LightBlog

lundi 29 août 2016

LG shows off some Nougat sweetness with cooking video shot on V20

lg-v20-taste-of-nougat3

The LG V20 will be launched on September 6th and it will run Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. That however is now old news. So in an attempt to keep the hype going about its new phone and about Android 7.0 Nougat, LG has released a video called "A taste of Android 7.0 Nougat" with the byline, "Coming soon on LG V20." The culinary themed video was shot using the LG V20 and highlights not only the fact that the V20 will be one of the first non-Nexus phones to run Android 7, but also the video capabilities of the handset.

The video covers three different aspects of Nougat: multitasking, quick switching and drag & drop. During the video some of the steps need to make actual Nougat are covered, but really they are just talking points. For example, the presenter says, "Multitasking in the kitchen is important, especially when you are working with sugar" and I believe her. They we are shown a kind of mock-up render of Nougat about how you can reply to notifications without opening an app or watch video while accessing other apps. Multitasking!

Then we are reminded that the "ability to quickly switch temperatures is super important, so you don't burn anything." Yet another good tip. As for Android 7.0, it supports quick switching: double tap to switch between most recently used apps, as well multi-windowing: run two apps side-by-side.

lg-v20-taste-of-nougat2

Finally, and I must say this is the most convoluted of the three points, the presenter says, "I am just going to drag and drop these vanilla beans into the sugar." Which is a lead-in to Nougat's drag & drop features. LG then highlights that you can organize your most used quick settings, plus drop text to copy between apps.

Unfortunately the video does not show us any shots of the LG V20 itself, nor are the screen captures of Nougat on the V20 in anyway representative of what we will get. So while this is an interesting video and while it might help keep the hype machine running (I wrote about it, didn't I), there is not much to learn here.

I guess we will just need to wait until September 6th to see what it is like to have Nougat out of the box!



from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2c3rel3
via IFTTT

Moto G4 Play now available in Canada, launching September 6 in India

moto-g4-play

Back in May this year, Motorola took the wraps off the latest additions to their extremely popular Moto G series, with the company hoping to achieve the same success with the Moto G4 and the Moto G4 Plus, as it did with their predecessors.

However, there was another member of the G4 family that barely got any attention during the launch, but Motorola did mention that this device would be launched at some point over the summer. Barely meeting the deadline, it now appears that the Moto G4 Play is ready for its time in the spotlight, with the device now available in Canada, and set to launch in India on September 6.

Unlike its larger and more powerful siblings, the Moto G4 Play features a 5-inch 720p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of on-board storage, an 8 MP rear camera and 5 MP front-facing shooter, and a 2,800 mAh battery. While there are downgrades across the board, the Moto G4 Play will offer the same software experience as its counterparts, and will run Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box.

In Canada, the Moto G4 Play will be available for $0 on contract from all major network carriers in the country, and if you aren't looking to get into a 2-year commitment, the device can be picked up at a full price ranging between $199 and $249, depending on the network.

In India, Motorola has kept the pricing information a secret for now, but given the affordable price tag of the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus, that are priced at Rs 12,499 (~$186) and Rs 14,999 (~$223) respectively, we can even expect the Moto G4 Plus to be priced below the Rs 10,000 (~$148) mark. Like the other devices in the G4 line, the Moto G4 Play will also be available exclusively on Amazon India, starting from September 6.

Are you excited about the launch of the Moto G4 Play and planning to pick it up? Do share your thoughts in the comments section below.



from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2c3mKuB
via IFTTT

Snapdeal launches Gold service to take on Flipkart and Amazon in India

snapdeal gold

After Amazon launched their Prime subscription in India and Flipkart introduced the Flipkart Assured program, it's now time for Snapdeal to join the party with their Gold service, that was announced earlier today.

Snapdeal Gold is an upgrade service that offers zero shipping charges, free next day delivery to eligible ZIP codes, an extended 14 day return policy, and product quality assurance. The best part is that this upgrade is absolutely free, and every order that is paid for via Netbanking, credit card, debit card, an EMI scheme, or Wallet is eligible.

