New Android ‘People API’ seeks to make managing contact data a snap for devs
This week on their official blog, Android developers announced the introduction of the People API, which will seek to replace the current Contacts API. This new system, which drops the GData protocol in favor of some new ones that should make it easier for users to grant and restrict access to their personal information on an individual or categorical basis.
See also: Android N doing away with Oracle’s Java APIs, OpenJDK to be the new standard
Laurence Moroney, Developer Advocate for Android, sums it up like this:
For example, if your user has contacts in her private contact list, a call to the API (if she provides consent to do so) will retrieve a list containing the contacts merged with any linked profiles. If the user grants the relevant scopes, the results are returned as a people.connections.list object. Each person object in this list will have a resourceName property, which can be used to get additional data about that person with a call to people.get.
This basically streamlines the gathering of contact data, trimming the previous method that required tapping two different APIs, Google+ and Contacts. People API also exposes new data that apps weren’t able to access before, such as phone numbers, e-mail addresses, physical addresses, and even birthdays. The user, of course, will have to have given permission for this information to be accessed.
Google hopes that Android developers will be eager to take advantage of the new capabilities this API offers and be inspired to come up with new and creative uses for it. If you’d like to read more about this new release, check out the blog post here. In the meantime, what are your thoughts regarding this new API? A long-awaited boon to the dev community, or just business as usual? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Next: Top Android performance problems faced by app developers
Microsoft apps now come with Android devices from 74 companies
If finding Microsoft apps on the Galaxy S6 caught you off-guard, you’re in for a real surprise this year. Microsoft has announced that its apps are now bundled with current and future Android devices from 74 companies, including newcomer Acer as well as ASUS, LG, Samsung and Sony. That’s a healthy boost from 31 vendors last year. There are bound to be gaps in coverage, but the odds are now fairly high that you’ll find the Office suite, OneDrive, Skype and other Redmond-made tools on your brand new smartphone or tablet.
As is usually the case, though, this isn’t coming out of sheer eagerness to embrace Microsoft’s vision. The Windows maker notes that “IP alignment” is a key factor here — to put it another way, these companies are bundling Microsoft apps in part to avoid patent disputes over their use of Android. They do stand to profit from the deal, but it’s clear that Microsoft is using its leverage to get its apps and services on as many gadgets as possible.
Chrome on Android communicates with smart devices around you
Folks running Chrome on iOS have had a chance to tap into the Physical Web devices around them since last July, but Google’s finally opened that functionality up to its own ecosystem. To that end, Chrome 49 on Android will support the objects (like parking meters, for instance). The first time you encounter one there will be a push notification alerting you one is nearby, and future run-ins will populate a list of the gadgets nearby. It’s starting in the beta channel, a post on the Chromium Blog notes, with wider support rolling out soon. In case you’re curious of how it all looks in action, the GIF below should give you a good idea.
Mountain View says that some 1,500 of these beacons were in place during CES this year as well, helping folks around the various exhibits on the floor. Fingers crossed that next year they’ll identify the closest hand sanitizer station too.
Source: Chromium Blog
Vine for Android updated in the Play Store with two great new features
Vine took delivery of a pretty nifty little update earlier today in the Play Store. As far as added functionality goes, this upgrade brings not one, but two much-requested features to the application, as well as a multitude of bug fixes, stability improvements and speed optimizations.
The first new facility the update transports is the ability to sort Vines in a layout that takes your fancy. Whilst browsing your favorite viner’s profile, you’ll have the option to view their 10-second videos in order of either Newest, Oldest or Popular.
The upgrade also bundles the resources for you to edit your Vine’s caption but only for a short period of time after you share it. This is rather useful if on the odd occasion you publish a post, and make a mistake while doing so, as you can go right back in and correct it.
To install the update on your smartphone or tablet, open up the Play Store, toggle the hamburger menu by swiping in from the left-hand side of your display, select ‘My Apps’, click on ’Vine’, then tap the ‘Update’ button.
Source: Vine
Come comment on this article: Vine for Android updated in the Play Store with two great new features
75 HD wallpapers from your favorite video games
Many of you are video game enthusiasts and we have collected 75 HD and QHD wallpapers from your favorite video games, from Call of Duty to Super Mario Brothers we have you covered.
