Determined to make bloggers miss the season three premiere of Game of Thrones, Google has released yet another April Fools'spoof -- Gmail Blue. It's everything you expect from Gmail -- rich text, attachments, threaded conversations, with a bunch more blue!
Hit the break for the video, and the source link for all there is to know. Can it be Tuesday already?
Source: Gmail blog
When Jawbone's UP wristband was released in late 2011, I was excited. Then I was disappointed. The motion-tracking band seemed like a perfect step into wearable tech at the time, but its companion app wasn't available for Android. Whether and why Jawbone didn't see fit to invest resources in developing for Android was a mystery, but now thankfully it's immaterial. Just over a week ago, Jawbone released an official UP app to the Google Play Store, and I wanted to be first in line to try it out with Jawbone's updated 2012 wristband. Having used the band (which, by the way, is available from Jawbone for around $130) and app for about a week now, I've learned several things that will hopefully help those on the fence in making a decision about the device.
The UP wristband itself seems odd at first. It's an oval shape that tapers at both ends (the middle is where the hardware action is). One end has a button and a couple of embedded LEDs, while the other has a 3.5mm plug with a stylish Jawbone-branded cap. The whole band is covered in a very Jawbone texture, and while flexible it holds its shape around the wrist pretty comfortably.
Inside the band is a vibration motor and motion sensor, along with two LEDs with cutouts shaped like a sunburst(?) and a moon, for toggling between day mode and night mode with a simple press-and-hold action on the band's singular button.
The band is made for 24/7 wear, and is definitely comfortable enough to accomplish that. What's more, it's not too conspicuous. During my week of testing, I only had two people ask me what it was, and that was only because it vibrated. Speaking of vibration, the band can do a lot more than its simplistic design would suggest. The UP, besides tracking your activity around the clock, can give you "idle alerts" when you've been sitting around too long (this time is determined by the user), it can wake you up by vibrating at the right time (within a specified range on either side of your target alarm time), and can even give you the optimal power nap by buzzing at just the right time (about 26 minutes according to Jawbone) after it detects you falling asleep. The app can do a few more things, but we'll discuss that a little later.
Most of the band's functionality is powered by MotionX technology, and the band is surprisingly adept in detecting your sleep/wake cycles (even detecting when you wake up during the night), as well as your overall activity levels, compared to ideal goals.
So, does the wristband work as advertised? Since the band is simply recording data, most of its functionality is reliant on the app, the notable exception being the band's wake-up features. I found that the band's vibration was generally strong enough to wake me up, though it was ironically a slightly jarring experience coming out of a full night's slumber. Idle reminders on the other hand were great for reminding me when I needed to step away and get in some activity.
As far as charging goes, UP held to its "80 minute" charge time estimate (via included USB connector), but only lasted about eight days on battery instead of ten. Charging the device about once a week, however, is hardly taxing.
For a band that is built to be worn constantly, I was shocked by the wear and tear it picked up in just a week's time. At the end of the week, the band already showed scuffing on the side of one of its tapered ends, and the Jawbone-branded 3.5mm cap was worn. The damage wasn't detrimental to the band's functionality, but I will be interested to see how it fares as time goes on.
While the UP's hardware is the basis for its functionality, the band would be pointless without an app to both gather and interpret data. Jawbone's UP app can actually communicate two ways with the band, gathering data and sending information regarding alarms, daily activity/sleep goals, etc.
The app right now is limited to a short list of Android devices including popular handsets like the Galaxy S III, Note II, Nexus 4, RAZR MAXX HD, and several others found here. That said, the app's Play Store listing showed my EVO LTE as compatible so I gave it a shot. The short version of the story is that the app was basically unusable on the EVO LTE. On the Galaxy S III however, it worked more consistently. While I can't confirm this, I suspect that the dysfunction is a matter of hardware variation (that's Jawbone's official stance), but for some reason when I loaded the app on a Nexus 10 out of curiosity, the band actually synced to the device about one out of five times. All of that having been said, let's move on to the app's actual functionality.
