Britney’s new mobile game offers a piece of the pop princess
First came Kim. Then came Katy. And now it’s time for Britney, bitch. Vegas’ pop-princess-in-residence is following in the digital footsteps of Kanye’s notorious Instawife with a free-to-play mobile game out today on iOS and Android. Britney Spears: American Dream, the first release of a five-year deal with developer Glu Mobile, is described as narrative role-playing game. It positions you, the player, as an aspirational pop star seeking Britney’s advice and approval, and, ultimately, fame in the finicky music industry. Despite headlining the game and providing access to her catalog of hits, however, Britney is mostly a side attraction.
The game, which opens with an aerial shot of Spears’ Vegas act and a video of Britney on stage addressing players, is peppered with sound bites that lead into, but do not complete, her written dialogue. Make no mistake: The specter of Britney is present, but the game is more about players aping her achievement of the “American Dream” through performances, social media popularity and outfit changes (funded by in-app purchases).
Glu’s CEO Niccolo de Masi is hoping user-generated content, which takes the form of customized cover art for singles in-game, will help spur a lingering community and become the defining factor of American Dream’s success. De Masi says that already an overwhelming number of beta testers — about 85 percent — are spending time simply tweaking their avatar’s single artwork, a feature that translates social-media likes into in-game points.
“There’s a positive gamified feedback loop for having a more popular single than somebody else,” says de Masi. “And that obviously is not only the way life works in the music industry, but it’s also something that will keep players engaged and competing to be the most popular singles creator.”
Whether that social-media slant will prove alluring enough to foster a robust community remains to be seen. But Glu’s got a backup plan designed to attract the sort of player-vs.-player interaction that will keep players around and, in turn, help generate in-app purchases: competing “guilds,” as de Masi calls them, or in American Dream’s parlance, record labels.
As with all things tied to the business of being Britney Spears, the release of American Dream is timed to her new album, which is rumored to be dropping sometime soon. De Masi says once Britney’s new music is out, the game will be updated with “more features, as well as messaging around … her next singles” and even the next season of her Vegas show.
With the recent underwhelming performance of Glu’s other high-profile, celeb-driven mobile experiments, Katy Perry Pop and Kendall and Kylie, and a subsequent round of layoffs, de Masi is pretty candid about the importance of Britney’s resurgent popularity and expanding fanbase to the company’s bottom line.
“She’s been around long enough to capture not just 15-year-olds, but also 35-to-45-year-olds,” he says. “I think that could be a real secret monetization weapon, so to speak. Because, of course, as people age, they tend to have more disposable income. And that might well be highly favorable to this game.”
Spears, who declined to be interviewed for this piece, provided a statement to Engadget:
“I’m a creative person by nature, and I love expressing that through my show, music, personal style and dance. Now I get to flex my creative muscles in a whole new way! I’m so excited to share this project with my fans. Mobile gaming is something completely new for me and I can’t wait to hear what my fans think of all the fun music, outfits, pets and artwork. I hope they adore it as much as I do!”
Image credits: Glu Mobile
Fitbit’s app auto-tracks activity on the Nexus 5X and 6P
With more and more smartphones now rocking motion co-processors, basic fitness activities can now be tracked without the need for a dedicated wearable. Fitbit brought such a feature to the iPhone 5S back in 2013, but Android support has been sporadic. Today, the company pushed a new update for Google devices, allowing owners of the Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P to use the app without a tracker and capture basic metrics like steps, distance and calories burned.
The feature is called MobileTrack and it uses the Android Sensor Hub, a dedicated processor that connects directly to the camera’s sensors, to quietly track movement while sipping a low amount of power. Its activity-recognition algorithms can detect when you’re embarking on a run or hopping on your bike without needing to be phone to be woken. Granted, it won’t be able to give you the best overview of your fitness, but if you’re keen to compare steps with your Fitbit-wearing friends and family, it will get you off a decent start.
