Google’s Chrome remote desktop app will come to iOS as well as Android
The desktop versions of Chrome make it easy to access remote PCs (and Chromebooks) linked together by your Google account, but this feature hasn’t yet made the trek across to Chrome’s mobile manifestations. We know that an official Android “Chromoting” app (an early build of which is shown in the screenshot above) has been in the works for a while, and now there’s evidence it’ll come to iOS too. Radio chatter between Chromium developers reveals that the iOS version is still at an “unpolished” design stage, but it also suggests that a good few devs have it on their to-do lists — and although we have very little detail about how the final Chromoting app will work, these folks must believe that it’ll do something different (or better, or easier) than the hoards of existing alternatives.
[Image courtesy of Chrome Story]
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Google
Via: 9to5mac
Source: Chromium
Motorola expands Moto X wood finish options, drops the price premium to $25
If you’ve wanted a Moto X with a wood finish, but didn’t like bamboo or the $100 price premium over a regular model, we have good news: Motorola has just made the option a lot more appealing. Starting January 21st, you’ll get to customize the Android smartphone with an ebony, teak or walnut backing (rosewood isn’t an option, alas). That astronomical price has come down to Earth, too, as the wood option now costs a more reasonable $25. We can’t imagine that many prospective Moto X buyers have been waiting for a device that matches their coffee table, but those particularly demanding customers should be very happy after next week.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Source: Official Motorola Blog
HTC One successor due in late March – Bloomberg
The successor to the HTC One will arrive in late March, according to a source close to Bloomberg. Expected to feature a display of 5-inches or larger, the handset is also alleged to offer a twin-sensor rear camera which improves focus and image quality. Reportedly, the device will employ “Qualcomm Inc.’s later Snapdragon processor”, likely the Snapdragon 805 announced toward the end of 2013.
As for the name, it appears HTC may potentially leave things alone and go with the same branding. Perhaps they’ll market it as the “new HTC One” or something that alerts consumers that it’s the new version of the flagship. Works for Apple and the iPad, right?
The post HTC One successor due in late March – Bloomberg appeared first on AndroidGuys.
HTC One sequel rumored to have two rear cameras for better focusing and image quality
Last year’s leak of the HTC One’s follow-up, the M8, seemingly raised more questions than it answered. When will it ship? And what’s the deal with that second hole on the back? We may have a much clearer picture today, though. Bloomberg sources now claim that the M8 will arrive in late March, and that additional hole is reportedly for an additional camera that would assist a next-generation Ultrapixel sensor. The companion shooter would improve focusing and image quality while allowing for depth of field effects — we’re guessing that means tricks like post-shot refocusing, not the 3D video that HTC gave up years ago. The tipsters otherwise support rumors that we’ve seen before, including talk of a larger screen and a newer Snapdragon processor. It’s tough to know whether or not the M8 will be a worthy sequel based on these leaks, but they do hint that we’re looking at more than just a mild refresh.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC
Source: Bloomberg
Latest LG phone leak keeps hope alive for keyboard lovers
Smartphones with keyboards are increasingly rare, but LG must see some life left in the category — @evleaks has just posted a leaked press shot and specs for the Optimus F3Q, a landscape slider reportedly headed to T-Mobile. While the image doesn’t do much beyond confirm the five-row keyboard from an abstract image seen last month, the rumored specs suggest that the F3Q won’t be much different than its touch-only counterpart. It will supposedly ship with the F3′s 4-inch WVGA display, dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon, 5-megapixel camera and 2,460mAh battery; it may even run Android 4.1. There’s no mention of launch details in the leak, but the modest spec sheet hints that LG’s QWERTY handset will get an entry-level price.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG, T-Mobile
Source: @evleaks (Twitter)
DoubleTwist’s new Android app records songs played on iTunes Radio (updated)
Those clever guys and gals at DoubleTwist have been freeing music from iTunes’ grasp for years, so we suppose it was only a matter of time before they figured out how to do the same with songs played on iTunes Radio. The app’s called, quite appropriately, iTunes Radio Recorder, and it circumvents Apple’s DRM by turns your Android phone into an AirPlay device — not literally, mind you, the app on your phone simply populates as an optional AirPlay streaming device in iTunes on your computer.