Basically, the UP app syncs with your band for motion/sleep data and alarm preferences. Any functionality beyond that (like food or mood tracking) needs to be manually entered. Once you've connected your band and signed in to the app, you'll be greeted with an empty stats screen. Once you start using the band though, your sleep and activity graphs will start filling up. Usually, you'll just see sleep and activity as percentages of your goals. Below that is a handy stack of tips and a timeline of your recent activity. Tapping on either graph bar will bring up a handy summary of your activity or sleep with some really interesting breakdowns.
From the main screen, you can also log food and moods, which will come in handy for UP's various trend graphs and "Lifeline," all accessible through a sliding menu. Logging food at a high level is actually very easy the app has access to a pre-built library of common foods, which makes adding meals fairly quick. Logging a workout is also easy just choose the activity type, slide up or down to choose an intensity level from easy to "gut-buster" and enter a duration. The mood interface is a simple slider from arms-in-the-air happy to about-to-pass-out tired. Food and workout activity will show up right alongside your sleep and motion info on the front page.
Also in the slide-in menu are options for calibrating the band by using its built-in stopwatch mode. This essentially serves to make the app's data interpretation more accurate. Users can also communicate with "teams," finding and checking in on friends' progress by searching either Facebook or contacts for those who have "stepped UP." Unfortunately, no one in either category had stepped UP in my case.
To put it simply, the app does a lot. A whole lot. But it won't do a lot automatically. In my mind, the functionality offered by the app is great for those who want to maintain their data. In an ideal world, though, wearable technology would automate more of this. Food selections would automatically load average nutritional information, the band would do its own "calibration" by learning from you, and the tips the app offers would be better suited to your specific needs, rather than general tips.
So, how were things going after a week? I can say with some certainty that my experience changed throughout my seven-day initial trial. I began the week eagerly exploring the UP app, trying out different information input options, setting alarms, etc. but ended the week only passively caring about the information I was getting. Perhaps this is because the full functionality of the band isn't completely relevant to my everyday interests, or because I don't have the patience to enter too much information by hand.
It's this writer's opinion that the UP is more or less a baby step toward truly powerful wearable tech. The wristband offers a lot of functionality, and actually looks pretty good, but even those who only want wearable tech to get in touch with their "quantified self" may get bored with the device, and tire of manually entering food, nutrition, and workout data. What it does it does well (if you're on a supported handset), and if you have a very active lifestyle and a fascination with quantifying your life, you may actually love it. But I was too distracted by the idea that something better would evolve from this concept to find a lot to convince me the band was worth $130.
If the UP sounds like something you'd like, you can get it from Jawbone here. Even if you don't like it, Jawbone has a generous return policy.
A hidden gem at GDC2013 was tucked away at the PlayStation booth called Rymdkapsel. This is a minimalisticstrategy game with some Tetris-style base expansion mechanics. Players have to collect resources, research new technologies, and defend themselves against the occasional wave of attackers.
Micromanaging is kept to a minimum, though it's clear that there's still plenty of complexity to the game. The demo was on the PlayStation Vita, butRymdkapsel is due for PlayStation-certified devices this April, and hitting Google Play at large anout two months later.
The thing I really like about Rumdkapsel is that it's designed for longer play sessions - upwards of 40 minutes, which is pretty bold in an era of bite-sized mobile gaming. That said, it looks very much like Rymdkapselwill be a test of endurance, where players are balancing the conflicting needs to expand and discover new resources while maintaining a defensible perimeter.
Earlier today, the DROID DNA disappeared from VZW's site. This, combined with all the Verizon-bound HTC One rumors, prompted some in the Android community to wonder whether such a One variant is almost upon us - after all, why would Big Red take down one of its most powerful smartphones so suddenly? The vanishing act didn't last long, however, as the DNA just returned, seemingly alive and well:
It's unclear at this point whether the phone was briefly missing by mistake or Verizon put it back because people noticed, but we've reached out to the media relations team to find out and will update this space if they respond (which is unlikely to happen before Monday). Until then, go ahead and return to your scheduled programming - the revolution will not be televised just yet.
