Get exclusive access to the new eBay v4.0 Beta app
If you’re a big user of the Android eBay app then you’ll probably be interested in their latest version 4.0. The catch is that it’s currently in a closed Beta.
Not the normal Beta that allows testers via the Play Store; nope, this one requires you to fill out a form and have your account specifically activated to access the eBay Beta app. Not even sideloading the APK works as it asks you to login and will kick you out without an authorised account. Not sure what the deal with the secrecy is here, but clearly eBay are taking a different direction with their Beta program.
Want to get in on the closed Beta for version 4.0 of eBay? Fill out the form here.
What’s new in version 4.0? Guess you’ll have to sign up and find out!
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LastPass introduces new pricing model that offers free option on smartphones
Password management app LastPass is receiving an update to their subscription model which could result in users being able to use the service for free if they are willing to limit themselves to one type of device. If they decide they want to expand to include other devices, an upgrade option to premium is then available. LastPass says the move was prompted by a desire to make LastPass “accessible for all users, including mobile-only users who need help managing their passwords and apps.”
The new system works based on the device that you get started on. For example, if you set up a new account using your smartphone, then LastPass can sync across all smartphones that you may use. Similarly, users can get started with a tablet or from the desktop. Since most users probably only have a single smartphone, the ability to sync across similar devices may not be too helpful, but the new model does mean that a user could stay on the free tier if they limit their use to just their smartphone.
If a user decides they want the cross-device support that comes with Premium, they can either go and subscribe for $12 per year or activate a 14-day free trial.
If you want to give LastPass a try on your Android smartphone or tablet, use the Google Play Store link below.
source: LastPass
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DIRECTV app gets UI refresh, ESPN streaming, other features in latest update
Fresh off their acquisition by AT&T, the DIRECTV app for Android has received an update that brings some handy new features along with a slightly refreshed user interface. DIRECTV has made some changes that make it easier to use all of your devices – smartphones and tablets – along with the DIRECTV receivers to start, stop and resume programs on different devices.
DIRECTV says the new homescreen should make it easier for users to find and watch or even record shows. A quick peek at the screenshots show some prominent access to options to watch a show on your smartphone or tablet, although your device can also serve as a remote control.
One new feature that will be welcomed by sports fan is direct access to ESPN Live which can be streamed to any receiver or device. In the past, accessing ESPN Live meant having to fire up the separate WatchESPN app, so having access while within the DIRECTV app will cut down on the app switching requirements.
Although cable and satellite companies have been advertising the ability to “switch” screens easily, the reality has not always been so smooth. DIRECTV says they have made improvements so it will be easier for users to start a show on their device and switch it to their receiver hooked up to a big screen or vice versa. This is true not just for regular shows, but also for On Demand content now. DIRECTV also added a restart button so users can launch a show from the beginning in case they start watching it late.
You can grab the new DIRECTV app if you are a subscriber from the Google Play Store using the link below.
Come comment on this article: DIRECTV app gets UI refresh, ESPN streaming, other features in latest update
Explore Ancient Egypt with Pharoah Jump (App Review)
Are you the type of gamer who is looking for a game that kills time? Pharoah Jump was designed for you, but there are some serious drawbacks to this app.
As I grow older, I realize that I am not as good at games as I once was in my college days. I’m not old by any means (35), but for gamers I might as well be dead. I don’t play console games anymore, and I definitely do not play PC games as those are way too advanced for me. All of my gaming is done on my Android devices. So given my epic gaming past, I still love games, but only the games where kids can’t tell me I suck and shouldn’t be playing. I am a true gamer at heart, although I am past my prime.
Overview:
Pharoah Jump is exactly what you would expect from the title. It is an Egyptian based game, where you(the Pharaoh) jump up, bounce off objects while collecting coins. If you have played Doodle Jump, you know what kind of game this is. The graphics are great. You get to see the great Pyramids, Pharaohs, and other monuments. In addition, the game does live up to its name of “jumping” upwards while avoiding enemies and collecting coins. So all in all, there isn’t much to this game and it was designed to be the game for quick entertainment. Not much effort is needed when learning how to play this game.
Setup:
Download Pharaoh Jump from the Play Store and hit start. There are no tutorials to learn from, and you only tap the screen to generate a red laser that shoots down from the sky. I never learned its purpose. You control the jumping Pharaoh by tilting your device to the left and right.
Who will enjoy Pharaoh Jump?
Anyone who likes quality graphics and doesn’t mind being bombarded with ads.
What we liked:
- Graphics
What could be better
- Too many ads
- In-app purchases to open second and third levels
Pharaoh Jump Summary:
As much as I wanted to play this game, I was disappointed at how much the developer, Immanitas Entertainment, put forth in getting you to click on an advertisement or to buy in-app upgrades to free up different levels.
To open up the second map, you would need to purchase 10k gems. Sadly there is not an option to buy 10k gems. You have to buy 35k gems which costs $4.52. I don’t know why the developer would think their app was so great that they could charge money while Doodle Jump is free.
If the in-app purchases don’t get you, the ads will. You get ads as soon as you open the app. Once you close the ad, you can then play the game. As soon as you fall and lose, another ad pops up. I spent the first few times learning how to play the game while getting annoyed at the amount of ads I was getting bombarded with. This type of game can be fun, but the ads and in-app purchases just kill the game for me. If Immanitas Entertainment wants to improve this app, they really need to focus on the user versus their wallet.