Via: Fitbit Community
Source: Fitbit (Google Play)
Google launches Android Pay in the UK
As promised, Google has brought Android Pay to the UK. The app is now live in the Google Play Store, meaning anyone with a compatible credit or debit card can link their bank account and start making payments. The Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA and Nationwide Building Society are all on board at launch, however it might take a little while before your particular bank is up and running. Oh, and don’t expect Barclays to support Android Pay any time soon. It’s a little preoccupied with its own Android app.
Once everything is set up, you’ll be able to use Android Pay almost anywhere contactless payments are supported in the UK. It will also integrate with other Android apps, including Deliveroo and YPlan, so you don’t have to enter your payment or address details every time.
Source: Android Pay (Google Support)
Starz starts streaming on Android TV
ESPN isn’t the only big broadcaster showing some affection for Android TV today. Starz has launched its streaming service on Google’s big-screen platform, giving you access to Ash vs. Evil Dead, Outlander and other shows through Android-powered TVs and set-top boxes. The features will resemble what you’ve found on iOS and smaller Android devices, including both the $9 per month internet-only plan and authentication if you already get Starz through a supporting TV provider (sorry, Comcast customers). Just don’t expect it to work on every gadget running the platform — the company only promises support for “select” Android TV devices, such as Sony’s Android sets and Google’s Nexus Player.
Source: Starz
Get ready for Android N, VR and more at Google I/O 2016
It’s that time of year again. Google’s about to give developers a serious show at I/O 2016, which this year is at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View (also known as Google’s backyard). We’ll be there throughout the week bringing you thoughtful, up-to-the-moment coverage of Google’s future looks like, but until then, here’s what we expect (and hope) to see starting tomorrow morning.
Android N
Let’s start with an easy one. Google usually reveals a developer preview of the newest version of Android at I/O, but that’s, uh, clearly not what happened this year. Our first taste of Android N — complete with a tighter design and split-screen multitasking — came months ago. Expect to see Google’s first set of N tweaks get the spotlight during the tomorrow’s keynote. Are we in for a smattering of stability changes meant to make the preview a better daily driver? Or are we getting new features that expand the scope of Android’s ambitions? We won’t have to wait much longer to find out. And if we’re really lucky, we’ll get a sense of what the next batch of Nexus phones will be like too.
The future of Chrome OS
A solid chunk of Google-related chatter last year centered on the idea that Android was set to become the operating system for just about all of the company’s devices. Part of that plan, prognosticators argued, involved folding Google’s existing Chrome OS into Android proper. The Wall Street Journal reported that the final shift would take place sometime in 2017, with early previews expected to surface this year. Hell, at least a few people can apparently access the Google Play Store from inside Chrome OS already. And really, what better place is there for Google to clarify its software plans than Google I/O? Don’t expect Chromebooks or Chrome OS to die out anytime soon, though — if reports hold true, Chrome OS will go open-source for continued use on third-party devices.
Android Wear
The first Android Wear watches made their debut at I/O two years ago but, despite regular updates, the platform is starting to feel a little stagnant. Hopefully that changes this year — there’s a session on the books called “What’s new in Android Wear,” which gives us hope that we’ll finally get our hands (or wrists) on Android Wear 2.0. Alas, we haven’t heard a thing about Wear since Google showed off its curious Mode wristbands, so you’ll have to stay tuned for the show.
Android VR
Make no mistake: Android VR is going to make headlines at the show. Now, if only we knew what it was. Or, at the very least, how ambitious Google’s plans are. Reports that Android would itself become a sort of VR platform have been making the rounds for about a year. Still others suggested Google is working on a new, Cardboard-style VR headset that relies on phone screens rather than bulky, built-in ones.
Android VR will definitely be announced next week, and from what I’ve heard will be less powerful than the Vive or Rift.
— Peter Rojas (@peterrojas) May 11, 2016
There’s no telling what we’ll actually see at the show (headsets from partners, or maybe some kind of Magic Leap tie-in), but the potential upside for VR adoption is huge. While Samsung, LG and even Alcatel have made headsets for their own phones, a VR-friendly version of Android paired with cheap, Google-approved headgear could be a potent introduction to the potential of virtual worlds.
