Google Now’s info cards will stick around when your phone goes offline
One of Google Now’s biggest quirks has been its inability to cope with going offline — go through a subway tunnel and you risk losing those important directions or your parking place. You won’t be left hanging after today, though, as Google has brought offline support to Now on Android phones. So long as you’re using the latest version of the Search app, all your information cards should hang around whenever you’re cut off from the rest of the world. It’s a small change, but it could make a big difference if it keeps you informed while you’re off the grid.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: Google+
Here’s how Google’s modular phone will get its 3D-printed parts
Google’s modular Project Ara smartphone is all about customization, but that creates a challenge: how are manufacturers supposed to build so many uncommon (and possibly unique) parts? The crew at 3D Systems is more than happy to tell you — it just outlined the 3D printing techniques it’s using to make Ara a reality. The company is dropping the conventional printing process, which bogs down due to frequent changes in speed, in favor of a continuously moving system that’s fast enough to cope with mass production. The technique should generate “millions” of parts, even when some components need special treatment.
The manufacturing technique should be very flexible, to boot. We already knew that 3D Systems would be making conductive ink (with the help of Carnegie Mellon University and X5 Systems) to print working parts, like antennas. However, it will also print parts in a “full spectrum” of colors, including transparencies; there’s a possibility that you’ll get parts for your Project Ara phone in the exact hues you want. You’ll still have to wait until 2015 to get a modular mobile device of your own, but you’ll at least know how it came into being.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Via: SlashGear
Source: 3D Systems
Adidas confirms offline Spotify playback coming to its SmartRun Android watch
Yesterday we reported on a new collaboration between Spotify and Adidas that would allow runners to cook up a personalized playlist and fresh route for their next run. That’s great, if you run with your phone, but we mused that Adidas already has a device that could handle that task — the Android-powered SmartRun. Turns out, Adidas is one step ahead, and confirmed to us today that offline Spotify playback will be coming to the SmartRun later this year (towards Christmastime). So, a plus for Spotify subscribers, who get one more place to enjoy their music, and a definite boost for SmartRun owners, if for no other reason than the knowledge that it’s a product Adidas is clearly keen to expand the functionality of. Too much to dare that even more features could be in the pipeline?
Filed under: Wearables
Tablet demand hits a wall as many are happy with the devices they own
It looks like Apple wasn’t the only tech firm to see its tablet business take a hit this winter; according to IDC, others suffered a similar fate. The analyst group estimates that overall tablet shipments grew just 3.9 percent year-over-year in the first quarter, a sharp contrast with the breakneck pace of the past few years. Amazon took a particularly severe blow, as its shipments dropped almost 50 percent. So what prompted the suddenly chilly market? If you believe researchers, many are happy with the devices they’ve got — they either have a good-enough tablet or a big-screen smartphone that will do in a pinch. Simply put, there was no compelling reason to splurge on something new.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom. Samsung’s shipments grew by a third, in part because it encouraged carriers to bundle cellular tablets with smartphones. Lenovo’s success with slates also continued unabated. While it’s still relatively small in this field compared to Apple or Samsung, its unit numbers more than tripled in the past year thanks to hits like the Yoga Tablet. These are shipments and not sales, so they don’t tell a complete story — Apple claims that pent-up iPad mini demand skewed its figures last year, for instance. Even with that in mind, it’s evident that tablet makers will have to fight harder to capture people’s attention.
Filed under: Tablets, Apple, Samsung, ASUS, Amazon, Lenovo
Source: IDC
Sony trolls the US by accidentally showing off an Xperia Z2 for Verizon
Hey, what’s this? Sony said that it would only sell the Xperia Z2 in the US as an unlocked model, but the company has briefly teased Google+ followers with a picture of the high-end Android phone sporting a conspicuous Verizon logo. The image has since vanished, but it hints that Sony has at least been considering a reunion with Big Red — notable when the carrier hasn’t offered a Sony smartphone since the Xperia Play in 2011.
Sony isn’t saying much about the significance of the image at this stage. In a statement (available below), it tells us that the device was a “mock-up” that wasn’t supposed to go online, and that it’s still “excited” about the launch of the unlocked model. We certainly wouldn’t bet on the Z2 hitting Verizon any time soon, even if there’s more to the story than what Sony is saying. As Android Central warns, Verizon is no stranger to backing away from devices (such as the HTC Merge) before they ship. It’s entirely possible that this is just a glimpse at a launch that might have been.
