Android Phone Fans
Android Phone Fans |
- Critically acclaimed platformer Leo’s Fortune now available on Google Play [DOWNLOAD]
- Google Maps update can now show you distance between 2 or more points on a map
- Hands-on: Google Camera 2.3 update with Android Wear remote shutter [VIDEO]
- Best Android Apps for learning Spanish, Japanese, and other languages
- Gmail 4.9 update introduces new ‘Insert from Drive’ option and improved autocomplete suggestions for contacts
- Verizon exclusive Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet available for pre-order tomorrow, in stores July 17th
- Android screencasting arrives for Chromecast in coming days
- Android L Keyboard pulled from Google Play
- Ever wanted a projector/mobile hotspot combo? Sprint’s got you covered
- Carrier leak suggests Sony Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact could arrive at IFA 2014
- Is Google testing the Nexus 8 in India?
- For Google, wearables all about decreased search times
- LG KizON is an Android watch for kids
| Critically acclaimed platformer Leo’s Fortune now available on Google Play [DOWNLOAD] Posted: 09 Jul 2014 05:36 PM PDT Shown off briefly onstage during this year’s Google I/O, Leo’s Fortune is now officially available on Google Play. The game wasn’t technically supposed to arrive until tomorrow, but we wont fault developer “1337 Game Design” for releasing it ahead of schedule. Besides, somewhere in the world it’s already July 10th. For those not following the mobile gaming scene, Leo’s Fortune is a 2D platforming adventure game that’s been receiving nearly perfect 5/5 reviews since launching on iOS back in April. Yeah, it’s that good. Described by many as one of the most beautiful mobile games to date, you’ll be hard pressed to find another title with such vibrant and crisp visuals. Like the other causal greats of our time, the premise of the Leo’s Fortune is simple: you play as Leopold, a fluffy hairball with a wicked mustache who must track down the mysterious thief who stole his fortune.     But it’s in the gameplay where the game really shines. Not because it offers some crazy leveling system or complicated controls. Players simply slide Leo across 24 fine-tuned levels, following a trail of coins while avoiding traps and solving physics-based puzzles. While the game will cost you a #2 combo at McDonald’s (roughly translates to $5), you’ll be pleased to find neither hide, nor hair, of a single in-app purchase. We like that. It comes as no surprise that Leo’s Fortune does offer gamepad support (another plus) and just like Google showed off during I/O 2014, should look great playing on Android TV once it officially launches later this year. You’ll find download links just after the trailer below. |
| Google Maps update can now show you distance between 2 or more points on a map Posted: 09 Jul 2014 02:47 PM PDT In a new update that silently arrived for Google Maps on the web, the boys at Google have enabled a new feature we’re sure many of you have no doubt been missing since the redesign. After opening the new Google Maps in your web browser, right clicking anywhere on the map now offers the option to “Measure distance.” Once selected, tapping anywhere in maps will show the end distance from the place you originally right clicked. What’s more is you can continue clicking on the map for added calculations, showing the total distance measured. While this is already raring to go in the new Google Maps on the web, the feature will need to be enabled for anyone still using the classic version of Google Maps. To do this simply click on the Maps Labs link (bottom left-hand panel) and enable the “Distance Measurement Tool.” Save your changes and after returning to the classic Google Maps, click on the ruler icon (bottom left corner), then click anywhere on the map to begin measure distances. No word on when or if this cool new feature will make its way on over to Android or iOS versions of Google Maps, but we can always hope. |
| Hands-on: Google Camera 2.3 update with Android Wear remote shutter [VIDEO] Posted: 09 Jul 2014 02:18 PM PDT After a previous update introduced a timer function in the Google Camera, that feature is now making its way to our Android Wear devices in the latest 2.3 update. Still rolling out in stages, the update will allow you to trigger a timer from your phone’s camera remotely by using your LG G Watch, Samsung Gear Live, or the upcoming Motorola Moto 360. Once updated, all you have to do is open the Google Camera app on your phone or tablet and watch as a card pops up on your Android Wear smartwatch. Once pressed, a 3 second timer will countdown and once the image has been captured, it will magically appear on your watch for quick viewing. Doesn’t get any easier than that. Of course exactly how you intend on using this new feature is totally up to you. Aside from spy cams or creep shots we’re not entirely sure how useful a remote camera functionality will be, but for Android photogs with a tripod handy, this could be indispensable for quick family portraits while on vacation. By now you know the story: you can either wait for the update to hit your device in the coming days, or sideload via our MediaFire link below. Enjoy! Download: MediaFire |
| Best Android Apps for learning Spanish, Japanese, and other languages Posted: 09 Jul 2014 12:59 PM PDT Hola. Learning a new language can be extremely challenging. Many people take on this task when it’s a requirement in school, but a growing amount of people are doing it on their own. Some do it for their careers, others for travel. Some do it for fun, others for practical purposes. Regardless of the reason, everyone who decides to learn a language will need help. Contrary to what you may hear from TV infomercials, learning a new language isn’t as simple as buying a CD or tape. Language is an art that requires participation- thankfully we now have phones, tablets, and even watches that provide the perfect medium for interactive language learning. Android users will find a plethora of learning options out there, so to make your lives easier we’ve compiled our list of the best Android apps for learning languages (with some special focus on apps for learning Spanish and apps for learning Japanese). Multiple LanguagesDuolingoLanguages: Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and