Path finally brings video to its Android app more than three years after iOS
In the fast and frenetic world of mobile, a three year wait for a simple feature Apple users already have might put you off using one of your favorite apps. But that’s exactly what happened with Path, the once popular semi-private social network, which has taken an extraordinarily long time to bring video to its Android app. Following the launch of Path 3.4 on Google Play, Android users finally now have the option to record 30 second movies and apply a range of pre-selected filters, which can be shared to their private timeline alongside text, photo, location and other updates. While iPhone owners may welcome an influx of video shares by their Android counterparts, the fact it took over three years to roll out one Android feature and six months to fine-tune a new Windows Phone app means Path’s recent mobile launches aren’t likely to register on blip on Vine and Instagram’s radar.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile
Via: Path Blog
Source: Path (Google Play)
Rdio support for Google Chromecast is in the works
Now that Google has finally opened up the Chromecast SDK to developers, we can expect a whole lot of different applications to start being friendly with the $35 dongle. With this in mind, Rdio, via the RdioHelp Twitter account, let it be known that its dev team is already working to offer native support for Google’s Chromecast. As it stands, Rdio subscribers do have the ability to stream music by casting a Chrome tab on the web, though this would indicate that a solution compatible with the service’s mobile apps is on the way. The tweet doesn’t mention any details about when Rdio for Chromecast could be available — but, hey, at least we know it’s coming.
@journeydan Our team is already working on developing support for Chromecast. Stay tuned!
– Rdio Support (@RdioHelp) February 4, 2014
Filed under: Internet, Software, HD
Source: Twitter (RdioHelp)
DARPA gives the public a one-stop shop for its open-source code
Ever wish you could help DARPA build our future robot overlords? Wish no more, friends, because DARPA’s new open-source program will let you in on the action.
DARPA’s making the DARPA Open Catalog, a collection of the publically releasable elements from its findings over the years, available to public. Why is Uncle Sam’s far-out research wing willing to share its secrets? Free labor, folks. The goal of the program is to get the science and R&D communities to test and evaluate the catalog, and ultimately, build communities around government-funded software and research.
All the goodies are available right now to would-be tinkerers and mad scientists. And, keep in mind that the more folks that take advantage of DARPA’s generosity, the more info it’ll add to the catalog. Gotta give a little to get a little, right?
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: DARPA Open Catalog
Microsoft to use Foursquare data in Bing and Windows products
It may not be the biggest news to come out of Redmond in recent hours. Still, the Windows faithful will no doubt be interested to hear about a licensing agreement involving two pretty notable outfits. Today, Foursquare announced it has struck a deal with Microsoft to use its location data in Bing services and Windows-powered devices. This, naturally, includes search and maps for Bing; and, for Windows, phones, tablets, laptops and desktops — and yes, convertibles too. In a statement, Foursquare notes that, “in the near future,” Microsoft will be utilizing the newly acquired license to enhance its products with “contextually-aware experiences and the best recommendations of any service in the world.” That’s not it, however, as Foursquare also revealed Microsoft has invested ($15 million) into its socially-driven company, which it says will help the service continue to grow and be accessible by more people.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: Foursquare
AllCast gets Chromecast Support Again, in Beta
The ups and downs of being a developer and playing “Google Game” is a tricky one. Over the years we have things change, be taken down, forced out or blocked by updates. All good things to come to those that wait, and those that continue to do things behind the scenes. When the Google Chromecast came out Koushik Dutta, better known as Koush or ClockworkMod in the Play Store, created an app. This app changed names, if I remember correctly, due to copyright claims. It settled in on AllCast and away it went. It didn’t take very long for Google to push an update to the Chromecast that blocked the app from working. Koush kept working on it and make it work with various other devices like the Roku, Apple TV, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Now that Google has released the Cast SDK for developers to start implementing Chromecast support to their apps, Koush’s AllCast app heads to the Play Store for all.
The AllCast app, for those that haven’t heard about it until now, is an app that lets you send your photos and videos from your device to various devices. Being able to play your locally saved files to through your Chromecast was always a desire of many people. The last iteration of apps that came to the Play Store from some of the bigger company names gave some support in that area, but many people prefer to support developers they know and who they have used apps of before.
There are a few things to mention before you go running off to the Play Store to and pick up AllCast. First, Chromecast support is still in a beta stage. So expect some bugs as Koush works out the bugs for various devices and other issues. Next, you absolutely have to have the latest Play Services update, which we have waiting for you over at gappsearly if you don’t have it. The app is FREE, however you are only granted about 1 minute of playback to test if it works for you. If you are happy, then pick it up for $4.99. If you do happen to have issues, there is a nice wiki all set up to help you out.
