moto X, and more. Reviewer Silver called the armband “a must for runners,” with some advice on using the styrofoam insert to provide a snugger fit for skinnier arms. Meanwhile, a special band flap keeps your earphone cords organized, and a clear, protective window cover doesn’t interfere with control.
3. Andru Android Robot USB Travel Charger
The Andru Robot is unquestionably the cutest Android smartphone charger on the market, and it happens to be one of the most well-reviewed. An outstanding 224 Amazon reviewers gave the charger a perfect five-star rating. User Anonymous139 gave the most helpful review, writing, “The most important thing about this little guy is the fact that he’s a 1 amp charger — the same as your stock charger. So you’ll get fast charge times, unlike with a cheap charger or USB port (which usually puts out about 500mA or half an amp).” One three-star reviewer said it charged a little too slowly for his taste.
4. Oontz Curve Wireless Bluetooth Speaker and Speakerphone
When your phone speaker doesn’t cut it for playing music and watching movies, the Oontz Curve portable Bluetooth speaker picks up the slack. The device has five hours of play time, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and 365 five-star reviews on Amazon. User Liana Saxton Smith said, “I didn’t expect too much bass at this price point but I have to say I’m very pleased with the quality of sound and volume.” User Josh complained of feedback to support his two-star review, so users sensitive to this quality may want to take extra precautions.
5. Mot Droid Razr Hybrid Case
Unfortunately, many Android users know the gut-sinking feeling of accidentally dropping a smartphone on a hard surface. If a regular case just isn’t cutting it for your lifestyle, the Mot Droid Razr Hybrid case comes with high-tech protection and more. It comes with a hard plastic inside, soft silicone outside, and reinforced edges to maximize grip and protection.The case got an average four-star rating from 69 Amazon reviewers, who claim it’s “better than an OtterBox” and emphasize the benefits of the kickstand feature.
ARCHOS debuts ArcBook, a wallet friendly Android netbook
Archos has just announced its latest Android powered netbook for a very money-friendly price of $169! The netbook runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out of the box and is preinstalled with Office Suite Pro 6, so you can edit all your Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and PDF files with ease.
The netbook looks promising offering access to all Google services, including the Play Store and also features 15GB of free Google Drive. Check out the spec list below!
Specs:
- 10.1-inch touchscreen display with 1024×600 resolution
- ARM Coretex A9 dual-core processor, 1.2 Ghz
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB Flash memory
- Front Camera
- 2 Built-in Speakers
- Wi-fi ready
- 2 USB 2.0 jacks
- 3.5mm audio jack
- MicroSD card reader
- Full Keyboard and touchpad
- 10 hours of battery life
No exact release date has been said, but Archos is saying sometime in June. Will you be snagging one up for $169? Could this be a Chromebook competitor?
Source: Archos
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Motorola launches the Moto E, a durable and affordable Android smartphone
It’s hard not to love the Moto G, it being an incredible handset for the asking price and the benchmark against which other affordable smartphones should be judged. A lot’s happened since that phone’s release, though, namely Lenovo’s acquisition of Motorola from Google. Motorola may be under new leadership now, but recognizes it’s on to a good thing with low-cost, high-value Android hardware, today announcing another smartphone of that nature, the Moto E. As a retailer leak suggested, the Moto E has slightly weaker specs than that of the G, with a 4.3-inch, 960 x 540 display, 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200 processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, 1,980mAh battery, a 5-megapixel main camera and the dual-SIM capability that’s particularly popular in developing countries.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Lenovo
Unannounced Moto G with LTE pops up on Amazon
As good a deal as the Moto G might be for frugal smartphone shoppers, it doesn’t have speedy LTE data; for some, that’s practically a deal-breaker. However, it might get that often-sought upgrade relatively soon. Amazon has posted listings for two unannounced Moto G variants with “universal LTE,” including one in a previously unavailable white hue. Detailed store pages are sadly missing, but both entries mention a $220 price (slightly above the $200 you’d pay for a 16GB 3G model) and a June 30th ship date. We’d also expect these to work only with GSM-based networks like AT&T and T-Mobile, so don’t count on there being a Verizon equivalent.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s hard to determine how much Amazon really knows. The picture of the Moto G LTE clearly isn’t for the current edition, but the launch details could easily be little more than placeholder info. A June release would line up with earlier rumors from Xataka, though, and it’s not far-fetched to see this model carrying a slight price premium. We may get the full scoop before long, at any rate. Motorola is holding a big event on the 13th — many expect it to focus on the Moto E, but there’s nothing precluding an update to the company’s existing budget handset at the same time.
[Thanks, anonymous]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google, Lenovo
Source: Amazon, Juan Garzon (Google+)
Square’s new app lets you pre-order food and drink before picking it up
Square is one of those apps you may have heard of, but have no idea what it does — because it mostly sells point-of-sale software and readers to businesses. It has just quietly expanded its consumer presence with Square Order, however, which looks like the customer-based app used in conjunction with Square Pickup for merchants. We says “looks like” because the app has quietly slipped into the iOS and Android (Beta) Play stores without any official announcement. Using it seems simple enough: you locate a restaurant, cafe or shop (Whole Foods, for instance) from a list of Square Pickup merchants. Then, you can place a pre-order, pay for it and receive a notification from the app when it’s ready. That’ll put it into competition with apps like PayPal’s wallet and GrubHub, though so far Order is only available in New York and San Francisco (more cities are promised soon). We’ve reached out for more info, but if you’re in one of those ‘burgs, grab it here.
Filed under: Software
Via: TNW
Source: Square
Google Calendar gets some color in a new update
Google Calendar app just got some much requested functions. After you update your Google Calendar app you’re going to be able to customize events and add some color to your calendar directly from your smartphone.
Google has redesigned time and date pickers which should make adding that special event in your calendar even easier and more pleasant to do. Along with redesigning the event scheduling, the application now allows you to mark your meetings with different colors which should help organizing different stuff in your calendar much more enjoyable and quite frankly more productive.
It’s also easier to schedule repeating events in this version of Google Calendar. You can now set repeating events any day of the week, month, or every x number of weeks, it’s completely up to you, Timezone picker has also been redesigned in order to make it easier to find the region you’re looking for.
This update is available for all android 4.0.3 devices and above. You might not be able to install it immediately but it will become available soon on Google Play
SOURCE: Android Blogspot
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G Watch promo video gives us another peek at LG’s Android-powered wristwear
We’re not expecting to find out all about LG’s “G Watch” smartwatch (and new top of the line G3 phone) until the end of this month, but if you needed another teaser then here it goes. A short promo video for the device doesn’t introduce much in the way of details, but if you want to see its Android Wear software in motion or a few 360-degree rotations of its “timeless” metal body, this will suffice. LG is still promising to the “define the smartwatch” with all-day comfort and readiness for anything on a single charge despite an always-on screen, all in a water- and dust-resistant shell.
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, LG
Source: LG Mobile (YouTube), LG
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