English Duolingo is the best app for learning languages on Android. Full stop. Like many language learning services try to do, Duolingo turns learning into an addictive game. Each lesson comes with a few “hearts” that act like lives in a video game. For each incorrect answer you lose one heart. Complete the lesson and you can earn achievements. It’s very fun, and the lessons are short enough that you can complete one whenever you have a few minutes. Another great feature of Duolingo is the design and developer support. Duolingo has a great tablet interface, embraces the Android design language, and was one of the first to support Android Wear. On your watch you can see flash cards and swipe through answers. Oh, and did we mention all of this is completely free? And you can use it on the web and iOS? Yep, it’s pretty great. BabbelLanguages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Polish, Dutch, Norwegian, Danish, Indonesian Babbel for Android brings all of the great courses from Babbel.com to your mobile device. This app is perfect for anyone with or without previous knowledge of a second language. Babbel provides exercises for people of all learning types, inducing listening, writing, and speaking. The built-in voice recognition is great at making sure you’re speaking the language correctly. This app offers a wide variety of languages, but Babbel also offers dedicated apps to go more in-depth with a specific language. All of Babbel’s apps require a subscription. MemriseLanguages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Mexican Spanish Memrise is a very unique way to learn new languages. You create “mems” which are meme-like pictures to help you remember a word. The idea is you will remember the funny picture and the words that go with it. Just like how kids use songs to memorize things. If you’re not feeling creative you can use mems that other users have made. If you are a more visual learner this is a great service to check out. Memrise is also great for other topics besides languages, such as learning geography. Learn 50 LanguagesLanguages: 50+ 50languages.com contains over 100 lessons that provide you with a basic vocabulary, this free app provides 30 of those lessons. With no prior knowledge required, you will learn to speak short sentences in real-world situations. 50languages corresponds to the Common European Framework levels A1 and A2, which means it’s suitable for all types of schools and students. If you learned a language in school this app will be great in refreshing your memory. 50languages also provides dedicated apps for several languages. PhrasebookLanguages: French, Spanish, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, English As the name implies, Phrasebook contains over 800 commonly used phrases and vocabularies. You won’t exactly learn a language this way, but the app is especially useful when you travel to countries where you are not familiar with the language. However, Phrasebook is much more than just a travel guide. You can learn languages by working with the parrot. Simply repeat after him, or use him to speak on your behalf. busuuLanguages: Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Portuguese, Turkish, Chinese, English busuu describes itself as a “social network for learning languages.” When you sign up for a free account you are joining over 40 million other native language speakers. busuu offers 150 everyday topics containing 3,000 words and phrases. The courses are based on the CEFR, which is a recognized framework for learning languages. Since busuu is a social network you can get feedback from people who natively speak the languages you want to learn. This is a personal touch that not many other language learning apps can provide. Courses123Languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Italian Courses123 is one of the newer apps on this list. This app was made to utilize modern technology to help people learn new languages. Some of the techniques used include badges, achievements, progress meters, and a very easy to use UI. Courses123 uses flash cards and audio to teach new words and phrases. If you like the “game-ification” of education this is another fun app to try. LingQLanguages: English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Swedish, Korean, Dutch LingQ is a great language learning app for people who want to listen to audio lessons. The old-fashioned way to learn a new language was to play cassette tapes, but now we have apps like LingQ which make it even easier. If audio isn’t your cup of tea, LingQ also uses flashcards for memorization. All of your lessons and progress are synced to the LingQ website. It’s also worth noting that this app receives frequent updates to stay up to date with Android. Rosetta CourseLanguages: 30+ Rosetta Stone is one of the most recognizable names in language learning. Their Android app gives current subscribers a way to learn on the go. Rosetta Course gives you access to language basics like greeting and introductions, terms for shopping, travel, friends and social, and dining and vacation. If Rosetta Stone is your software of choice this is an excellent companion. Mango LanguagesLanguages: Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese Mango Languages unique feature is called “Intuitive Language Construction.” This feature attempts to mimic the natural process by which people learn to speak. It does this by presenting material through real-life conversations. Every lesson incorporates Mango’s four conversation components: vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and culture. The first lesson for every language is free from Mango. Subsequent lessons require the Mango Passport. Google TranslateLanguages: 80+ Trusty ‘ol Google Translate can also be used to learn a new language. As the name suggests, this app is great at translating language. You can enter words or phrases manually and see the translation, or speak to it and hear the phrase back. Another cool feature is the ability to scan real world items and get them translated in real-time. Google Translate certainly isn’t as powerful as other apps on this list, but it’s a nice simple way to get started. Single LanguageBest App for learning English - VoxyPrice: Free Most of the apps on this list are targeted to English-speaking people, but