“A mock-up image was mistakenly posted to the Sony Mobile Google+ page. The image has since been removed and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused. For our U.S. customers eager to find out more information about the availability of Xperia Z2, we are excited to share that the device will be coming to the U.S. unlocked this summer.”
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony, Verizon
Via: Pocketnow
Source: Android Central
Wahoo’s new heart rate monitor also improves your running form
Many heart rate monitors can show that you’re running quickly enough to get a good workout. However, they won’t tell you that you’re running properly — which is why Wahoo has just unveiled the TICKR Run, a monitor that includes its own motion sensor. The wearable tracks not just your heartbeat and calories, but also your stride and overall smoothness; you should get a feel for the efficiency of your running style without having to use a separate foot pod.
There’s also a treadmill mode for when you’re stuck inside, and the monitor will talk to both Wahoo’s iPhone app as well as third-party Android and iOS titles like RunKeeper and Strava. The movement tracking boosts the TICKR Run’s price to $80 versus the regular TICKR’s $60, but that might pay dividends if it helps you both refine your form and avoid buying additional gear.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Mobile
Source: Wahoo Fitness
Foursquare unbundles app, introduces Swarm to locate friends
Foursquare have taken to their blog today to announce a fundamental change to their App and by doing so have introduced a new App called Swarm.
The company identified that you spend a lot of time asking friends where they are whilst you are out at the place you’ve just checked into using Foursquare. Consequently, they’ve chosen to break the App out and bring the ability to see exactly where your friends are with Swarm.
With Swarm, you can easily see which of your friends are out nearby, figure out who is up for grabbing a drink later, and share what you’re up to (faster and more easily than you can in Foursquare today).
Swarm will be available on iOS and Android in the coming weeks and can sign up at swarmapp.com to be notified when it’s ready.
In addition, Foursquare are revamping the way their App works by offering a discovery-based approach on places they think you’d like to visit. The company says they are also still working on this, so whilst it seems Foursquare are fundamentally changing the way it all works, nothing is yet out for us to take for a test drive.
Are you excited for the Foursquare change?
SOURCE: Foursquare
The post Foursquare unbundles app, introduces Swarm to locate friends appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Spotify for Android updated to provide an even better user experience
Spotify has announced a new update available for download in the Play Store.
The new update features an refreshed interface with a black theme, new typography and rounded iconography.
Also added to their offering is a feature called Your Music, which allows you to save and organize songs or albums for listening later.
Spotify is also introducing the Browse feature which allows you to select the perfect playlist to set the mood or occasion.
This update looks to add to the extensive list of features already offered by the Spotify app, and should be rolling out now.
Source: Spotify, images via Phonedog
The post Spotify for Android updated to provide an even better user experience appeared first on AndroidGuys.
OnePlus One phone available to the masses this June
OnePlus, a subsidy of Chinese phone maker Oppo, has published a statement that the highly anticipated One unlocked phone will become generally available to the public this June. In the oneplus.net forums, OnePlus has stated:
“When we started OnePlus, one of the first things we announced was that our product would be available internationally in Q2 2014. We’re well on track of achieving that….”,
In addition, the OnePlus project has highlighted the below milestones which show the progress of the various phases.
- Ready now – 100 for phone smashers
- Mid to late May – Larger batch 16GB Silk White for the first batch of invites
- Early June – Larger batch 64GB Sandstone Black
- Later in June – Increased general availability, people who want it should be able to get an invite without much trouble in June”
The One’s media is touting the device as a almost-pure Android device that has (initially) impressive physical build and specifications, while still being priced at $299 unlocked.
You can find previous AG news one the OnePlus One here.
The post OnePlus One phone available to the masses this June appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Now for Android remembers where you parked
You probably have a trick or two up your sleeve to remember where you’ve parked amidst a sea of other cars. But if you’re still prone to forgetting your parking spot, Google’s refreshed Android Search app might be able to help you out. The update adds a new Google Now parking card that lists the address of the place where you left your car, along with a map that shows how far you are from that location. In case the card got it wrong the first time (ever got lost because Google Maps gave you faulty directions?), it can also offer alternative places that you can check. Yes, that’s a nightmare if you’re in a massive parking lot, but it sure beats going around in circles for hours. Update not showing up for you? You download the APK from Android Police instead.
Filed under: Misc, Mobile, Google
Via: 9to5 Google
Source: Google Play, Android Police
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