I took the free app for a test run on my Sony Xperia Z running a stock Sony Android 4.3 firmware and I had no issues at all. Fired it up and it found my Chromecast, labeled ‘Beachcast’ just as quick as the app updated. I played a video from our CES trip and displayed some photos. Looks like I will have to buy the app now. (bad images, I know. TV sits under a window with no blind)
Still interested in giving it a whirl? Hit the Play Store via the button below to get it installed. Just please make sure you have the latest Play Services first. Settings > Apps> All Apps > Google Play Services.
Source: Koush G+ via Android Community
Evernote for Mac now lets you search using everyday language
Evernote syncs gobs of content these days, and that can make it tricky to find what you’re looking for without some clever search tricks. However, those data hunts just got much easier with an updated version of Evernote for Mac. The app is the company’s first to let you search using common language; you just have to include the relevant criteria, such as the location, time or any attachments. Look for “notes from phone created last month with audio,” for example, and you’ll get just those recent voice memos. There’s no mention of when other Evernote apps will get their turn at the refined search engine, but Mac users can start downloading today.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Evernote (1), (2)
Google Wallet for iOS update adds loyalty card scans and merchant notifications
Last week, loyalty card scanning was added to the Android version of Google Wallet, but today the iOS faithful can get in on the action. An update allows you to add all of those pesky rewards cards that clutter the ol’ billfold and ditch the unsightly key ring tags. Just like the previous release, you’ll just need to scan the barcode of each card and the app will automatically populate your account info. If you’ll recall, credit card snapshots were enabled on the iPhone change purse last month for adding a full range of payment options. In addition to the new frequent buyer functionality, Wallet will also notify you when you’re strolling past a merchant that matches one of those saved memberships. You know, just in case you’re having trouble finding the nearest GameStop.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Via: 9to5Mac
Source: iTunes
Google Maps on iOS now notifies you when a faster route is available
In an effort to bring Maps for iOS up to par with its Android equivalent, Google has released an update that makes the app on Apple’s platform smarter in real-time. Now, when you’re using Navigation mode within the iOS application, Google Maps can send a notification to let you know a faster route has become available. If that’s the case, you’ll simply have to choose from either a “Reroute” or “No thanks” option — but, you know what they say, time is money. It’s worth noting this particular feature made its way to Android last month, and now those with iDevices will be able to take advantage of it as well. Unless, of course, you’re just a big fan of Cupertino’s own map service.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Source: App Store, Google Maps (Google+)
[ROM] HTC Droid DNA gets Android 4.4.2 and Sense 5.5 via a HTC One stock Port
If you own a HTC device that isn’t a HTC One, you’ve likely been waiting extremely patiently to hear any word regarding software updates to your HTC device, whether it be Android 4.3 or Android 4.4 KitKat. If LlabTooFer’s leak is correct, most devices newer than the HTC Bufferfly, also known as the HTC Droid DNA, can except to skip Android 4.3 in favour of Android KitKat, and that is expected to happen around March or April. But owing to the fact that HTC has already been late on its delivery of Android 4.4 to the HTC One, you can bet that these other updates will also be late. And that’s when the clever fellows over at XDA come in; thanks to them, the HTC Droid DNA gets Android 4.4.2 and Sense 5.5 far, far ahead of schedule.
The ROM itself technically isn’t a bespoke ROM for the HTC Droid DNA; it’s actually a port from the HTC One software so you will probably see all of the features that you’ve been hearing about on the One. The ROM is also completely stock and supports CDMA and GSM networks. It’s always great to see the community bringing out ROMs, particularly software versions that are slow to reach aging devices, and bringing them out way before their expected released date (if they’ve even been given one). If you want to try out this ROM, hit the XDA Forum link below to jump to the post.
Who has a HTC Droid DNA is going to try this stock port of Android KitKat? If you try it, let us know how you find it.
Mozilla makes it a lot easier to sync Firefox bookmarks and passwords
Firefox users keen to keep their browsing data up-to-date across devices will soon have one less headache to worry about. Mozilla, makers of the popular open-source browser, has decided to do away with synchronization keys for its Firefox Sync service, opting instead to utilize a simple email and password combo similar to Google Chrome accounts. The change comes after users were forced to store an auto-generated authorization code, which, if lost, would render their bookmarks, passwords and browsing history inaccessible. While it means Sync accounts are a little more traceable, in that Sync data will be directly linked with a user’s email address, the new process will enable Firefox users to quickly restore their browsing data in the event of a catastrophe like a hard drive failure. Mozilla is currently testing the new version of Firefox Sync in Nightly browser builds, meaning you’ll need to install a beta version of Firefox to try it, but we expect it to make its way to a public release in the not-too-distant future.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Mozilla Blog, Firefox Nightly
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