Today, Google rolled out an update to the Hangouts app that merges SMS and Hangouts messages, adds some new visual distinction for which type of message is which, and a few new features. Read more here.
View the Original article
Tampilkan postingan dengan label today. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label today. Tampilkan semua postingan
Kamis, 01 Mei 2014
Minggu, 27 April 2014
Ask Yourself What Three Things You Need to Do Today
We love to-do lists, tracking tasks, and keeping an eye on everything that needs to get done. But Jeff Atwood suggests a different approach: every day, ask yourself what three things need to get done, and ditch the other lists.
Atwood's long been against to-do lists, and his three things rule is a pretty solid solution for a lot of us:
Instead, ask yourself this:
What three things do you need to do today?
You should be able to instantly answer this simple question, each day, every day, for the rest of your life. Without any tools other than the brain you were born with.
If you don't have this skill, develop it. Practice, starting today. Right now.
What are you doing right now? Is it going to somehow result in one of those three things getting done today? Will this you get you to where you need to be by the end of the day?
It's a pretty simple idea and if you're finding to-do lists cumbersome or unwieldy, it's an approach worth trying.
Three Things | Coding Horror
Photo by Pascal.
View the Original article
Jumat, 25 April 2014
Google Glass available for all today – will you be buying one?
Kris Carlon
Kris Carlon
Putting down roots in Berlin after six years of traveling is a major step for Kris Carlon, who has spent more time living out of a tent lately than sitting at a desk. Kris comes to the AndroidPIT Editorial Team via a lengthy period spent writing on art and culture in Australia and other places he has lived. He joined the Android community while resurfacing in civilization back in 2010 and has never looked back, using technology to replace his actual presence in other people's lives ever since.As you no doubt have heard, today anyone can buy Google Glass in the US. You don't even have to line up, just hit Google's Glass page and start trying to feverishly get one before the limited stock runs out. You'll still have to cough up 1500 USD to get in on the game, but at least you don't need to be connected to a current Glass Explorer if you've been hanging out to get one for yourself.
Want Glass? You got it. For $1500 that is. / © AndroidPITPreviously, only a select few were allowed to purchase Glass. That's right, you needed to be selected to then buy your way into the wearable device program. Then, those initial Explorers were allowed to invite friends to also buy Glass. Now, Google is opening up the field to any adult in the US with 1500 bucks burning a hole in their pocket. You'll also get a spectacle frame or sunglass-style shade included in the deal. There's no indication of just how many headsets Google has in stock for the buying frenzy, but we bet they won't last long either way.
In this one-day-only sale, you'll also get free shades or a frame for your Glass. / © AndroidPITKeep in mind that Glass is still very much in its infancy, and there's a reason Google has kept the Explorer program so limited. Feedback from knowledgeable wearers is key to making the final mass production version viable. This latest step clearly means Google is getting closer to releasing a widespread consumer model. If you want in on the Explorer program you need to hit up Google's Glass page starting at 9 am EDT. The offer is only available for those over 18 in the US (or, presumably, with a US postal address).
Will you be picking up Glass? How do you feel about the new crop of wearable devices on the horizon from Apple, Sony and possibly even Facebook?
View the Original article
Senin, 21 April 2014
Today In Dystopian War Robots That Will Harvest Us For Our Organs…
Oh, hey, puny human. What’s up. Not much, right? Well enjoy the brief respite between now and the rise of our robotic overlords, something we call TIDWRTWHUFOO. Your first nemesis? Proton, the surprisingly realistic robotic man.
This robot is actually being used to test military equipment for strain and wear and mimics the movements of a real human. By using Proton, militaries can see where clothing needs repair and what a helmet or backpack will do to a soldier’s skin. But once this guy figures out how to get off of that gantry, watch out. He’s going to be PO’d from all the chafing.
We’ve talked about Atlas the humanoid robot for a while now, but it seems that the good folks at MIT and Boston Dynamics are about to cut him from his tethers and let him walk around, unaided. Not a good thing, right? Right. Atlas will soon be the Emperor of an encroaching robot army. Mark my words.
Finally we present the Arm3, a trainer robot by MarginallyClever. The robot can mimic the motions of a human trainer and can be taught to write using an ink pen in order to draft a new human/robot peace treaty that the robots will inevitably break.
Good luck out there, meatsticks! Don’t let them snap into the Slim-Jim of your neck!
AOSP-based Today Calendar exits beta, hits Google Play
Looking for an alternative to Google’s stock Calendar app? A quick look on Google Play will turn up a hefty number of choices, though probably one of the most enticing options is a relatively new app by the name of Today Calendar.
