Android 5.0 Lollipop rolling out for the HTC One Max in some locales, kernel source also available
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Remember the HTC One MAX? I am sure some of you not only remember it, but also scooped it up. The device was released shortly after the first HTC One (M7) and found its way to a variety of networks, including Sprint and Verizon. Since the devices release in 2013 though, it hasn’t seen a ton of love. The last update the device received was to Android 4.4.2 with Sense 6. That was back in April and May of last year. HTC is now giving the device a little bit of love by way of a new update to Android 5.0.2. Or so it would appear from screenshots and chatter over on the XDA forums.
Before all you Verizon and Sprint users get excited and start hitting the update button, it is important to know that the update is currently landing in Asian and European markets. Specifically I see the thread talks surrounding Poland and France with mention of Asia too. Infamous leakster @LlabTooFer also confirmed it for Taiwan, a month ago. The update does keep the device loaded with Sense 6, so don’t expect anything new there. Now we just have to wait, see and wonder is Sprint and Verizon will be getting to the update or letting is slide on by since the device is over 2-years old at this point.
On a bit of a side note, the HTC One MAX Android 5.0.2 kernel source is also on the HTC website. Not sure if that is entirely new, but it is present.
Any of our international readers seeing the update landing on their HTC One MAX devices? Seems to range in size from 760MB’s ish to 924MB’s ish depending on device location. I haven’t found
Source: XDA Via 9to5Google
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Sonos adds Spotify Radio support to its Android beta
Sonos owners are able to stream from an impressive collection of services using the company’s Controller app. If you’ve been listening to Spotify on any of Sonos’ speakers, you’ve likely noticed the streaming service’s Radio feature isn’t available. Well, that’s about to change. Starting today, the Sonos Android beta will include Spotify’s internet radio stream. Thanks to new tools for streaming services in the pending software update, companies like Spotify are able to add more features to enhance the in-home listening experience. In addition to adding radio, the beta also includes tweaks that make Spotify integration with Sonos more stable, so that when lots of users are streaming songs, quality won’t suffer like it did during the holidays. If you’re not willing to give the beta version a try, the update is scheduled to arrive for everyone later this summer.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video
Source: Sonos
Google’s ‘My Ramadan Companion’ offers tips during the holy month
The holy month of Ramadan began for Muslims this week, which includes fasting from all food and drink during the day. In order to keep you informed of the exact times for sunrise and sunset, Google launched My Ramadan Companion. In addition to the time info, the site also collects recipes, local restaurant listings, YouTube content and other useful items in a card-based format for easy browsing. What’s more, the site pushes its findings to Google Now so the info you need is just a few swipes away on your phone. The digital assistant will suggest apps that can help you make the most of Ramadan — like reminding you to wake up for Sahur. The site is live so you can peruse as needed through the 30-day period that ends the evening of July 17th.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Via: Android Police
Source: My Ramadan Companion, Google
Google Clock app finds its way to the Play Store for Android 4.4+ devices
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Google has pulled the stock Clock app from stock Android and made it available in the Play Store today for everyone on Android 4.4+. This isn’t HUGE EARTH SHATTERING news, but for those who like stock Google apps on their devices will likely be happy to see it. Plus it gives Google the ability to update the app with new functions and features without having to roll out a whole software update OTA to do it. Like other standard clock apps you get Alarms, Timers, Stopwatch and can check to see what time it is anywhere in the world.
For many Motorola users, this will be an update tot he current clock on your device as it is the stock Android clock already, much like the stock clock on all Nexus devices. For Samsung, HTC and other users, it is just a different, but with same similar features, clock app as you already have. It gets the job done for me since I have to be up at 6 a.m. 7 days a week and don’t need to set odd ball bi-weekly alarms. I just set reminders for those one offs. If you want to get it on your device then hit up the Play Store link below.
