Android 5.0 Lollipop rolling out for AT&T Galaxy S4 Active
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On April 15th AT&T started rolling out Android 5.0 Lollipop for the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active. Less than a week later the update tot he delicious Android sucker now starting to push out for the previous Galaxy S4 Active (SGH-I537). Like other updates, this one brings in all the goodies of Lollipop with more fluid animations, alterations to the UI, priority mode for notifications, smart lock and lock screen notifications.
The update is going out in waves, as always, and users can expect to see it weigh in between 974MBs and 1GB. Wi-Fi is required for the download and you will also want well over 50% battery life on your device before you even think about installing it. The official listed Android version for this update is Android 5.0.1 and carries a build number of LRX22C.I537UCUCOC6. Be on the look out and get to Lollipopping that rugged outdoor device as soon as you can.
Source: AT&T
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‘Kerbal Space Program’ finally launches on April 27th
Squad’s Kerbal Space Program has often seemed like a never-ending experiment. The first public version of the spacecraft building game was released in 2011, and it’s been in a rough state ever since. At last, though, it’s officially ready for action — the developer has revealed that KSP 1.0 will be available on April 27th. This polished version will be very familiar if you’ve tried pre-release code on your Mac or Windows PC, although that’s not a bad thing. As before, your only real goal is to explore the Kerbals’ solar system using the best rockets, landers and probes that you know how to make, with (mostly) realistic physics teaching you about the challenges of reaching orbit and touching down on distant planets. The game is close enough to the real thing that the likes of NASA and SpaceX’s Elon Musk approve, so it’s worth a look if you want to imagine what a Mars landing would be like years before it happens.
Source: Kerbal Space Program
You can get Twitter DMs from anyone (if you want)
If you’re feeling brave, Twitter is (once again) letting you receive direct messages from any old person. As before, you’ll have to opt-in by ticking a box in the settings — but once you do, even folks who don’t follow you can send you a note. On top of that, you can now text anyone who follows you, even if you’re not interested in them. That’s a big change from the status quo, since direct messaging has only been possible between folks who follow each other. To drive home the point, Twitter put a Direct Message button front and center on your contact page for its iOS and Android apps.
Twitter had a similar option before that it cut if off just a month later, so why is it trying again when user user privacy is under scrutiny? The social network says it wants to open up “a powerful and engaging messaging experience” for users, even “beyond the confines of their contacts.” It recently allowed group direct messages, and likely wants to defend against apps like Snapchat or Facebook’s WhatsApp, the latter with an incredible 800 million users. At one point, rumors even suggested Twitter would develop a standalone messaging app.
Given the amount of harassment that occurs on Twitter, a lot of users may be reluctant to let Joe Public contact them. On the other hand, if you made a boner in a tweet or link, someone could point it out in a direct message and save you a public shaming. In any event, the dedicated button is clear sign of Twitter’s emphasis on messaging, so we’d not be shocked to see more such features going forward.
Your Android Wear devices will work even when your phone’s at home
There’s a new kid on the smartwatch block, which means that Google needs to make sure that its own gear is ready for the challenge. That’s why the company is pushing out new features to its Android Wear devices in the coming weeks. The biggest addition is probably WiFi support that’ll let you connect to your smartphone even if it isn’t in your pocket. Should you, for instance, head out to the coffee shop and leave your phone at home, then you’ll still receive notifications as long as both are connected to the internet.
As you can see in the GIF above, another big addition is the ability to cycle through cards without getting fingerprint marks on the screen. Simply flick your wrist away from your body to move forward and do the opposite to take a step back should you miss anything. Google has also enabled apps to take advantage of the always-on display and you can respond to messages with emoji straight from your wrist. The rollout will begin with LG’s Watch Urbane and will spread across the rest of the range in the next few weeks.
