Meerkat looks to Android for a chance at beating Periscope
Can an Android launch save Meerkat? SXSW must seem like a long time ago for the folks behind the livestreaming app that took Austin by storm back in March. It was just a few weeks later that Twitter launched Periscope, which, thanks to the social network’s clout and a better user experience, has quickly become the streaming app of choice. Right now both services are iOS only, though, and Meerkat is hoping to hook the hundreds of millions of Android users on its app with a public beta launch.
You can sign up for the beta here, but there’s no date for when the app will actually be available. Getting to Android before Twitter has a chance to launch Periscope is definitely a good tactic for Meerkat, although doing the same on iOS hasn’t stopped the app from fading into insignificance. According to analytics firm Topsy, Periscope streams were roughly three times more prevalent than Meerkat as of last week. Twitter has also confirmed that Periscope is on its way to Android “soon,” so there’s a good chance that it’ll launch on Android first anyway.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Via: 9to5 Google
Source: Meerkat (Twitter)
Pocket enhances its web interface with new design and features
Do you remember the time when Pocket was called Read It Later? Apparently, it’s been three years since the name change, and Pocket wants to celebrate it (and the $7 million it’s just raised from investors, including Mr. Lenovo, Ashton Kutcher) by giving its web interface an overhaul. The company has rebuilt its web UI to scale fit all screen sizes, from phones and phablets to laptops and big-screen desktop PCs. Pocket has also added a progress bar and a title at the top of the interface, as well as tweaked its dark mode to turn the whole UI background black. You’ll also find a fixed menu on the left-hand margin of the interface for quick access to Favorites, Tags and Inbox, as well as a Bulk Edit icon on the top left corner. These changes will arrive soon, if they haven’t yet, and could make the web interface your go-to option if the apps aren’t doing it for you.
Filed under: Misc
Source: Pocket
LastPass gets a material update on Android
The LastPass password manager app for Android got an update this week to incorporate Google’s Material Design philosophy for Android. As part of the announcement of LastPass’s update, the company also announced they were partnering with Samsung to offer a premium upgrade to buyers of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge as part of the Samsung Galaxy Gifts program.
The Material Design update to LastPass includes changes one would expect. There is now a floating button for new actions like adding a site or a secure note. LastPass now uses the “hamburger” menu or a left edge swipe to access the main menu. Within that menu, LastPass now includes a Settings option that has been simplified unless a user wants to dig in deeper for more advanced stuff.
The overall look of the app uses more white space and a simpler color palette. This should make everything easier to read for users. One big change regular users of the app may notice is that it now opens to the Vault instead of to the browser mode. LastPass says this change was implemented in response to the extensive feedback received from customers asking for this.
LastPass included a number of bug fixes and stability improvements as well with this update.
If you are a new owner of a Samsung Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 edge and want to give LastPass a try, you can check the Samsung Galaxy Apps store to receive a free Premium upgrade. If you already have a Premium account, the gift from the partnership with Samsung will extend your expiration date.
You can use the Google Play download link below to get the LastPass for Android app if you want to give it a try.
Click here to view the embedded video.
source: LastPass
Come comment on this article: LastPass gets a material update on Android
Twitter trends feature sees update on Android mobile app.
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Trends are a great part of what makes Twitter such a great social experience. Being able to see what others are tweeting about and then taking part is what allows users to connect in ways that otherwise would not be possible. Though while the trends feature might be great, the way that it has been implemented via the Twitter app has not always been perfect. Thankfully today, Twitter has announced an update to their Android mobile app that changes the way trends are handled.
First off, #discover has been removed and trends will now see their home be in the search page. So now instead of having to go to another page entirely to see trends, you will see them directly in the search page. The other notable change is the way trends will now be displayed to the user. Instead of just showing the #trendphrase, you will now see a small description detailing what the trend correlates too. All in all, these are some great added features to the Twitter app that are definitely a welcome addition.
For more information, you can head over to the official press release using the link provided below.
Source: Twitter Update
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Pixel OFF turns some AMOLED screen pixels black to save power
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As you may already know, an AMOLED display differs from the LCD variety in that its blacks are darker. This is created by nearly turning off or completely turning off the pixel when it is assigned to the color black. In turn, the parts of the screen displaying “black” use much less if any power, which theoretically creates better battery life.
With Pixel OFF, users of AMOLED devices can reduce their power consumption by overlaying a mesh of evenly spaced black pixels on their displays. The app is free, but a $1.68 in-app purchase will unlock other filters. It does not require root and can be started with the phone or activated at a certain battery level.
Chrome with the default mesh of Pixel OFF not active (top) and active.
According to AndroidPolice, reviews of Pixel OFF are positive. One user explained that he or she got “16 hours on-time with just 28% battery life.” Although, the tested device and the screen brightness are not known. It’s probably a good idea to test the app and see if it is better than turning the brightness down before considering the in-app purchase.
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Wave Launcher Android app review
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Launchers can completely customise and change the way your device looks, feels, and functions, and it’s one of the beauties of Android that they’re so easy to apply. One such launcher is Wave Launcher.