We’ve changed things up lately and will be sharing the entire collection through Google Photos rather than hosting them on our servers. There are thousands of you who love these wallpapers and rather than drain the speed on our server, we’re offloading that responsibility to Google. All you have to do is join the collection through this link and you’re free to download all of the wallpapers to your device.
We would also love it if you tweeted screenshots of your home screens to us at Twitter.com (@AndroidGuys). We might feature your background in an upcoming wallpapers collection!
See the entire collection by clicking on this LINK to Google Photos.
Here some of our favorites from the collection.
The post 75 HD wallpapers from your favorite video games appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Make massive mechanizations with Minecraft’s Overworld update
Following on from last fall’s update to Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition beta and Minecraft: Pocket Edition, which saw the introduction of basic redstone components, Microsoft today announced that the game’s next update will deliver even more advanced mechanisms as well as new enemies and achievements. Players will also be able to more easily share their favorite worlds with a new map import/export function.
The Overworld update, scheduled to drop at the end of February, will include a host of new components including, “comparators, repeaters, dispensers, droppers, hoppers, trapped chests and various additional Minecart types” according to an Xbox Wire post. The update will also bring witches to the two platforms as well as their cauldrons which not only contain randomly generated potions but which can also be used to dye your armor. What’s more, players will be able to show off their most prized possessions — whether it’s loot or a fully-explored map — thanks to the addition of Item Frames.
And for those looking for even more gamer glory, the Windows 10 Edition now offers eight additional achievements for completing various in-game tasks. The Windows 10 version is only available from the Windows Store, though you can pick up the Pocket Edition for iOS, Android, Kindle or Windows Phone from their prospective stores.
Source: Xbox Wire
‘Final Fantasy IX’ is now on iOS and Android
You could argue that Final Fantasy IX is the long-running series’ high point. It’s certainly the highest-rated Final Fantasy game on Metacritic, even if its sales and nostalgic value pale in comparison to Final Fantasy VII. Putting that argument aside for a moment, it’s easy to say that it’s definitely a game worth playing if you like JRPGs. And now — less than two months after it was announced — it’s available on iOS and Android. The bar for entry has never been lower.
The mobile port includes “high-definition movies and character models,” autosave, achievements and a collection of “game boosters” that let you essentially cheat your way through the game. You can speed up time, cut out random encounters or hit every enemy for 9,999 damage. The idea of the boosters is to make the game, which in its original incarnation involved well over a full day’s worth of grinding, more playable for casual gamers.
If grinding on a phone or tablet isn’t your thing — or you don’t have a phone with the necessary 8GB of free space to install it — Final Fantasy IX will also be coming to Steam in “Early 2016,” together with the enhancements mentioned above and some Steam trading cards.
Via: Kotaku
Source: Square Enix (Google Play), (App Store)
What NOT to do with your Android device
We read a lot about what we should do with our Android devices to get the most out of them. From increasing battery life to managing our data better, there’s no shortage of solid advice around to make our favorite smartphones and tablets faster, more efficient, and more us. What we don’t see very often is directions on what not to do with Android devices. After all, newbies to the operating system often make a slew of mistakes thinking they’re making improvements.
About a month ago now, Reddit user 19683dw pointed out the fact that there aren’t really many guides out there that attempt to tackle this issue. He and fellow redditors put together a great list of points, and it inspired us to run with his idea and dig a bit deeper. Not every point made in the Reddit thread is mentioned here, and we also added several different points of our own, but we do recommend checking out the original post and wanted to give a big thanks to 19683dw for putting this idea on our radar.
Without further ado, let’s jump right in, shall we?
Install apps with unnecessary permissions
Why does that flashlight app need to know your GPS location? Actually, why are you even using a flashlight app since Lollipop has built-in functionality for it? Never mind. Look, whenever you download an app, make sure you’re only giving it permission to do things that make sense for the app. Some shady developers like to take advantage of unnecessary app permissions to harvest sellable data about its users. If you’re looking for a basic doodling app and it has 15 permissions it wants to use, you might want to find yourself an alternative digital canvas.