Google Clock in the Play Store
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Android 5.1.1 update for Samsung Galaxy S5 starts development at Samsung
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We know that an update to Android 5.1.1 for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is well on its way, but what about for its 2014 counterpart, the Samsung Galaxy S5? As it turns out, SamMobile has it on good authority that Samsung has just started on the Android 5.1.1 update for Samsung Galaxy S5 – we’re assuming it’s Android 5.1.1 seeing as that version of Android was just released for the Gaalxy S6 and S6 Edge.
Based on previous updates to older Samsung flagships, Galaxy S5 owners can probably expect a few Galaxy S6 features to creep into their user experience, which is always a good thing, however given that Samsung is only just starting development now, the update for the Galaxy S5 is probably still a few months away. We’re actually a bit surprised that development for the Galaxy S5 wasn’t done in parallel with the Galaxy Note 4 – this doesn’t bode well for the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4, who might not even see an update until Android M is released. We’ll be keeping an eye on this one for any future news.
What do you think about the Android 5.1.1 update for Samsung Galaxy S5 starting development? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: SamMobile
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Android Wear update for the Moto 360 to Android 5.1.1 is rolling out from today
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Despite being the most popular of the Android Wear devices, the Motorola Moto 360 is the last to get its update to Android 5.1.1. Motorola admitted a few weeks ago that the update was delayed due to some performance issues, however that seems to have been dealt with after Google’s Wayne Piekarski confirmed that the Android Wear update for the Moto 360 to Android 5.1.1 is rolling out from today. Of course, with any update issued over-the-air, don’t expect your device to be updated straight away – it could take days or weeks for your smartwatch to be updated depending on the rate of the roll-out.
For those who aren’t sure what will be included in the Android 5.1.1 update, here’s a nice summary provided by Droid-life:
- Always-on screen, always-on apps: Most Android Wear watches include an always-on screen—no tapping, twisting or shaking required to see what time it is. Now we’re expanding this option to apps, so they can stay visible as long as you need them, instead of disappearing when you drop your arm. Perfect for running, navigating, or grocery shopping!
- New launcher & Wrist gestures: Now you can access your apps and contacts by simply swiping left from the watch face. Android Wear also now responds to specific navigation gestures so you can scroll between cards with a simple flick of the wrist. Learn more with our YouTube video.
- Draw emojis: In response to texts, instant messages, or emails, you can now send emojis to your contacts by drawing them on your watch screen. The watch will recognize the emoji you drew and send it via whichever messaging app you’re using. Give it a try by selecting “Draw emoji” whenever you’re replying to a message!
- Heads-up notifications: Incoming notifications like text messages will now appear on-screen even when you’re looking at something else on your watch, like directions or fitness stats, so you won’t miss anything important.
- Switching watches made easier: The Android Wear companion app now lets you pair your phone with more than one watch at a time – ideal for swapping watches to match your style.
- Change your font size: Want to see more text on your watch screen? Or less? You can now adjust the font size from your watch’s settings.
- Lock your watch’s screen: Want to lock your watch’s screen when you’re not wearing it? Turn on the new “Screen lock” feature from your watch’s settings. When enabled, if your watch detects you’re not wearing it (or it loses the connection to your phone) for a period of time, then your specified swipe pattern will be required to unlock it.
If you get the update, let us know in the comments below.
Source: Google+ via Droid-life
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Material stock Android themes coming to Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge soon
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The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are pretty fantastic devices. many of the Samsung haters are even taking a second look at this years line-up and considering it since they toned down the bloatware and made TouchWiz not so terrible. One aspect of the line-up that wasn’t present on previous versions is custom themes. They aren’t as easily created and distributed as say, Cyanogen or MIUI themes, but they are on par with Sony in terms of quality control and direct distribution. When I snagged my S6 it was the first place I looked to change the entire look and feel of the device without root and a custom ROM installed. However, many of the themes just take things a little to far for my taste. Even the Avenger themes are a bit too much for me. It would now appear that a new set of themes more tailored to what an Android enthusiast might go for are on the way.