This particular launcher isn’t a standard launcher in the general sense of what we’d expect; it fits more into a category of an overlay than anything, providing an invisible layer on top of your current setup that will allow quick access to your favourite apps. It is with this idea that Wave Launcher provides an additional layer on top of whatever is happening on your phone that you can appreciate how the app is able to do what it does without interfering with anything.
Wave Launcher provides a calibrated hot spot on your device where a motion gesture is used to trigger the app and gain access to the frequently used apps that are arranged in, you guessed it, a wave. What is present on this wave is completely customisable and apps can even be grouped into folders to fit even more in the quickly accessible launcher.
Wave Launcher can be customised with icon packs to suit the theme of your device and because it’s a layer with a customisable trigger point, won’t interfere with anything – including the keyboard.
The app is incredibly easy to use and provides a brilliant function whilst remaining inconspicuous and independent from the remainder of your devices’ functions. Wave Launcher is free in the Google Play Store and you can grab it using the link below.
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Vine remembers it has a Windows Phone app, finally updates it
When Vine revealed its newfound HD ambitions last week, your author wondered out loud whether the company’s long-in-the-tooth Windows Phone app was ever going to get an update again. Well, the answer is a pretty definitive yes: Vine pushed out the update earlier today, and with it comes a new look, support for Vine messaging and the ability to import videos straight from your camera. (Oh, and for those keeping count, the last time Vine updated the app was over a year ago. Seriously.)
You’ll be able to edit those clips once you’ve imported them into the app proper, too, just to make sure your six second slice of life is as heartfelt/inane/ridiculous as it truly deserves to be. None of this’ll sound terribly novel if you’ve been watching the iOS and Android versions of the app grow and develop (to wit: the importing and editing features went live for iOS users last August) but it’s nice to be reminded that Microsoft’s mobile platform isn’t completely being ignored by the app-makers that could make or break it.
Filed under: Mobile
Source: Vine
Todoist redesigns its iOS app to save you time, increase productivity
There are plenty of to-do list options out there, ready to equip your phone with software to help you meet deadlines. Todoist is one of those, and the iOS version of the app just got a massive redesign. First, instead of typing in an item, and then having to tap a few more menus to assign a due date or tack onto a project, composing all of that info in the text box will automatically complete the necessary tags. The app inputs the date and makes sure that the item appears in the correct project. Not only is it handy, but it’ll surely save you some time. There’s also a button at the bottom right of each project screen for quickly adding new tasks. Need that reminder in a specific spot? Pull two existing items apart and you’ll be able to add it right where you need it.
New features also include the ability to assign start and end dates to tasks, collapse list views, edit multiple items at once and add color themes if you prefer a bit more visual organization. The folks at Todoist spent a few months carefully studying how users employ the app to determine how to improve it, and today’s update is the result of that research. While the new version is only available on iOS right now, web, Mac and Windows updates are on the way. A new Android version is in the works, too — and yes, it’ll come draped in Material Design.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile
Source: Todoist
Google Glass app can help socially awkward penguins speak in public
Fear of public speaking is quite common, and chances are you either know someone who has it or you suffer from the phobia yourself. This smart glass app called Rhema, created by researchers from the Human-Computer Interaction Group at the University of Rochester, was designed for people who need a bit of help addressing crowds. Rhema can listen as you speak, upload your recorded voice to a server, analyze its pace and volume, and then give you feedback in real time. To test it out, the team had 30 subjects try out several different feedback systems installed on Google Glass. These include ones that shows a traffic lights-like scheme and another that uses graphs.
By the end of the testing period, they determined that the most effective way to get the message across is to display words on screen. For instance, it can show “Louder” if you’re speaking too softly or “Faster” if you’re too slow. The team even believes that live feedback could also benefit sales people or those who find it tough to socialize in daily life, like those with Asperger’s or autism. You can get Rhema for free from its official project page, though don’t forget that it can’t help you out if you don’t have Google Glass.
Filed under: Wearables
Source: University of Rochester, EurekAlert!
Easily root your device with Root Master [Review]
One feature that can be enabled on your Android device is obtaining root access – we’ve already discussed the benefits of rooting your device to enable more features on your device, and now that process gets even easier with Root Master.
This fast and secure rooting app will give you one-click root access on your Android device to get super user privileges to enable various addons and enhancements at the system level.
Not only this but Root Master can boost your battery life by optimising the system and performance of your Android device using that root access to give more granular control over your device.
Root Master gives the following features:
– One-click root access
– Unroot ability
– Install root-only apps
– Remove bloatware
– Install custom ROMs
– Backup app & game data
Root Master is constantly updated to include support for the latest devices using up-to-date methods to ensure a high success rate, including manufactures such as HTC, Google, Sony, etc.
We recently discussed how the latest Galaxy S6 comes with the most pre-installed bloatware apps from Samsung than ever, but with Root Master you’re able to fully remove these apps to free up valuable space.
With a simple to use interface and clear instructions, Root Master is a brilliant companion app to root your Android device. To download Root Master for free, simply click this link.
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