(Oh, and if you are stuck on a version of Android pre-Lollipop, Tesla LED is a good, simple flashlight app.)
Use a task killer
Task killers were useful for about four days back in 2009 before the Android operating system got good enough at managing its own memory to render them irrelevant. Most apps spring back to life anyway if you deliberately kill them, so you’re really just wasting battery power in addition to precious seconds of your finite life-span on Planet Earth.
If your phone is acting sluggish, check out which apps are hogging your resources and uninstall them. Find more efficient alternatives.
See also: Improve battery life with Xposed, Amplify and Greenify – Android customization
Greenify is an alternative to task-killers that actually works (it “hibernates” apps rather than kill them) but you really have to have a rooted device for it to be worth it. For most users, the answer is not to kill rebellious apps, but rather to drive them off their devices for good, never to return again.
Install battery saving apps
Most battery saving apps do more harm than good. There are some good ones out there, of course. Once again, Greenify comes to mind. However, battery-saving apps themselves cost battery to run. It’s hard to find those whose positive impact is larger than their own battery footprint. This is especially bad if you’re using multiple battery saving apps. Stop that.
See also: How to extend your Android’s battery life
Okay, okay. It is technically possible to make good use of a combination of good battery savers. A lot of Lollipop buffs recommend a Power Nap, Greenify, Amplify combo, but you have to have root access to really make the best of these power-frugal hacks.
Get Power Nap
Get Greenify
Get Amplify
For most users, the best way to maximize battery life is to dim your screen and turn off any functions (like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Location) that you aren’t actively using. You can also identify and uninstall battery-hogging apps, like Facebook. Which reminds me of another thing you should never do:
Use the official Facebook app
Facebook. You will never find a more wretched hive of bugs and drainery. The official Facebook app is renowned for being a legendary resource hog. To get the most out of your Android device, try replacing it with something like Folio. The mobile browser version of Facebook is pretty good anyway, so how much do you really need that app?
Plus, maybe it’s best to put a few extra taps between you and obsessively checking your ex’s page. Seriously, it becomes stalking at some point, and you really just need to move on and stop torturing yourself.
Get Folio
See also: There is life after Facebook: these are the best Facebook app alternatives
Expect an Apple-like experience
This is crucial advice to people coming into Android from iOS. On Apple products, “everything just works” is the design goal. Android is a completely different ballgame that focuses on making your device your device.
To make the smoothest transition possible, we recommend former iPhone users pick up something from the Nexus line, which is produced by Google. Buying Nexus ensures the most streamlined, Apple-esque experience, especially when you’re using Google apps. You’ll also have all the Android versatility at your fingertips to test the waters of tinkering, customizability, and personalization.
Bottom-line, don’t expect the exact same type of experience, as there will certainly be some adjustment needed. That said, you won’t regret making the switch in the long run.
See also: Why I switched to the iPhone…. (and back again)
Buy Play Store credit to pay for a new phone
Never ever throw hundreds of dollars into Google Play gift cards with the plan to buy a new phone. You might be surprised how often people will pay for $500 of Play Store credit only to learn afterward that they can’t use it to buy a Nexus. Google won’t accept Play credit for devices, so these poor folks are stuck with a hell of a lot of microtransactions to make. At least their Clash of Clans base will be super tricked out soon.
Why won’t Google just take the money? I mean, you want to give it to them, right? They basically already have it! Well, the reason is probably due to the fact that they pay commissions to gift card vendors. This percentage is no problem for apps and such because they can collect a 30% transaction fee, but for more devices, Google would most likely lose a fair chunk of money.
Leave tab merging on for Chrome
I imagine the Chrome design meeting had to go something like this.
KYLE: Guys, I have this totally awesome idea.
TEAM LEAD: What is it, Kyle?
KYLE: Okay, you know how Chrome keeps all of its tabs in one place so you can quickly access your previous browsing locations?
TEAM LEAD: Of course.
KYLE: Right. And you know how we now have that new gigantic stack of cards in the Recent Apps function?
TEAM LEAD: Yes?
KYLE: Okay… What if, instead of putting all of our users’ tabs in one place… we scatter them all throughout the Recent Apps cards!
