Instapaper update for iOS lets you send media to your Kindle and TV
Instapaper’s already broad device support has just grown a little bit broader. The service’s updated iOS app lets you send articles to Kindle for reading on one of Amazon’s devices, and you can push videos to your big-screen TV through AirPlay. Even if you’re happy with catching up from your iPad or iPhone, you may also like a new option to auto-renew your Instapaper subscription. It’s not the most life-changing Instapaper update we’ve seen. Stay tuned, though — the developers promise that their next release will be the biggest since Betaworks acquired the app last year.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile
Via: The Next Web
Source: App Store, Instapaper Blog
Dish Explorer for iPad can now recommend shows and turn on your TV
If you own one of Dish’s Hopper DVRs and have ever been stumped as to what to watch next, you’ll want to grab the latest version of Dish Explorer for the iPad. The new app now recommends shows based on your viewing habits; watch a lot of crime dramas and Dish may suggest the others you’ve missed. The update also introduces direct control over the TV’s power and volume, so you won’t have to go hunting for that lost remote. Head to the App Store for an upgrade if either new Explorer feature sounds appealing.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD
Via: Dish
Source: App Store
Your smartphone’s WiFi hotspot might double as a disaster rescue beacon
When disasters strike, communication services tend to go down; you can’t simply call for help or share your location online. However, engineers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology have found a way to use a smartphone as a rescue beacon when there aren’t any available networks. The researchers have written a victim app that inserts an SOS alert into the name of the phone’s WiFi hotspot. Emergency crews just have to use a companion app to find you up to 330 feet away. It’s a simple trick, to be sure. The big challenge is getting people to use the software in the first place — the team would like its code built into your phone’s interface, but they might have to find a way to distribute their apps in the field. If Fraunhofer’s staff succeed in making the tools commonplace, though, you may soon find a ready-made distress signal in your pocket.
[Image credit: United Nations Photo, Flickr]
Filed under: Cellphones, Networking, Mobile
Via: Gizmodo
Source: New Scientist
Plex update adds Chromecast support for audio streaming and content mirroring
Despite offering limited compatibility support for audio streaming, Chromecast has been a hit amongst Android users, and now Plex has just announced an update to its media player system that enhances Chromecast support.
Users of the Plex Android App are now able to play music and push photos via the Chromecast to your TV. In fact, anything in your Plex library can be pushed over to the Chromecast, and even audio transcoding is supported.
Plex has also been updated for content mirroring so when you’re browsing your library on your device, extra information is pushed to the Chromecast.
Not only this, but Plex also promises better streaming of media to the Chromecast. It promises to stream 1080p content without the need for transcoding, which means your streamed media now looks better than ever.
You’ll need the latest version of the Plex App, and also obviously a Chromecast, and you’ll be good to go. Let us know what you think of the update and added support in the comments section below.
[Via Plex]
The post Plex update adds Chromecast support for audio streaming and content mirroring appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google finally releases Now Launcher to the Play store, for Nexus and Play Edition devices
Most of us assumed it was only a matter of time before Google released the Now launcher that debuted on the Nexus 5 to the Play store. Now that day has come… provided you’re the owner of a Nexus or Play Edition handset that runs KitKat. The new homescreen is the one you’ve already come to know and love on the newest Nexus phone, complete with the ability to say “Ok Google” from any home screen to automatically launch Now’s voice command functions. Breaking the launcher out from the core Android code also means it’ll be easier for Google to update and add features to it going forward, without having to release an entirely new version of the OS. Now the next step will be getting the launcher on more phones, even if it still requires you to have KitKat. Though, as the internet giant successfully breaks its own apps and services away from the Android core, the Nexus program becomes less and less important.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google
Via: Droid Life
Square’s Pickup app streamlines ordering take-out in San Francisco
If you thought ordering a new shirt from Uniqlo and grabbing it from the store 20 minutes later was rad, Square has something similar cooked up for your favorite restaurants. The outfit is demoing a new Android and iOS application called Pickup at a handful of San Francisco eateries, according to Priceonomics. With the app, Square is streamlining the food ordering process to a few taps on your smartphone: you choose an item from the menu, pay for it and then, well, pick it up. Given Square’s popularity with small businesses (especially with competition from GoPago, GrubHub and OrderAhead), hopefully it isn’t long before the outfit releases Pickup outside of NorCal.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Source: Priceonomics, Square Pickup
LINE messenger isn’t selling to anyone, instead it’s going to let you sell your own stickers
Rumors of yet another messaging app being sold pinned Naver’s LINE app to Japanese phone carrier, SoftBank. The app maker denied the claim yesterday, and today (instead) announced that it’s adding several new features, including LINE Creator Market, set to launch (at least in Japan) this April. Creator will allow artistic types to sell their own sticker creations on a dedicated market — and split the earnings 50:50. LINE’s messaging app has avoided ads, instead offering corporate accounts and paid-for sticker sets. The host site isn’t live just yet, but we’ll keep you updated when we hear more.
[Image credit: Satoru Masuda, TechCrunch JP]
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Spotify revamp for Windows Phone will bring radio and a brand new look
Spotify’s Windows Phone app has typically lagged its Android and iOS counterparts, but it’s about to catch up in a big, big way. The streaming music provider has revealed a makeover of the app that will roll in the discovery, playlist browsing and radio features that we’ve seen elsewhere. It will also have a fresh interface that’s in sync with Spotify’s more recent apps while remaining true to the style of Microsoft’s smartphone OS. Premium subscribers will be the first to get the Windows Phone update when it arrives this spring, but Spotify has promised that its free mobile listening option will be coming to the platform later on.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile
Source: Spotify
Daily Roundup: Mt. Gox goes offline, OS X update, Disney’s new app and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Twitch arriving on Xbox by March 11th
The second half of Microsoft’s big Xbox One update is expected just ahead of Titanfall’s March 11th release. Aside from being able to broadcast your gameplay via Twitch.tv, Xbox owners will exclusively be able to archive streams right from the console.
Bitcoin exchange goes offline
We knew things were shaky at Mt. Gox after it halted Bitcoin withdrawals on February 7th, though it seems matters are getting even worse. Earlier this morning, the exchange’s website and Twitter footprint vanished, leaving its customers to speculate about bankruptcy or pending acquisition.
OS X update fixes security hole
Apple recently mended an iOS web networking security hole, and now it’s bringing that same fix to OS X, along with a few new FaceTime features. But if you aren’t running Mavericks, don’t worry — specially tailored updates are in the works.
Disney’s new iOS app
Disney’s new iOS app, Movies Anywhere, has the makings of a wonderful road trip companion. Users can stream their Disney content from iTunes, as well as purchase and play over 400 Disney movies within the app.
Filed under: Misc
FCC Speed Test app for iOS lets the government track your iPhone’s network performance
Downloading an app from the federal government might not top your list of priorities at the moment, but if you’re looking to tick that public service box without a need to worry about measly pay, background checks and furloughs, the FCC could sure use your help. That org’s latest venture, the FCC Speed Test app for iOS, delivers yet another connectivity benchmark tool to iPhone and iPad users. This free download also benefits the government’s Measuring Broadband America program, however, enabling the FCC to build out a public database of network performance across the country. Unlike its Android counterpart, this iOS app doesn’t test performance in the background, so you’ll need to fire it up to see how well your cellular or WiFi connection is doing. It’s available from the App Store today.
Source: FCC
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