Project Tango
Lenovo is probably going to unveil the first consumer Project Tango phone at its own event in June, but that doesn’t mean Google’s space-sensing plans won’t get any attention at I/O. With a hardware launch still set for the summer, this is going to be developers’ big chance to get a feel for how Tango devices will work. (And, more importantly, how to optimize their apps for it.) We took some of those demo apps for a spin back at Mobile World Congress, and after just a few moments, one takeaway was clear — once the novelty wears off, masterful software execution is what will make or break Project Tango. Good thing there are four Project Tango developer sessions on this week’s schedule.
Rise of the bots
Over the last two years, the idea of talking to chatbots to get things done instead of using a purpose-built app went from idiotic fantasy to honest-to-goodness reality. A Wall Street Journal report from the end of last year suggested Google is working on a messaging app that — in addition to letting you talk to people — puts you in touch with chatbots that can deliver certain services or perform actions. Nothing in Google’s schedule suggests this will get much spotlight, but considering recent news about Google Brain’s ability to recognize proper syntax and piece together weird poetry, we wouldn’t be shocked to get a quick earful about this.
Not-so-surprise hardware
Google’s latest stab at a consumer gadget could be an Amazon Echo-like device code-named “Chirp,” according to Recode. While the report goes on to say it isn’t expected to launch at I/O this year, there’s at least a thematic argument that Google could unveil its work. After all, Google took the opportunity to lay out its early plans for Project Brillo — a lightweight software platform for the Internet of Things — at I/O 2015. It’s not hard to see how Chirp could fit into Google’s vision of the Internet of Things, and it’s about time for an update on Brillo’s progress anyway.
Beyond thrilled to share that Xiaomi will be a part of Google I/O. A sneak peek of what you’ll see from Mi at #io16 pic.twitter.com/GP3HHE3F6c
— Hugo Barra (@hbarra) May 17, 2016
Meanwhile, Xiaomi VP of International (and former Googler) Hugo Barra tweeted a teaser about the Chinese company’s involvement with I/O. The image shows the letters “i” and “o” made out of what appear to be media controls — if we had to guess, we’d say it looks like Xiaomi is taking a stab at its own Android TV console. Since most of those Android TV boxes also double as gaming machines, yet another teaser from earlier today adds even more fuel to the fire. Whether anyone actually bites is another story, but if nothing else, it’s a clear example of the sort of big partnerships we’ll see this year.
OnePlus 3’s official render could be a decoy
This morning, a render of the much anticipated OnePlus 3 flagship phone (pictured left) has been making the rounds on the internet. We can confirm that this “leak” is legit as our pals over at Engadget Chinese also got it directly from a source at OnePlus, who didn’t say anything other than that this is a “OnePlus 3 render.” But said source has clearly been seeding the same image to other Chinese media outlets as well, which is why we’re smelling a decoy here — a tactic often deployed by OnePlus’ sister company, Vivo, to stir up hype before a product launch. Leaving the HTC-like design aside, we have a hard time believing that OnePlus would remove laser autofocus and dual-tone flash from its next flagship device; but hey, at least NFC is back, as hinted by the T-shaped antenna band.
If the render has any remaining credibility, it seems that the front-side fingerprint reader, three-stage alert slider and USB Type-C port are here to stay. The StyleSwap back covers are gone, though we don’t doubt that OnePlus will continue to offer other types of cases.
We reached out to both CEO Pete Lau and Head Of Global Carl Pei regarding this render, but they both declined to comment. So far, the only official detail about the OnePlus 3 is the June launch window which Pei confirmed to CNET back at MWC. According to some benchmark and certification listings from last month, the metallic device is expected to come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 chipset, up to 6GB of RAM, Oppo’s VOOC rapid-charging tech and Android 6.0.1. Evan Blass, formerly known as @evleaks, added that it’ll feature an AMOLED screen and a 3,000 mAh battery.