TEAM LEAD: Kyle… That has to be… The most brilliant idea anyone has ever had. We’ll make it the new default setting. A raise for Kyle!
Screw Kyle. Kyle can go die in a fire. Boot up Chrome, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, choose Settings, and turn off “Merge tabs and apps.” Return sanity to your internet browsing.
Buy a carrier-branded phone
Maybe saying “never” to do this is a bridge too far, but in most cases, for most people, there are better options. Not only do carriers have a bad habit of loading up their phones with bloatware, they also are notoriously slow at rolling out updates. Buying an unlocked phone at full price may hurt in the short-run, but you’ll actually own your device and you’ll be able to do what you want with it.
This particular issue varies from region to region and from what the user is looking to get out of the device. Some people genuinely don’t care very much about having the latest version of Android, and they actually use that pre-installed, un-installable NFL app on a regular basis. The true advice here is to look before you leap. Know what you’re getting into when you get in bed with a carrier, because although those subsidized phones are tempting, it might not be worth it in the long run.
Root by the seat of your pants
Rooting is playing with fire, which is super cool if you’re like a pyromancer or the Human Torch or something, but for the majority of the population, it’s something best left to the pros. Don’t go into rooting your device unless you’ve extensively read the documentation and you are well aware of the risks and rewards. Practice rooting on an old device you’ve got lying around or on a cheap one first before you start unlocking the bootloader on your $700 flagship smartphone.
See also: Rooting your phone? A few things to think about – Android customization
This is another look before you leap issue. A misstep in rooting isn’t like a misstep in cooking, where you can make a mistake or two and then say “Screw it, I’m turning this into a stir fry.” Bricking your phone is very possible, and in some cases startlingly easy. Have an experienced friend walk you through your root process at the very, very least.
Of course, there are plenty of rewards to rooting, just be certain you know what you’re getting into.
Conclusion
These are all the Don’ts we can think of when it comes to using Android devices. Anything you can think of that we left out, or do you have anything to add to any of these points? If so, let us know your tips in the comments!
BitTorrent comes to Apple TV through a live news app
BitTorrent just came to the new Apple TV… though not in the way you might have expected. OnAir Live Developers has released OTT News, an app for Apple TV (Android and iOS too) that uses BitTorrent Live’s peer-to-peer streaming to cover the US election both in real-time and through pre-recorded clips. It’s not as lavishly produced as the coverage from big TV networks, but that’s part of the point — the technology lets a small outfit stream to your devices without expensive servers and bandwidth. It opens the door to live living room video from more than just the usual suspects.
The catch? You might not get to tune in right away. The Apple TV and iOS apps are invitation-only at the moment, so there’s no guarantee of access before the next primary. However, patience might be a virtue if you want as-it-happens political news without turning to conventional media outlets.
Via: Variety
Source: App Store, BitTorrent Blog, Google Play
StreetView VR brings Google Street View with Wikipedia overlays to the Gear VR
By far one of the coolest and most useful features of the modern age is Google Street View. It has taken mapping to the next level and nothing else comes close. However, StreetView VR plans to take things to an even higher level of amazing.
Google Street View can already be viewed in VR using the Google Cardboard, which is really cool, but not super useful. StreetView VR for the Samsung Gear VR and PC takes the normal Google Street View experience, but overlaps it with Wikipedia integration.
All of this is in VR remember, which makes it much more realistic than just seeing a flat image on a screen. However, since it is using the basic Google Street View as its source, the images technically aren’t in 3D, but still give a 360-degree view.
What makes it really cool is you can stay in the Gear VR and browse anywhere in the world while seeing it all in 360-degrees. Plus, the added bonus of actual information about landmarks around the world. You do all this by activating voice commands to say the location you want to travel to next. If a location is too difficult to pronounce or voice control just isn’t working right, you can always use the on-screen keyboard too.
What I find really cool is you can “travel with others” by sharing things with your friends or leading a group. You can even speak to other people with voice chat and more. This is definitely something you are going to want to try out for yourself if you own a Gear VR.
Source: StreetviewVR
Come comment on this article: StreetView VR brings Google Street View with Wikipedia overlays to the Gear VR
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