Twitter’s long-awaited app for Windows 8 is now available. Along with standard features such as the Connect and Discover tab, it’s been tailored with some Windows 8-specific features as well. The Search charm will let you look up users or hashtags from within the app, and there’s an option to use a single-column snapped view for multitasking. As you’d expect, there’s also a Live Tile that will display notifications on the Start screen.
Twitter announced plans for a native Windows 8 Metro-style app back in October of last year, saying only at the time that it would arrive “in the coming months.” While it’s taken a little longer than we’d hoped, together with the overhauled Windows Phone 8 app it’s good to see more solid Twitter support…
While some of us try to avoid mainstream media and the accompanying Things You Should Be Afraid Of Today reporting, sometimes we need a place to go for 24/7 coverage of a disabled cruise ship, and CNN is always there. Now it’s there on Android too, after launching live streaming of both CNN and HLN on iOS back in 2011 a new update for its Android phone app has brought the feature (and the classic “This is CNN” greeting by James Earl Jones) to the platform. You’ll still need to be a subscriber to a participating cable TV service to actually watch the feed, but getting your dose of Anderson Cooper on the go is as simple as inputting your account details, and then you’re set. Feature parity — who doesn’t love it? (Android tablet owners, Windows 8 users, Symbian…)
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile
Source: Google Play
Related Posts:
Microsoft’s Windows RT-powered Surface has been… polarizing to say the least, leaving many a gadget fiend pondering the prospect of buying the more powerful Surface Pro instead.
The Redmond-based company has been keeping quiet when it came to the Pro’s more salient details, but Microsoft has finally come forward with some new info — the Surface Pro will be available in 64GB and 128GB models in January 2013, which will cost users $ 899 and $ 999, respectively.
Honestly, I’m looking forward to seeing just how much of that internal memory will actually be available to users from the get-go, especially considering how things played out on the RT version. If you’ll recall, users who picked up the base 32GB Surface RT ended up only ended up with about 16GB of free space, despite originally being assured that they would have closer to 20GB to play with.
As previously noted, both models will ship with a Surface pen for more precise touch input, but users looking for a faster way to bang out essays and angry missives may still want to purchase a Touch or Type Cover. Some of the Surface Pro’s other particulars have been public knowledge for a while now — it’s a bit heavier than the RT model (though still less than 2 lbs), but it packs an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 1080p display into that handsome VaporMG chassis. Other enhancements over the Surface RT include a full-size USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort jack, and (naturally) a beefier battery to run the show.
This is certainly a gutsy move for Microsoft — these price points put the Surface within striking distance of existing (not to mention well-reviewed) Windows 8 convertibles like the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga. As Gizmodo points out too, the price of a 64GB Surface Pro and a keyboard cover inches past that of an 11-inch MacBook Air, which may mean the Surface Pro could be left in a sort of no man’s land between lightweight laptops and more traditional tablets. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Surface Pro has a shot at success (I’ve grown rather fond of my own Surface RT), but we’ll soon see how the company’s hardware fortunes turn out.
Picture kind of related: he may have gotten tickets.
In a story way better than the piece of shit movie with a similar premise, a German man who forgot where he parked his car in 2010 during a night of drunken revelry has just located his vehicle after almost two years of searching. No word if he’s sober now, but I’m definitely not.
Authorities discovered it by chance last month after a traffic warden noticed that its inspection stickers had expired – 4 kilometres from the spot where the now 33-year-old craftsman originally thought he had parked.
“The weird thing is that it turned up so far away, although the owner was pretty sure of where he had left it,” said police spokesman Alexander Lorenz.
In the trunk were 40,000 euros worth of tools including power drills and electric screwdrivers, Lorenz said
Whoa whoa whoa — there were 40,000 euros (~$ 52,000) worth of tools in the trunk?! If that had been my car I would have definitely made a better effort to find it. You know, posted MISSING signs and stuff like that. Maybe offered a reward. “And not paid it?” *wink* Also, the authorities should probably go ahead and slap ol’ Kraut von Boozenstein with a retroactive DUI.
Thanks to vince, who once got so drunk he forgot where he lived. Haha, WELCOME TO MY LIFE.