P.S. It's interesting to note that the phone ID got switched from 6103 to 6691, which points to some changes in VZW's internal database. Whether this means anything or not remains to be seen.
P.P.S. While the DNA has returned, the LG Lucid vanished into thin air and is no longer available for purchase. Poof, gone. The Lucid 2 is likely going to replace it very soon. (Existing owners, don't fret - the Lucid support page is still alive.)
Source: Verizon Wireless
One of the more interesting bits of mobile news at GDC2013 was Havok's announcement of a free version of their well-established 3D engine. For those unfamiliar, Havok is the backbone of such AAA titles as Skyrim, Black Ops 2, L.A. Noire, and many more. We had to swing by their booth to see just how well it performed. Project Anarchy handles a wide range of graphical tasks extremely well, but it also has an AI engine, allowing developers to make a fully-realized game with just a few tweaks to the demo apps included.
So, if they're giving it away for free, what's the catch? Well, the majority of support for Project Anarchy will be community-created, but if you need help from the pros, they'll charge you for that. Also, if you ever want to bring your game to consoles or PC, they'll charge you for that. Sounds fair enough, considering you don't have to shell out a dime to pump out a decent-looking Android game. Plus, many developers will already be familiar with the Havok environment.
Developers interested in taking a crack at Project Anarchy can sign up for more information here.
Update: Turns out that T-Mo recently halted the update. At this point there's no word on why it was delayed, but the carrier updated the support page to reflect to change, noting that it is "paused until further notice." We'll let you know when it starts rolling out again.
Thanks, Zachary!
If you picked up the T-Mobile-branded version of Samsung's newest 10-inch slate that doesn't have "note" in the name, you may want to head into the Settings menu and tap the update button, as T-Mo has quietly started pushing the Android 4.1.2 update to the device. This brings Team Magenta's version up to snuff with that of Verizon's, Sprint's, and the Wi-Fi-only model.
This, of course, brings oodles of fun new things to the tablet, like Google Now and Project Butter, along with whatever Samsung and T-Mobile decided to throw in. The update should be available via both OTA or Samsung's Kies, though without an official T-Mobile announcement we can't be entirely sure about the latter.
T-Mobile Forum
Customers on Alltel using a Galaxy S II will want to check their messaging app this evening, as Jelly Ban has been made available. Users are receiving a text telling them the update is ready to download to their computer:
FREEALLTELMSG: Get the latest update for your Samsung Galaxy SII. Download OS Jelly Bean version 4.1.2 from your computer. Visit http://bit.ly/XHB4dp
Upon visiting the link, you're then warned that this is only able to be done via a computer (Windows only) using the Simple Upgrade Tool fromSamsung. What you'll be downloading is the officialSCH-R7604.1.2 build, and the included package will walk you through getting it installed on your phone.
While we prefer OTA updates whenever possible, the jump from Gingerbread to Jelly Bean requires more than just an update to the system files. Manually flashing it from a computer is probably the best way to go here, though we wish it was a more generic process versus a Windows only executable file.
If you have no access to a compatible Windows computer (Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, or XP) you should visit the closest Alltel dealer and ask for assistance. For everyone else, get to downloading!
More: Alltel. Thanks, Terry!
You're cruising the skies in a helicopter, when tragedy strikes. The chopper goes down and everyone dies. Literally, everyone. Except you. You awake in a new world. A world filled with the undead... and they're everywhere. There's nothing to do but run. For your life.
That's essentially the tone set for Into the Dead, a new first-person endless runner that just hit the Play Store. The game is quite popular on the iOS side of things, and for good reason it looks amazing. Seriously, if you haven't watched the above trailer yet, please do so now. It's so surreal and eerie, and the music sets the mood perfectly.