The post Explore Ancient Egypt with Pharoah Jump (App Review) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Looking for something new to spice up your home screen? Check out Zoopreme Widgets by Erik Blue
Spicing up your homescreen to your liking has always been one of Androids selling points. The sky, along with your imagination, is always the limit when it comes to decorating your Android device. Thankfully, we have plenty of talented and artistic developers out there that create beautiful widgets and skins for our devices. A new Zooper Widget theme that I recently stumbled upon certainly has that creative style that I think you all can appreciate. The app is called Zoopreme and is available on the Google Play Store for $1.00. If you’re already familiar with Zooper Widget Pro, then this will be very easy to apply.
As you can see by the various screenshots, Zoopreme adds color and style to your homescreen. Of course, a nifty wallpaper and custom icons are needed to completely these looks. You may even be able to find a lot of these wallpapers on the developers (Erik Blue’s) Google Plus page that I will link right here.
If you guys decide to nab this app, let me know what you think! Do you guys have any favorite Zooper Widget themes that you use? If so, let me know in the comments section! Links and a QR code will be available below.
Come comment on this article: Looking for something new to spice up your home screen? Check out Zoopreme Widgets by Erik Blue
VoxWeb brings speaking pictures to Android
VoxWeb is bringing their Orange Line to the Android platform with the release of their app to Google Play. VoxWeb is an app that let’s users attach an 11 second audio clip to any image. The idea of the audio clip is to take the place of whatever caption a user might type out. This can result in a more intimate peek into the picture taker’s thoughts about an image or it can capture the sounds of the atmosphere of whatever is being captured. VoxWeb helps users identify images that have an audio component attached by underlining them with an orange line.
Besides the ability to attach audio to images using the VoxWeb app, users can also access the VoxWeb social platform called “Life.” Users can browse what is being posted by other VoxWeb users, keeping an eye out for the orange lines. Users can also send their speaking pictures directly to other users they are friends with who also use the VoxWeb app.
VoxWeb is currently rolling out globally, although that process is expected to take 6-8 weeks. You can check out VoxWeb in the Google Play Store using one of the download links below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
source: VoxWeb (PR)
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Office Mobile apps are now available for Windows 10 tablets
Have you already installed Windows 10 on your trusty slate? Well, Microsoft released its mobile productivity apps for the new shiny new version of the OS, too. Touch-friendly versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint are available for download from the Windows Store. The new version of OneNote is available as well, but it’s pre-installed on Windows 10. On top of those gesture-friendly interfaces, the apps play nice with OneDrive for easy cloud-based storage and save changes automatically so you don’t have to worry about losing any work. Of course, if you want the productivity suite on all of your desktop and mobile devices (especially when Office 2016 arrives in September), you’ll need to splurge for an Office 365 subscription.
Filed under: Software, Microsoft
Via: Mashable
Source: Microsoft
Motorola Moto app gets update to adjust to your location
One of the ways that Motorola has tried to entice buyers for their smartphones is by providing them with unique capabilities relative to the standard device. This is accomplished through a variety of apps that operate on top of, yet separate from, the Android operating system. One of those apps, Moto, got an update today that adjusts the phone based on your location.
The new version of Moto will learn places you visit like home, work or even a movie theater. Users can then set the phone to automatically silence itself or switch to vibrate while you are at that location.
Moto does require a compatible Motorola phone. You can check for the list of compatible devices by visiting the Play Store using one of the links below.
Come comment on this article: Motorola Moto app gets update to adjust to your location
Twitter’s Windows 10 app shows you top tweets right from the start
You’re going to see a lot of apps rushing to take advantage of Windows 10 post-launch, but one of them will be particularly important if you’re a social networking maven. Twitter has released a new app for Windows 10 right alongside Microsoft’s shiny new platform, and the client is big on discovering content even if you aren’t signed in — you’ll see the top tweets and media in the app itself, as well as on the Live Tile. This certainly isn’t the most sophisticated app (it won’t replace TweetDeck any time soon), but it does offer a lot of the in-line media playback you’d expect in 2015, such as multiple photos, Vine videos and GIF animations. Really, it’s for that moment you decide that Twitter’s website isn’t quite enough for your needs.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Microsoft
Source: Twitter Blog
Yahoo’s Livetext is a messaging app for the Snapchat generation
Yahoo’s Livetext video-messaging app popped up in Hong Kong’s iTunes store a few days ago, and now it’s rolling out to more locales. The app is the company’s effort to provide software similar to its popular Messenger app that’s appropriate for how people are chatting these days. This means offering a an option that’s similar to Snapchat and the like, but with a focus on one-on-one conversations. With Livetext, you can let the person (no group chats yet) you’re chatting with via text get a look at where you are and what you’re doing. While the app does provide a video stream, it doesn’t include sound. Why? The folks at Yahoo found that enabling sound caused folks to think twice about answering a message and instead wanted to offer “a way to connect that’s quick and non-intrusive.” It might keep you out of trouble in the office, but we’d surmise most folks would prefer it offer at least the option of some audio.
Basically, you can get a look at the person you’re texting with during the convo. Oh yeah, it also doesn’t support links or other media like photos, either. The company really wants users to focus on the texting and video for quick chats rather than on-going convos. In fact, the thread disappears when a session ends, but Yahoo says this isn’t a Snapchat competitor per se, due to its focus on texting. It’s also the first effort from the folks behind MessageMe chat software that Yahoo nabbed last year. The app will go live for Android and iOS in the US, UK, Canada, Germany and France tomorrow and, as previously mentioned, it’s already available in Hong Kong, Ireland and Taiwan.
Source: Yahoo
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