Basically, if you pre pay for the product, you will automatically be upgraded to the Gold service. Unfortunately, that means that cash on delivery will not be applicable. Currently, over 5 million products are eligible for the upgrade.

When looking at competing services, Flipkart Assured is a seal of quality and speed, with high ranking vendors who meet Flipkart's extensive quality and packaging guidelines a part of the program. Also available is free shipping within 2-4 days, and like Snapdeal Gold, this is completely free.

On the other hand, Amazon Prime is a paid service, currently priced at Rs 499 (~$7.5), and subscribing to Prime currently allows for guaranteed free same day, next, day, or standard delivery on eligible orders. Prime members can also avail special discounts on a slew of products, and also enjoy early access to deals and sales.

Snapdeal is currently a distant third after Amazon and Flipkart, and the launch of their Gold service is just another way for the company to take on the e-commerce giants in this ever-competitive space. Snapdeal may not have the high profile smartphone and device exclusives that Amazon India and Flipkart enjoy, but there are some great options available, including the recently launched ASUS Zenfone 3 and a whole lot more.

Do you think the Snapdeal Gold service will be enough for the company to take on Amazon India and Flipkart? Let us know in the comments section below.



from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2buSYQW
via IFTTT

dimanche 28 août 2016

Android 7.0 Nougat source code released,

Android 7.0 Nougat logo AA 2

Are you hoping to get your Android 7.0 Nougat update? Nexus owners are already getting the sweet treat, but the rest of us will have to wait in line. In fact, some of you will be lucky to get it in a few months! Regardless, Android 7.0 Nougat is not out of your reach. Those of you who don't like waiting for manufacturers and carriers can take the third-party ROM route.

This is why tinkering enthusiasts will be happy to know Google has released the Android 7.0 Nougat source code. This means developers can get started on updating their software… and they certainly have. We know CyanogenMod has begun to integrate Nougat into CyanogenMod 14.0 on the Nexus 5X.

Other devices and third-party ROMs are likely soon to follow suit, so it's a matter of time before you can flash Nougat right into your own gadgets. It continues to be a mystery when these updates will be ready, but I can bet the developer community will be much faster than manufacturers and carriers

How many of you are using ROMs? Hit the comments to let us know which one. Do you know when/if it's getting updated to Nougat?



from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2bKcDg4
via IFTTT

RHA announces two headphones and a DAC/amplifier

rha

IFA 2016 is right around the corner, but some manufacturers simply can't wait to show off their products. RHA is already unveiling 3 new products they will be showcasing in Berlin. These include a couple in-ear headphones and the very first headphone digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) and amplifier.

RHA's products have been featured in our lists of best products, so this is definitely a company to keep an eye out. Let's show you what these products are all about.


Dacamp L1

Dacamp-access-Master

Headphones usually sound good, but very rarely do they offer an amazing quality. Extraordinary sound requires something like the Dacamp L1, an amplifier and DAC with dedicated channel processors. It has enough power to enable the highest quality audio quality coming from both mobile and desktop sources, thanks to its ES9018K2M DAC chip and class AB amplifier. The price is set at $549.95.

  • Dual ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DACs & class AB amplifiers
  • Support for high-resolution audio formats up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and 5.6MHz DSD
  • Headphone outputs: 4-pin Mini XLR (balanced), 3.5mm
  • Digital inputs: USB A, USB B Micro, mini TOSLINK (optical)
  • Compatibility: Mobile and desktop devices including Android, PC, Mac, iOS (MFi certified)
  • 4000mAh li-ion battery for 10hour battery life with power pack function
  • Three level gain control and EQ dials for bass/treble attenuation.

CL1 Ceramic

CL1-Pixate-Master

This is also a new type of product for RHA, as it is the first time they implement headphones with high-density ceramic housings. It also comes with a detachable cable system, featuring moldable over-ear hooks. But what makes these headphones special is what it has inside, as they are made to be used with amplifiers.