If you haven't already gathered, the entire point of the game is to avoid the undead and not get eaten. In that regard, it's absolutely unforgiving (much like an actual zombie apocalypse would be) run head-on into one zombie, and become chow. Game over. You're done.
However, there are a few perks along the way to help save your ass: random crates with weapons of varying damage, like pistols, machine guns, and my personal favorite, chainsaws. Those will, at the very least, help clear your path when the concentration of flesh-munching corpses is so dense you can't see what's on the other side.
Since the game is free, there are IAPs things like additional weapons, head starts, and other helpful tools of that nature. I liken it to Jetpack Joyride, in that the options are there but it doesn't seem necessary in order to enjoy the game. Of course, you can also earn in-game currency to buy the aforementioned enhancements the further you "run" in the game, the more money you earn. Simple enough.
After spending just a few minutes with Into the Dead, I can say this: it appears to be a well-made, no frills sort of game (it immediately throws you into the action as soon as you launch it) that you're probably not going to want to sit around and play in the dark. Unless, of course, you want that super real effect. If that's what you're going for, then by all means play it alone in the dark. Good luck.
Getting your Android display output shared to a larger screen is usually a pain in the butt. You can fiddle with HDMI cables on some devices, rely on sluggish apps, or just wash your hands of the whole thing. But wait, recognized XDA developer and CyanogenMod associate XpLoDWilD has released BBQScreen. This is a root app that blasts your live Android interface up to a computer over WiFi, Bluetooth, or USB.
Setup is largely painless. Just grab the app and install the client on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. Everything should sync up once you enter the device's IP address in the client. WiFi and USB connections will provide the best performance, but the dev suspects Bluetooth should work fine in a pinch. Judging from the demo video, the output is very smooth and only lags behind the phone by a fraction of a second.
The app UI is limited to a settings panel and notification to let you know when BBQScreen is running. The app is $2.99 and requires Android 4.0 or higher.
[XDA, Twitter, BBQScreen]
A few days ago we told you about the Fieldrunners 2 for Android closed beta and directed you to the sign-up page. If you followed through and signed up, be sure to check your inbox to see if you got in, as the invites are now rolling out. In the email you receive, you are given full instructions on installing and running the app, as well as the proper channel to submit bugs. That last part is important -- if you did get in, be sure to contact Subatomic Studios and let them know. Also, some advice on how to uninstall in preparation for the final release product, as you may have issues with game progress data otherwise.
The beta is two of the 25 full missions that will be in the final edition, and besides testing for compatibility and bugs, you're bound to have a good time and see what the full version will offer. I've been playing Fieldrunners 2 on the PC for a while (I <3 U Steam weekend deals) and am a big fan of the original Fieldrunners game on Android. So far, I'm loving what I see here. Hopefully the testing goes smoothly, and we see a final release soon. Now if you'll excuse me, I have towers that need upgraded.
Thanks everyone who sent this in!
The March 29 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the SPE Leather Slider Case for Samsung Galaxy Note and Note 2. This case is made of genuine leather and is designed specifically for your device to offer top-notch comfort, quality, and ease of use. Slide into this flexible leather case from the side and protect against drops while the interior features a soft padding which keeps your screen safe from scratches. Comes in black, brown and white.
The SPE Leather Slider Case is available for just $12.00, 60% off today only. Grab yours while supplies last!
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We've watched this project grow from a once-unfunded Kickstarter campaign to a highly-anticipated beast of a gaming console. If you've been kicking yourself over the last several months for not getting behind the Kickstarter campaign and are counting the days until you can grab this Android-powered box-o-fun from a retail shop, the day is drawing near. According to tonight's announcement from GDC, the device will hit shelves in virtual and physical stores across the country on June 4th.
As promised, the built-for-gaming rig will hit the scene for $99 at outlets like Amazon (where it's already available for pre-order), Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and of course, on Ouya's site. If you want to pick up a spare (or secondary) controller while you're at it, that'll set you back a fifty spot.