Here’s hoping OnePlus has saved us some genuine surprises for the launch in a few weeks’ time; it’d be quite a shocker if the actual device looks rather different.
Via: Engadget Chinese
‘Pokemon Go’ field test signups are now live
Pokemon Go, the mobile app that allows users to travel the globe on their own Pokemon journey, is finally open for registration for United States users. Niantic Labs’ field test is available to sign up for right now, with users being chosen to try out the upcoming game later on.
Like Niantic Labs’ alternate reality app Ingress that takes place in the real world, players are encouraged to get out of the house and go outdoors to catch various Pokemon, engage in battle with other trainers and complete special challenges.
If chosen for the field test, which requires either an iOS or Android device, users will be required to keep their experiences with the game confidential, with progress removed before the full game actually makes its debut later this year. According to Niantic, game data will actually be completely removed multiple times during the test, so if you plan on participating and are chosen, it’s prudent to bear this in mind.
The app was previously available for Japanese users to test out, and while there’s currently no concrete release date for the full version of the game out there at the moment there’s still plenty of footage to find online from testers if you’re curious about how the app actually works. For now, you can sign up for the chance to be one of the early adopters with their own real-life Pokemon journey.
Source: Polygon
Google Spaces helps you share things with small groups
Apparently, Google+ refocusing on communities just wasn’t enough. Google has introduced Spaces, an app for Android, iOS and the web that’s designed solely for sharing experiences in small groups. All you have to do is start a topic, invite a few people (no, they don’t need Google+) and you’re off to the races — there’s a conversational view that makes sure you see whatever’s going on. Chrome, search and YouTube are built-in, so you don’t have to hop between apps to find a relevant story or video.
The app isn’t live as we write this (it arrives later on the 16th), so it’s hard to say how well it’ll work in practice. However, it’s clear that the folks in Mountain View believe that Google+ communities can only accomplish so much. They tend to revolve around larger groups, and it’s easy for someone’s thoughts to get lost in a sea of posts. Spaces is the antithesis of that: it’s for book clubs, developer meet-ups and any other close-knit community where every person’s input is valuable.
Source: Google Official Blog
Google Play makes it easier to test Android apps
It’s not too hard to beta test an Android app, but the process still tends to involve jumping through a few hoops. You might need to visit the developer’s website, for instance, or join a community. Thankfully, it’s about to get downright trivial in the near future: Google is rolling out a Play Store update that lets you join (or leave) Android betas right from the regular app’s listing. Certain tests may ask you to sign up for a Google+ community first, but you won’t have to go scrounging for a beta-specific app entry or download an installer from a website.
The updated store will also let you know when you’re using a beta-only app (that is, there has never been a finished release). And you’re not writing regular reviews anymore — instead, you’re leaving private feedback for the developer. It’ll sadly take some time for the Google Play update to automatically reach your device, but Android Police is offering an install file if you just can’t wait to experiment with unfinished code.
Source: APKMirror, Android Police
John McAfee claims to have cracked secure WhatsApp messages
John McAfee is already many things — entrepreneur, presidential hopeful, alleged criminal. However, you might have to add one more item to that list: the co-discoverer of a potentially major Android security flaw. He and a team in Colorado claim to have found a hole in Google’s mobile platform that lets them read encrypted WhatsApp messages (and those from other services, for that matter), rendering its privacy safeguards pointless. McAfee is saying precious little about how the intrusion works, but he gave Cybersecurity Ventures enough details to suggest that the story might hold up.
LIFARS, which conducted forensics, notes that the trick didn’t involve getting root access to the phone, and that there were hints of both keyboard recording and spyware vulnerabilities. This could target an everyday Android phone, then, not just one that’s already compromised.
McAfee says he’s sharing the flaw after talking to Google. We’ve asked Google itself if it can shed more light on the claims and outline its plans for a fix (assuming one is needed). If his team really did find a way around encryption, though, this could represent a serious problem. Simply speaking, you couldn’t guarantee that a chat was private unless you knew that everyone was running a safe operating system.
Source: Cybersecurity Ventures
AIVAnet 