The update cycle of consumer electronics can make a mess of your Kickstarter plans, but one new project that just launched is designed to provide a useful products that remains useful no matter what changes come down the road, in terms of modes of connectivity or hardware design. It’s the CompleteDock, and I had the chance to sneak a peek at an early, functional prototype at Disrupt SF this year.
I noticed it at a booth for a cloud services startup, and was immediately intrigued by its solid aluminum construction. It looked like a dock that was immovable, implacable, and designed to stand the test of time. And after going in for a closer look, it turns out that’s exactly what it was, but also with a unique, modal twist that means it can be used with just about any gadget out there.
Here’s how it works: The CompleteDock’s business end (where it gets connected to its data/power cable) is swappable, meaning you can change it out for a 30-pin dock connector to USB cable, micro-USB, or an Apple iPhone 5 Lightning connector. These will be available to purchase separately in case you buy new devices, but there’s also another wonderful benefit for backers: The first change is free. Meaning when you change devices initially, you’re covered.
There’s also a support that can switch out to accommodate different devices and different angles, and both a mini and full-sized version, depending on your needs, but for my money the regular version looks great with either tablets or smartphones.
The best part? This is already a real device, which I saw, and handled in person thanks to project founder Gligor Dacevski. The company has a manufacturing facility with CNC machines ready to pump them out. Compared to a lot of projects I’ve backed, they’re way ahead of the game, and actually stand a fair chance of hitting their December 2012 ship date.
I actually miss using my iPhone 4S dock, and I haven’t found a suitable replacement. The Elevation Dock looks promising, especially with its upcoming iPhone 5 compatibility update, but the CompleteDock is more multi-purpose, and seems sturdier, too. Plus, this may be naive, but I’m hoping this is the last dock I’ll ever buy.
Now that Motorola is owned by Google, you may think that past and present Motorola devices should get the latest and best version of Android. Even though the Motorola XPRT is a niche device, Google and Motorola should take pride in their older models and foster customer satisfaction. With Sprint quietly announcing on its forum that the Motorola XPRT will be updated to Android Gingerbread (2.3), it shows once again that the update rollout process for Android is broken — Android 2.3 was released two years ago.
In the current Android model, updated versions have to go through a long and painful process. First, manufacturers make sure that everything works as expected with their devices. Most of the time they need to update their custom user interfaces, such as TouchWiz for Samsung or Sense for HTC. Then carriers test and certify the update, and can choose to roll out the new version over the air.
Those companies sell services, not devices, and they often don’t understand the benefits of updating a device. Their cell towers handle the release over 3G/LTE. They may want to limit those updates as well so that users will be enticed to buy a new device and sign a new contract.
Even though the Motorola XPRT does not have a big installed base, it was released recently, in May 2011. When it comes to supporting existing devices, some manufacturers and carriers have been better than others. For example, the Motorola XPRT is in fact a renamed version of the Droid Pro that was released on Verizon — the brand name Droid is a trademark of Lucasfilm licensed to Verizon Wireless and it can’t be used by other carriers.
Verizon updated the phone to Gingerbread in May 2011, a few months after the operating system was released. Sprint shipped the device at the same period with an old version of Android and seemed stuck with it. With today’s news, Motorola XPRT users will be glad to hear that they have not been totally left behind.
Gingerbread is still the dominant Andoid OS, which causes many problems for developers because they can’t take advantage of newer sets of API. Even Google’s latest smartphones, such as the Motorola Droid Razr M, come with Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) months after the release of Jelly Bean (4.1).
Comparatively, it took nine days to get iOS 6 installed on 60 percent of iPhones. If it takes a year and a half for Sprint to release a new version of Android after they roll out an update, Motorola XPRT users can expect to receive Honeycomb in 2014, Ice Cream Sandwich in 2015 and Jelly Bean in 2017. Google needs to find a better way to release Android updates.
Get ready for another Samsung mobile launch. The Korean electronic giant just sent out invites for an October 24th NYC event. And judging by the prominent S-Pen graphic, the Samsung Galaxy Note II is likely the topic.
Giant phone lovers, rejoice. Samsung’s latest is about to hit the states.
The Next Big Thing Is Here, says the invite. And while that’s sort of confusing, since, you know, the Galaxy Note II is actually not here yet. It soon will be.