Ouya has become "the little engine that could" of sorts in the Android world, so here's to wishing a bright, successful future for the unit, and the team who wants to change the way we think of both mobile and modern games.
[via Engadget]
Hot on the heels of Tasker's official 4.0 release which brings a Holo-styled UI for users on Android 4.0+, Crafty Apps has just dropped the price to $1.99. Normally priced at $6.49, this is the first time any of us can recall the popular automation app having ever been on sale.
If you haven't heard of Tasker, it has long stood as the most popular automation app for Android. While not the easiest to learn or the most user friendly, its power and flexibility remain mostly unrivaled, even becoming the platform to build a game.
There are no indications of how long the sale will last or if this may be a permanent price change, but we are reaching out to the developer for clarification. Either way, if you are at all interested in this super-charged app, hurry over to the Play Store ASAP!
Facebook is holding some sort of Android related event next Thursday in Menlo Park and has sent out a slew of press invites. Nobody is sure exactly what they have in store, but speculation runs from a better (working) Android application to the rumored HTC MystFacebook phone.
There's also rumor of a "deeply integrated" Facebook experience built into the devices people will want to buy. Zuckerberg has been pretty adamant that building a phone is the wrong way to go, so this is certainly a possibility. We're not sure exactly what to expect, but we know Facebook does things in grand style. We'll know more next week.
We got a sneak peek at an as-yet-unreleased content updated for the free-to-play Real Racing 3 on Android at GDC 2013. The next big update, due to launch this spring, will include cloud saving support, a new hunter race mode where players need to beat a specific car in a single lap, and introduce a new lineup of Chevrolet vehicles, including the Camaro.
I also got to needle the Firemonkeys community manager a bit about their decision to switch over from a premium price point to free to play, and he was generally pretty classy about how they're listening to consumer feedback and making sure their implementation isn't unbalancing.
Any real racers in the house? How have you found the game so far? Any particular changes you'd like to see in the next patch?
While Google's been on a roll entering new countries with all its services lately, today is a little different. The Nexus 4 has reached Brazil's shores, but it's not via Google's own-branded storefront. You can pick it up at Fast Shop, Ponto Frio and, presumably, other retailers. No word on when (or if) it might launch on the Play Store.
With the good news comes the bad, though. According to Google's post, the phone starts at $1,699 Brazilian Reals, or about $843 USD. That is an unbelievable premium over the U.S. Play Store version. While it's hard to say how this compares to most handsets without living in the country (residents are free to shed some light in the comments), people on Google+ do not seem happy about the price.
Still, at least the option is there. It may not be all roses and rainbows for the Nexus 4, but at least it's yet another step towards truly global distribution. This will only be good news when it comes time for the next Nexus to launch.
Source: Google+, Google
Thanks, Luis!
Starting late last night, folks who have a Sony Xperia TX and the associated "PC Companion" software on their computer were being notified of an update. Luckily it is indeed the Jelly Bean update promised by Sony all the way back in the first week of February. The update brings big improvements to all of Sony's customizations, from the included apps to the launcher and home screen experience. The move to Jelly Bean of course brings Google's own set of goodies like Google Now, Project Butter and actionable notifications as well.
At this point the update only seems to be coming over that PC Companion software and not OTA -- which is unfortunate -- but the option should be there if you're ready to get your Jelly Bean on. Grab the update yet for your own device? Let us know in the comments.
Source: XDA
Facebook has been slowly rolling out VoIP calling to its Messenger app in an effort to make it the single, unified source for all your communication needs (before Google can). Today, it apparently took another baby step forward by granting UK users of the mobile app the ability to connect for free (minus data charges where applicable) to anyone they're friends with.
At the moment the service doesn't seem to have rolled out to all users yet, and it may even still be a bit buggy (the slow expansion is partially to conduct tests, after all). However, the important thing is it's coming. You won't need to update the Messenger app to get the new functionality. It should just appear when you have access to it. If you don't have it, you can grab it via the widget below.
Source: TheNextWeb