Once the app is selected for AirPlay streaming, music is played and recorded in real-time, so a five minute file will take five minutes to record. Not quite as quick as a download, but it is an elegant way to circumvent Apple’s digital audio shackles. As for piracy or legal concerns? DoubleTwist has none. According to company Co-founder and President Monique Farantzos: “Recording has been around for decades, from audio cassettes (remember mix tapes?) to TuneIn radio’s recording feature. Given that Apple built their iPod empire on letting millions of people rip CDs based on fair use, we don’t see how they could object to this app.” So, there you have it. Go forth, friends. Listen. Record. Enjoy the fruits of iTunes streaming and DoubleTwist’s coding labors… while it lasts.
Update: We mistakenly reported earlier that iTunes Radio streams are protected with DRM, when in fact, they are not.
Filed under: Software, HD, Mobile
Via: @jonlech (Twitter)
Source: Google Play
Code hints that Google may bake fitness sensor support into Android
KitKat brought pedometer functions to Android, but that’s not necessarily enough for smartphone owners who want to track their fitness routines. Google may be aware of that desire for more athletic info, though. Google Operating System has discovered code (shown below) for a future “Fitness API” that would supply apps with activity data from an Android device’s sensors. We don’t know much more than that, however. There aren’t any clues as to when (or if) the API would be ready, and it’s uncertain whether the software is tied to either a new OS revision or a Google Play Services update. Still, don’t be surprised if your favorite Android fitness app becomes much more sophisticated in the near future.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Via: Droid-Life
Source: Google Operating System
Not out yet, Panasonic rumored to return to smartphone fray
After bowing out of the smartphone game back in September 2013, Panasonic is reportedly set to introduce a new handset in 2014. Details are light at this stage, but the phone is said to feature a 5-inch display and offer some degree of rugged protection. Likely shock resistant, it sounds like the type of device that would best be suited for construction sites and places that literally take users out into the field. According to Asahi Shimbun Digital (Japan), Panasonic has already started working with carriers to bring the device to the United States.
Mobile World Congress gets started at the end of February; Panasonic could introduce this smartphone at the event.
The post Not out yet, Panasonic rumored to return to smartphone fray appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Oppo’s latest smartphone lets you text with gloves on
Answering a text message in the middle of winter can pose a serious threat to your fingers if you aren’t careful — polar vortex or not — but Oppo is looking out for you. See, the outfit’s newly announced Neo smartphone has what it’s calling “gloves mode” that apparently allows you to keep emailing or tweeting even if you’re, well, gloved. This isn’t exactly new though, as other OEMs have done it before. We’re still happy to see it spreading further, regardless. Sadly, there isn’t much else to boast about spec-wise: the device sports a 4.5-inch 854 x 480 display, a dual-core 1.3GHz processor and a twin SIM slot among other accoutrements. It isn’t the cheapest way to get a ColorOS handset (around $422) however, but it is less costly than Oppo’s flagship N1. If you live stateside and are keen on the Neo though, you’re out of luck — it’ll only be available in Indonesia to start.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Via: Android Community
Source: Oppo Indonesia
You can now star Google Contacts, just like important messages in Gmail
Need a way to easily access that select group of contacts you converse with frequently without manually creating groups? Well, the same star action that’s used in Gmail to flag important correspondence now appears in Google Contacts. Those folks you affix the gold mark to will be added to the “Starred” group for easy access. Android users’ selections will also sync with Android Contacts to stay organized across desktop and mobile. Of course, you can also use Google+ circles as another organizational alternative.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Gmail (Google+)
AIVAnet 