Per an earlier report, the phablet is scheduled to launch on the top five US wireless carriers by mid-November. That’s just weeks after this press event, likely signaling the Galaxy Note II should be available for pre-order as soon as its announced for the US market.
The 5.5-inch phone/tablet is expected to cost between $ 249 and $ 299 with a two-year wireless contract. It utilizes a 5.5-inch 720p Super AMOLED screen compatible with Samsung redesigned S-Pen. And under the hood it’s looking just as impressive, with a 1.6GHz quad-core proc, 2GB of RAM, and a massive 3,100mAh battery.
It should be a beauty, and a big one at that. As expected, we’ll be at the event with a liveblog fired up and a camera at the ready.
This is a $ 20 set of Star Trek cookie cutters from ThinkGeek. Each cutter has a spring-loaded plunger that presses the design into the dough. And the designs are (drumroll please): the Federation logo, Klingon Empire logo, the USS Enterprise, a phaser, and the Vulcan salute (aka the Spocker). Into Star Wars and not Star Trek but your mom still bought them for you because she doesn’t know the difference? REGIFT. Alternatively, get creative and ice the cookies to look like other things. Let’s see here…the Federation logo, you could make those heart cookies for your gilfriend! And the Klingon logo, throwing stars. The phaser could be a wishbone, and, after removing three of the other fingers, the Vulcan salute turns into a hand flipping the bird! “What about the Enterprise?” I suggest eating all those while you ice the others.
Hit the jump for several more shots, including some expertly iced cookies, and a video demo.
As Alton Brown is fond of saying, “your patience will be rewarded.” Today, those of you with Verizon-branded Galaxy Nexus handsets (at least those that didn’t run out and download an unofficial Jelly Bean) are finally getting your reward. Android version 4.1.1 (better known as JRO03O among the hack happy) is being pushed out OTA to Big Red customers, complete with the preemptive magic of Google Now in tow. If you haven’t seen an alert yet, head to the About Phone section in your settings, and tap System Updates. Having recently been welcomed back to the AOSP fold, we’d have hoped for an update sooner, but it’s still among the first wave of handsets to move to the latest version of Android. Now if only this would restore Google Wallet functionality. (Hey, a guy can dream can’t he?) The complete announcement from Verizon awaits after the break.
Continue reading Verizon Galaxy Nexus finally lands Jelly Bean update
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Verizon Galaxy Nexus finally lands Jelly Bean update originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Related Posts:
For reasons I’ve never been able to discern, some people really seem to get a kick out of sharing every bit of banal minutia that peppers their daily lives.
Should you happen to fall into that category (and if so, why?), you may be glad to know that the folks at Looxcie have just announced the Looxcie HD, a new addition to its long-running series of super-portable wearable video cameras.
The basics remain the same as just about every other Looxcie model before it — the HD can connect to iOS and Android smartphones (running the companion app, naturally) via Bluetooth, and can transfer recorded video snippets to them for easier distribution. As the name suggests, the biggest new addition for the dedicated lifecasters among you is the ability to record video in full 1080p, a far cry from the 480p video that its predecessors were capable of capturing. Also new to the package is the inclusion of a Wi-Fi radio, as well as improved low-light performance for when those late night raves just beg to be captured on video.
A recent update to the service saw the addition of live broadcasting to Facebook and other Looxcie users, but the video quality for live streaming takes a hit — resolution still tops out at 480p for that, but that’s arguably a small price to pay when you get to live-stream your daring trip through the mall food court. C’est la vie, I suppose.
What really leaps out at me is just how big the Looxcie HD is compared to its forebears. While previous iterations of the Looxcie hardware were small enough to fit only somewhat cumbersomely on a person’s ear, the new HD model is (sadly) just big enough to make that unfeasible. Still, there are some upsides to be found: the newly-designed enclosure is weather-resistant, and it houses a larger battery (1200mAh, to be precise) than the model that came before it. The HD is actually more reminiscent of devices like the GoPro series these days, but that’s hardly a bad thing unless you were really keen on strapping one of these to your head.
If the concept of sticking a camera on your baseball cap and taking on the world has piqued your interest, the Looxcie HD is now up for preorder — prices start at $ 279, and jumps pretty quickly depending on the mount package that catches your eye.