Voxy is the opposite. This app is all about teaching the English language. Voxy offers lessons that adapt to your specific needs and wants. Native speaking tutors are available for one-on-one tutoring, and lessons are updated every day to give you new and fresh exercises. Voxy will help you speak English better than some native speakers do. Best App for learning Japanese - Learning JapanesePrice: Free Learning Japanese can be a daunting task. One of the first important things to learn is the KANA vocabulary and the correct way to express numbers, dates, and time. This app will help you learn those things with stroke and audio tests. The best way to learn Japanese is to write it, and that is exactly what you can do in this app. You can also use this app as a phrasebook for when you don’t know what to say. Best App for learning Spanish - Learn SpanishPrice: Free One of he most common languages in the world, especially here in the United States, is Spanish. Underneath almost every English phrase on signs in big cities is a Spanish translation. If you’re interested in learning this language this is a great app for doing it. Learn Spanish by SpeakTribe uses innovative approaches designed specifically for beginners. It’s the fastest way to get started on the right track. Learning a new language doesn’t have to be a chore. We hope that these apps will make the experience more fun and enjoyable. If you learned a new language with an Android app let us know in the comments below! Have you learned foreign languages with an Android app?
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| Posted: 09 Jul 2014 12:46 PM PDT It’s “App Update Wednesday” and with that, we’re seeing a handful of new Google app updates hit the Google Play Store. We already told you guys about Chromecast with screen mirroring, and the Google Camera with Android Wear remote capture. Now a small update to Gmail (no, it’s not a Material Redesign) is rolling out on Google Play. Said to be hitting your Android device within the coming days, the update introduces a new “Insert from Drive” option when composing a message. While this was already kinda available in earlier versions of Gmail, Google’s new option will add files directly inline with your messages and not simply tacked on at the end of the message. Should you find yourself attaching a private file, you’ll see an option to change your share settings before sending. Google also mentions they’ve added some improvements to autocomplete suggestions for contacts, making it easier to find who you’re looking for. Sorry, iOS users. Seems this is Android-only for now. |
| Verizon exclusive Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet available for pre-order tomorrow, in stores July 17th Posted: 09 Jul 2014 11:31 AM PDT We got a hands-on look at the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet during this year’s Mobile World Congress 2014 and had nothing but good things to say about the tab. In terms of build quality, the Xperia Z2 Tablet was one of the most premium and sleek Android tablets money can buy and starting tomorrow, you can officially pre-order the 4G LTE equipped model from Verizon Wireless. A shift allegiance for Sony who traditionally makes available their devices on carriers like T-Mobile or AT&T, the Verizon exclusive Xperia Z2 Tablet will run $600 (or $500 with a 2-year agreement). Here’s a quick look at the specs the Xperia Z2 tablet offers:
Sony says the Xperia Z2 will be in Verizon stores on July 17th, and if you make haste, you can even get a free pair of Sony’s MDR-NC31EM noise cancelling headphones (while supplies last). Sony’s North American president Ravi Nookala says their new relationship with Verizon is key to Sony building momentum in the US and if rumors prove correct, this is a just a hint of things to come (see Sony Xperia Z2 leaks). You can check out our hands-on video with the tablet below. |
| Android screencasting arrives for Chromecast in coming days Posted: 09 Jul 2014 10:17 AM PDT The latest update to Android's Chromecast app will begin to introduce some of the new features unveiled at this year's Google I/O. Specifically, with the 1.7 update Android smartphone and tablet users will have the ability to mirror their screens via Chromecast. The feature not only allows users to display their Android homescreens on a Chromecast-connected TV or other device, but it also means any application can now be displayed via Google's budget-friendly streaming dongle. Users won't have to wait for Chromecast to be enabled on an app-by-app basis. Upon downloading the update, users will find a "Cast Screen" option among the others listed in the Chromecast app's navigation drawer. Nexus devices will see a toggle fro screencasting directly in the Android quick settings menu. Once enabled, the user can navigate their phone in the normal manner with a one-to-one projection appearing via Chromecast. Screencasting is still being dubbed a beta feature, and it unfortunately will not be available to all users immediately. Google says the new capabilities will "roll out to popular Android phone [and] tablets from Samsung, HTC, LG, and others" first. The Chromecast 1.7 update should reach Google Play in the coming days. |
| Android L Keyboard pulled from Google Play Posted: 09 Jul 2014 09:45 AM PDT We should have seen this one coming. After Android L's revamped keyboard was ripped from a developer preview and repackaged for use with older Android builds, Google has pulled it from the Play Store. The app, which as a rip straight from Android L was far from the original creation of developer Shen Ye, was found to violate certain aspects of Google's Developer Distribution Agreement. What is really surprising is just how long it actually took for Google to take action. The Android L Keyboard had amassed 800,000 downloads since it appeared on Google Play shortly after last month's Google I/O keynote. Google currently offers their own Google Keyboard via the Play Store, and app which is more or less the same as Ye's Android L Keyboard minus the Android L updates, particularly the Material Design theme. This surely isn't the last we will see of the Android L Keyboard, however. For rooted users and those willing to side-load an APK, distribution channels outside of Google Play shouldn't be too hard to track down.