Filed under: Wireless, Software, Google, LG
Source: Google
Jay Z is calling Tidal users to personally thank them for signing up
In addition to signing on a roster of big name artists to help lure new subscribers, Jay Z is handling some of the customer service duties as well. Mr. Carter is calling folks who signed up for Tidal’s music streaming service to personally thank them. It sounds odd, but the company confirmed to us “that’s 1000% true.” He’s not the only one, though, as Tidal executive Vania Schloge told Business Insider that Jack White and others are calling subscribers, too. Using one of the services’ features, artists can log in and see exactly who is listening to their music alongside contact info for those people. It’s certainly a personal approach, but one can wonder if that star-packed relaunch didn’t provide the boost in new subscriptions the company hoped. Of course, being a part owner of the project is certainly motivation to get more involved. I just wonder if Jay Z used a video phone.
[Image credit: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images]
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Business Insider
Chrome OS gets a new launcher and more Material Design
Early adopters have had access to a redesigned Chrome OS launcher since last month. Now, Google is making that feature available to all users of its web-based operating system. Today’s fresh, stable update to Chrome OS also comes packed with a number of Material Design elements, bringing a new look to the Files app and the default typeface. Just as well, there’s an updated calculator app, support for password-protected zip files — plus, of course, the customary bug fixes and security revisions. So expect to see changes the next time you boot up your Chrome OS machine, some visible, others not so much. Either way, rest assured they are for the better, especially the Google Now-equipped Chrome Launcher 2.0.
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Software, Google
Source: Google
Spotify ads cater to the mood of your music
Targeted advertising isn’t a new concept, and Spotify is looking to examine your playlist habits before serving up those messages. The streaming service offers a library of curated mixes based on genre and mood, and eager advertisers can now leverage a listener’s state of mind to sell their products. Playlist Targeting is the official name of the feature, with collections of tracks for Chill, Party, Workout, Romance, Sleep and more providing the opportunity for brands to woo would-be customers. Spotify says 41 of its top 100 playlists are context related (like the mood options), and users spend an average of nearly 2.5 hours listening a day. That’s a lot of time for Trojan ads during the Bedroom Jams playlist.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Spotify
Google Chrome for iOS gets easier to use with one hand
Don’t like that Chrome makes you use two hands to comfortably surf the web on your iPhone 6? Your life just got a bit easier. Google has updated Chrome for iOS so that you can pull down to not only refresh web pages, but open and close tabs. At this rate, you might only have to reach up when you want to type in a site address. There’s also a Today View launcher widget that includes voice search, suggested answers for common searches and support for password managers like 1Password and LastPass. All told, you should spend more time browsing and less time stretching your fingers — that’s a worthwhile upgrade in our books.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Google Chrome Blog, App Store
Tidal offers easy playlist transfers to lure new users
It’s no secret that Tidal has an uphill climb ahead of it before catching up with the likes of Spotify. That’s not stopping Jay Z & Co. from doing their best to get you to switch, with the promise of exclusive content and more. Today, Tidal announced yet another attempt to lure you from your current service: easy playlist transfers. Thanks to a partnership with Soundiiz, you can bring over saved playlists from Deezer, Rdio, Spotify, Xbox Music and more. It’ll even handle those collections you’ve built with files you own. It sounds pretty simple, too. Select the services where you’ve saved the curated lists, and then a drag and drop interface allows you to place them with the new choice. Of course, you’ll still have to hand over $10/month for the Premium option or $20/month for the HiFi tier.
[Image credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images For Roc Nation]
Amazon App of the Day Bundle brings you $105 of apps for free
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Looking for a new game to get sucked into for the weekend? Maybe you are in need of a GPS tracking app for your runs. Lucky for you then as Amazon has listed $105 worth of apps that you can grab for absolutely nothing. That’s right, a big old fat goose egg price tag on a slew of apps and games are listed in an App of the Day Bundle. In this round you will find games like Amazing Alex Premium, Plants vs. Zombies and Prince of Persia Classic. On the app front you will find the usual Runtastic PRO GPS Running, Walking & Fitness Tracker and Splashtop Whiteboard (Kindle Only).
I am sure there is at least one or two apps or games in the list that you have been thinking about picking up. You do need the Amazon AppStore app installed on your Android device in order to pick up these freebies. The install process is pretty painless. You can grab it directly from Amazon and simply sideload it to your device. I find it much easier to be on a laptop or desktop and load up Amazon in a web browser and do the 1-click install on apps. It works similar to how the Google Play Store does and sends the download to the registered device.
Full deals app page can be found here.
Enjoy!
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