XDA Developer cambunch announced on his XDA thread that he has been accepted as a Samsung Theme Designer and both the Material Design stock Android look in dark and in light, will be making their way to the Samsung Theme Store soon. That means that any day now they should be available for all owners to quickly install to their device. The two themes might seem simple, or seem more like a no brainer offer, to many. For those out there that don’t want to get armpits deep in rooting, flashing and playing around, these two new additions will bring a more stock look and feel to your eye balls. Hopefully Samsung will give themers a little more control with additional assets in the future, but for now, this is better than nothing.
Source: XDA Via: iTechTriad
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Dropbox File Requests makes getting files from friends way easier
If you’ve ever tried to collect files from multiple people you know it can be a train wreck of emails with random subject lines and links to various online storage. Dropbox announced a simpler way to aggregate files from multiple people called File Requests. Dropbox users send out a link to a group of people and all their uploaded files (up to 2GB) end up in a single Dropbox folder with the sender’s first name in the file name. The senders don’t even need to be Dropbox users. The feature launches today for Pro (paid) and Basic (free) accounts. Business accounts will receive the new feature in a few weeks.
Filed under: Storage, Internet, Software
Source: Dropbox
Artificial intelligence learns Mario level in just 34 attempts
Perhaps it’s that all the levels have simple, left-to-right objectives, or maybe it’s just that they’re so iconic, but for some reason older Mario games have long been a target for those interested in AI and machine learning. The latest effort is called MarI/O (get it?), and it learned an entire level of Super Mario World in 34 tries.
Unlike other AI programs, MarI/O wasn’t taught anything before jumping into the game — it didn’t even know that the end of the level was to its right — instead, some simple parameters were set. The AI has a “fitness” level, which increases the further right the character reaches, and decreases when moving left. The AI knows that fitness is good, and so, once it figures out that moving right increases that stat, it’s incentivized to continue doing so.
Mirroring actual evolution, MarI/O didn’t actually change its behavior with any forethought. Every generation introduced new ideas, but it was simply trying different things, not doing what it “thought” would work. When an idea was a success, it was remembered, when it wasn’t, it was discarded and learned from. Over the course of 34 evolutionary steps, MarI/O ended up working out jumping though the entire level would do the trick. If its creator Seth Bling were to run it again, the AI would almost certainly find a different, but no less successful path through the level.
This learning style is called NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies (or NEAT, for short), and it’s nothing new, but it’s interesting to see it used so effectively. While it’s a good demo, there’s a long way to go before machine learning like this could ever hope to challenge a more functional algorithm. Check out the A* path-finding bot below, which won a Mario AI competition back in 2009, to see what we mean.
Filed under: Gaming, Software, Nintendo
Via: Holly Brockwell (Twitter)
Source: Seth Bling (YouTube)
‘Lara Croft GO’ coming later this year from Square Enix, the Tomb Raider variant of Hitman GO
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Every gamer out there has, at some point in their life, played some iteration of Tomb Raider. Myself, it was the original game from 1996, Tomb Raider. A lot has changed with the series, including Lara Croft being in many of the titles, which always makes me think of Angelina Jolie now, thanks a lot Hollywood. The most recent Android releases with Lara Croft from Square Enix was Lara Croft: Relic Run and the original Tomb Raider I. Now the company is expanding the brand with another Tomb Raider / Lara Croft title called Lara Croft GO.
Just like Square did with Hitman Go, you will take control of the infamous Lara Croft in a turn based exploration puzzle experience. The trailer gives you some indication of how it will look and play out. I expect a similar mechanic that Hitman GO brought to the table along with a similar price tag mixed with in-app purchases. Fans of the turn-based strategy gameplay and fans of the Tomb Raider games are sure to jump on it in a hurry. We will keep our eyes peeled for the launch of the game and let you all know more then.
Source: Gamespot
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AIVAnet 