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| Ever wanted a projector/mobile hotspot combo? Sprint’s got you covered Posted: 09 Jul 2014 08:29 AM PDT In the age of Chromecast and other over-the-air streaming methods, folks aren't exactly yearning for a portable pico projector. Going one step shy of putting said projector into a phone (looking at you, Samsung), Sprint today introduced the LivePro, a combination mini projector and mobile hotspot powered by Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Sharing YouTube clips with your friends and family while on the go just got a little more weird. Sprint is calling it a "world's first," but we're left wondering if it was even necessary. Sprint has us asking that question quite often, so it's nothing out of the usual. The projector portion features a “10-inch to 10-foot projection display" and the 3G/4G hotspot can offer up to 8 WiFi connections simultaneously. A 4-inch touch display gives access to that Jelly Bean user interface and the gadgets 5000mAh battery can even be used to charge a smartphone. Sprint (by way of ZTE) really thought of everything with this one. The most ironic part? The projector support WiFi Miracast to wireless broadcast video content to the projector. OK, we get that this could be useful when there is no compatible TV nearby, but let's be real. I suppose we get the angle that this could be a useful business tool, but most modern offices have more than enough equipment on hand to make easy work of showing slides at a meeting. In short, the LivePro is a device that attempts to do everything you never needed it to do, and it doesn't do it cheap. When purchased via a Sprint Easy Pay plan, the LivePro will run $18.75/month for 24 months, or $450 total. Welcome to the framily, LivePro! |
| Carrier leak suggests Sony Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact could arrive at IFA 2014 Posted: 09 Jul 2014 08:01 AM PDT Recent weeks have brought an early glimpse at the device that most likely will end up as the Sony Xperia Z3, and the timing has led to plenty of speculation as to when we can expect the handset to officially launch. A new document allegedly sourced from Vodafone's German arm adds to the intrigue, suggesting we could see the Z3 (as well as the Z3 Compact) on shelves before the end of this quarter. The document in question references an internal rewards program that assigns point values to specific device models. These points are awarded to an employee upon completing the sale of one or more of these associated devices. Listed among the 1.5 point category? You guessed it — the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 compact. With the contest ending on September 30th, this makes that month's IFA 2014 a strong contender for the location of Sony's next big smartphone reveal. It makes sense, too. Sony launched the Xperia Z at CES in early 2013 only to be followed shortly after by the Xperia Z1 at IFA later that year. Early 2014 saw the launch of the Xperia Z2, this time at the yearly MWC exhibition. The biannual pattern sets up perfectly for the launch of the Sony Xperia Z3 during this year's IFA show. Of course, we must consider that this bit of carrier documentation could be inaccurate or at worst faked. If the latter were true, this would be one subtly executed hoax. We don't know many details about the Xperiz Z3, but leaked specs for the Z3 Compact suggest the pair could be quite the contenders when they arrive. The Compact is said to carry a 4.5-inch display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a whopping 20.7MP rear camera.