The CL1 Ceramic headphones come with unique transducer technologies. "The headphone's CL Dynamic transducer has been engineered for bass and midrange accuracy, while the ceramic plate driver generates precise upper frequency and harmonic tones".

All this quality won't come cheap, though. These headphones are worth $449.95.

  • High-resolution, dual transducer configuration: CL Dynamic and ceramic plate drivers
  • High-density, injection moulded ZrO2 ceramic housings
  • Custom detachable cable system (sMMCX)
  • Braided Ag4x silver-core (4-pin Mini XLR) and OFC (3.5mm/6.25mm) cables included
  • Mouldable, comfort-enhancing over-ear hooks
  • Accessories: 11 pairs of silicone and Comply™ foam ear tips, clothing clip, protector case and cleaning cloth.

CL750

CL750 postcard Master

Also optimized for amplifiers, the CL750 headphones come with a stainless steel housing, braided cable and unique design. Inside you will find the CL Dynamic transducer, which can reproduce sounds up to 45 KHz. They are quality headphones that will only set you back $139.95.

  • Ultra-wideband CL Dynamic transducer
  • Stainless steel driver housings in Aerophonic™ design
  • Braided OFC cable with 3.5mm or 6.25mm terminations
  • Flexible over-ear hooks
  • Accessories: 11 pairs of silicone and Comply™ foam ear tips, clothing clip and protector case.

Interested in buying any of these? They will become available starting October. More information will be available once IFA 2016 takes off, so keep it tuned for all the details.



from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2c77Aaq
via IFTTT

Crowdfunding project of the week: Dot is a smart notification light

dot-1

It's time for your crowdfunding project of the week, where we highlight the hottest campaigns from websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. There's a lot of innovation coming from the crowdfunding movement, but we know there is also plenty of senseless noise. We are here to show you the best there is to find out there.

Other featured projects: 

Today we are taking a look at Dot, a very interesting take on notifications and smart actions. It is quite literally a physical notification light, but it can do much more than tell you when there's a new Facebook comment. Its main focus is creating location-aware smart system.

Leave a Dot by your fridge, for example, and you can leave digital notes for your roommates. It can also be set up with your smart home products, meaning it can do things like turn the lights on as soon as you walk into a room with a Dot in it. You can be notified if a roommate arrives, get reminders and more.

dot-3

Really, there are no limits to what Dot can do, since it is open for developers to play around with. Simply manage it from the app and make it do whatever you wish.

There's another factor you are probably wondering about – battery life. Luckily, this is something you won't worry about too much. Each Dot has a battery life of about 6 months. When it dies, simply replace the coin cell battery with a new one.

And the best part about this is that it is not expensive to get yourself some Dots. You can get a single one for as low as $20. Keep adding more and the price will continue rising. Are you signing up for one? Click the button below for all the details and hit the comments to share your 2 cents.

Check out Dot on Kickstarter


from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2bPAdap
via IFTTT

5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week! – Android Apps Weekly

Welcome to the 155th episode of Android Apps Weekly! Here are the headlines from the last week:

  • Google Duo has been out for a week and it has already surpassed five million installs. That's pretty impressive for a video calling service looking to usurp all of the other options out there. The launch hasn't been perfect and Duo is experience release bugs, but it should be a fairly strong competitor in this space as the platform matures. You can pick it up right now for free if you want to.
  • Reportedly, Pandora is close to launching a new music service to compete with the likes of Spotify and others. According to The Wall Street Journal, the company has been silently negotiating rights with record labels over the last few months. Pandora seems to be about finished with this process. This has been rumored for a while, so it's not a huge surprise. However, it definitely will be interesting.
  • Lenovo and Microsoft announced a new partnership this week. The resulting partnership will have future Lenovo devices shipping with Microsoft apps, including Skype, OneDrive, and Microsoft's Office suite. Also, this deal covers all smartphones under the Lenovo umbrella and that includes Motorola devices. We don't know which phone will be the first to ship out with these apps installed, but we can't imagine that it will be too far off.
  • Samsung announced this week that they have processed over 100 million transactions on Samsung Pay which has resulted in $1.78 trillion. This info came a short time before the app's first year anniversary. Even if you don't like Samsung Pay, you have to admit that the numbers are impressive. If nothing else, it serves as proof that mobile payments are taking off in a bit way. Here's hoping ubiquity comes sooner than later. Samsung also announced that they were shutting down Milk Music next month.
  • It was announced late last week that Google is retiring Chrome apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Google's reasoning for this is twofold. The first is that no one's really using these apps outside of ChromeOS and Google Play is likely going to take over in the app department there anyway. The second is that the Chrome team wants to lighten up Chrome a little bit which is great news. The process will start later this year and end in early 2018.

For even more Android apps and games news, releases, and updates, don't forget to check out this week's newsletter by clicking here! You'll find all of the latest news there, including the latest Pokemon Go news! Use the form below to subscribe if you'd like and we'll send you the newsletter directly every Sunday! Don't forget to check out the Android Authority app for even faster updates!


throne kingdom at war android apps weeklyThrones: Kingdom at War

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Thrones: Kingdom at War is a new kingdom builder game similar to the likes of Clash of Clans. It features above average graphics for that genre although many of the features mirror those of existing games. For instance, guilds are called Orders in this game and the bulk of your experience will be finding and attacking other players. You'll also get to choose a hero and find gear for them to equip. There is also an included quest system to help keeps things a little interesting. You should check it out if you're a fan of the genre.

Download now on Google Play!

wallrey android apps weeklyWallRey

[Price: Free / $1.99]
WallRey is a wallpaper app that boasts a variety of high quality images. Nature scenes and people photos round out its fairly large selection and the service boasts about 10,000 photos currently. The images are large enough to work on 1440p displays which is great because not many wallpaper apps focus on providing content at that high of a resolution. You won't find any super unique or abstract images which is a little bit of a bummer. However, if you like nature and need a crispy wallpaper, this one is free with no ads and a cheap pro version.

Download now on Google Play!

wallrey android apps weekly

agricola android apps weeklyAgricola

[Price: $4.99 + $2.99]
Agricola is a well-known board game and now it's been ported over to mobile. Players of this game will be facing off against one another to see who can build the largest, most productive farms within the given time limit. Each game lasts eight rounds and you'll only have three workers to play with. Like most board games, the game play is mostly centered around strategy but it's not every day you get to create farms on a competitive level. It's $4.99 with the only in-app purchase being for DLC.

Download now on Google Play!

opera free vpn android apps weeklyOpera Free VPN

[Price: Free]
Opera released a free VPN service this last week and that's kind of a big deal. It's fairly difficult finding a VPN service, let alone one that works as well as this one. Creating a VPN is as easy as pressing a button and Opera includes a Guardian feature that blocks ad trackers from following you around the web. The whole thing is done through an Opera subsidiary called SurfEasy and it really doesn't take long to learn. Users have expressed a concern about Opera's logging practices but you can find their policies online if you're worried.

Download now on Google Play!

opera free vpn android apps weekly

riptide gp renegade android apps weeklyRiptide GP: Renegade

[Price: $2.99]
Riptide GP: Renegade is the latest racer out of one of the best racing franchises out there. Like its predecessors, you'll be racing wave runners against AI opponents in a variety of events in career mode. There is also a PvP mode where you can race other players if you'd like. If you have a device and multiple controllers, you can even play split screen multiplayer which is awesome. The graphics are great and this one has an actual story line which is appreciated. It's also relatively inexpensive. It's going to be one of the best racing games this year and it's worth picking up!

Download now on Google Play!

Related best app lists:

If we missed any big Android apps or games news, tell us about them in the comments! To see our complete list of best app lists, click here.



from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2bZEXt7
via IFTTT