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| Is Google testing the Nexus 8 in India? Posted: 09 Jul 2014 07:23 AM PDT Will we or won't we see the Nexus 8? That's the question that has been on our minds for what seems like an eternity as we await any sort of official word on the rumored followup to Google's popular Nexus 7 slate. The general consensus is that the tablet does indeed exist; could we be closer than ever to its big reveal? According to import/export records, prototype units have already arrived in India for testing. If the database entry we are looking at has any truth to it, two separate shipments of two Nexus 8 tablets each have arrived in the country over the past two weeks. The latest entry dated July 4th simply reads “NEXUS8 PROTOTYPE TABLET” while an earlier entry for June 30th went a bit farther. Its description reads "NEXUS8 PROTOTYPE TABLET SIMILAR TO NEXUS(7)." Not the most revealing description, but a Nexus 7-esque slate was about what we expected. The only other revelation coming from this find is potential pricing information. While the value per unit varies slightly between the two shipments, both are listed in the range of 16,500 INR. The number shakes out to about $275 when converted to US currency. A pricing of $250-275 makes sense for a Nexus Tablet featuring a slightly larger screen and beefed up specs over the last iteration, especially if we are looking at a variant with cellular radios onboard (info we can't decipher from this listing). What we can't gather from the entries is any info on the Nexus 8's potential hardware array. We can't glean the manufacturer of origin. We definitely can't decipher a release date. The presence of multiple instances of a Nexus 8 in the database lend some credence to the possibility that the entries aren't simply being spoofed, but without much more to go on we'd say take this little bit of info for what it is. Will we see the Nexus 8 by the end of the summer? Or will Google hold the tablet back to coincide with the official rollout of Android L? You guess is as good as ours.
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| For Google, wearables all about decreased search times Posted: 09 Jul 2014 06:24 AM PDT Google has been quick to point out the utilitarian aspects of Google Glass since it's introduction a couple years back, showcasing it as the futuristic alternative to the smartphone. Perhaps it could be, but let's not kid ourselves. While Google may deep down inside truly care about the betterment of the world, it is a company based on answering internet search queries, and search queries, in one way or another, will always be at the heart of every decision the company makes. This revelation comes to us by way of Babak Parviz, one of the directors of Google's famed Google X division and the man who headed up the team working on Glass during the first stages of his development. According to Parviz, a main aim in designing Glass was simply to reduce the amount of time it would take a user to perform a search, a task that on average takes about 10 seconds. A search device mounted to the head, ready and waiting for voice input, seemed like a logical answer. The same could be said for Google's entire wearable strategy, including the newly introduced Android Wear platform. Parviz further went on to say that he doesn't see Glass as the definitive answer. In fact, unlike many Glass evangelists, the Googler did not even wear the still-in-testing headset on stage. He acknowledged Glass as one solution to the post-smartphone age, and said he believes we will see a more widespread adoption of wearable tech a few years down the road, but knows this particular gadget is likely not the be-all-end-all. Parviz has since been replaced as head of Google Glass development, but he hinted at the direction Google hopes to take their connected headset. Aside from refining the software experience, the focus is on hardware that is less power hungry and more comfortable for the user. Hopefully the search giant is also focused on cutting down the $1500 price tag to something a bit more manageable. |
| LG KizON is an Android watch for kids Posted: 08 Jul 2014 07:43 PM PDT Samsung and LG are the only manufacturers with Android Wear watches on the market and both continue to forge ahead in the wearable space. While the Gear Live has received an update that brings “Call a car” support from Lyft, the latter has announced a watch aimed at parents whose entire concept seems to be “Call my kid”. Don’t get confused: the watch is designed for children to wear but since it’s targeting the pre-school and primary school children, parents are the real customers. The idea is somewhat cute, but look at the size of those things- you might as well strap helmets with security cameras on their head! I’m not a parent so probably not the best judge, and I assume these kids are on the younger side of the age range, but given the device’s limited capabilities I would expect something much more form fitting. The LG Kizon’s primary features are based around keeping a close eye on your tikes no matter the distance. For starters, it tracks and reports location via GPS and WiFi (with companion app), pinging parents with location updates throughout the day. The watch has only one button and pressing it will call a specific parent’s number that is pre-configured (and updatable) through the companion app on an Android phone or tablet. It works the other way, too. Parents can call their child directly, and if they don’t answer within 10-seconds the watch will accept the call automatically, letting them listen in on whatever’s happening. Watch out, reckless babysitters! One thing LG seems to have done right is give the LG Kizon a playful look that I’m sure kids will enjoy. “Time to put your KizON,” sounds so much better than, “Take off that leash and strap on your location tracker, Suzie!” I wouldn’t have opted for the KizON spelling, but it doesn’t look like these kids know the alphabet yet anyways. LG Kizon specs include:
Parents clearly won’t be buying the LG Kizon for specs, but instead for the safety and assurance it provides their family while keeping the kids happy. So parents out there… is this something you’d consider getting for your little rascals? |
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