Today Calendar is the effort of developer Jack Underwood, and as of today, it has finally exitedbeta. The Today Calendar is based on the AOSP Calendar app, albeit with a number of tweaks to both the UI and the feature set. Underwood’s app also is reportedly snappier and more responsive than the stock Calendar app.
In addition to everything you’d except from a typical calendar program, Today also offers a “All-in-One” view that combines month and agenda views of the stock calendar so users can organize and plan their days from a single view. Another key feature of Today is its minimal, transparent calendar widgets, which come bundled with the app — though they can be purchased separately as well.
As for the UI changes? Gone is the gray UI of the stock Calendar, replaced with a clean UI with a slightly more colorful look that actually seems at least a little reminiscent of the leaked Gmail/Calendar redesign screenshots we’ve been seeing lately.
Today Calendar is a premium app, and will set you back $2.99. For those that aren’t sure whether or not it’s worth spending cash on a Calendar app when the stock app largely meets your current needs, you can always grab the free two-week trial to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Anyone try out the Today Calendar yet? If so, what do you think of the app in comparison to both the stock app and other calendar alternatives found on Google Play?
Minggu, 20 April 2014
Galaxy S5 goes on sale today: 14 things you need to know
The day Samsung fans have long anticipated is upon us. Six weeks after its official unveiling at MWC in Barcelona, the Galaxy S5 is going today on sale in 125 markets from Europe, Middle East, North America, Latin America, and most of Asia.
We’ve already walked you through many of the most important things to know about the Galaxy S5, but in case you missed it, or if you want a bird’s eye view of everything, we’ve broken everything in bit-sized chunks in this post.
1. Galaxy S5 review
Still on the fence? Our Galaxy S5 review can help you decide if you want it or not.
2. What’s new in software?
When you power the Galaxy S5 up, these are some of the biggest changes in the software department you can expect.
3. Fingerprint scanner – is that any good?
Marketing aside, is the fingerprint scanner a compelling reason to buy the Galaxy S5? We explain it here.
4. Shutterbugs, check this out
If the camera is what you’re after, don’t miss our camera shootout.
5. The competition
Maybe the Galaxy S5 isn’t for you. How about the HTC One M8? Or the Xperia Z2? Or the Oppo Find 7?
6. Worth upgrading?
If you already got the Galaxy S4, are the new features on the S5 worth shelling out your hard earned money?
7. Where do I get it from in the US?
8. Region locking
Like the Note 3, the Galaxy S5 is region-locked. That means you will need to make at least five minutes of phone calls on a carrier from the region you bought it from before you can use it in another region. Details here.
9. How does waterproofing work?
The Galaxy S5 is guaranteed to withstand immersion for up to 30 minutes in up to one 1 meter of water. It might survive more than that, but there’s no guarantee. You will need to make sure the back cover is properly snapped into position and that the cover on the bottom is secured.
10. Accessories
If you want a smart cover, we suggest choosing a Samsung one or one from a manufacturer that specifically guarantees compatibility. We’ll be updating this post with a list of best accessories.
11. What about those smartwatches?
In some markets, you might be offered a bundle with the Gear Neo, Gear 2, or Gear Fit.
12. Tell me about the color options
There are four color options, but depending on your market and carrier not all of them may be available to you. See our comparison.
13. Galaxy S5 user manual
Consult the Galaxy S5 user guide here.
14. Get your freebies
The Galaxy S5 comes with FIFA 14 pre-installed and a bunch of subscriptions and free apps. Check them out here.
Senin, 14 April 2014
Today In Dystopian War Robots That Will Harvest Us For Our Organs…
In the year 2000 (well, more like 2020, at this rate), we TIDWRTWHUFOO fans will be able to ride six-wheeled robotic rovers into battle, our shorts flapping around our chicken legs, our friends hooting as we fall on our butts. But then the tides will turn and the robots will begin riding us. Their laughter, mechanical and strange, will haunt our sleepless nights as we are forced to carry them ever further into the darkness of a benighted earth.
Anyway, watch Rusty of SuperDroidRobots get tossed off a drone.
Festo, makers of the elephant trunk robot we featured a few weeks ago, have created this amazing little robotic kangaroo for you and yours. This little robot mimics actual kangaroos and, barring the addition of laser cannons or a missile launcher, will be perfectly harmless when the robots take over the earth.
Finally we have the Pi Bot, a DIY kit for kids who want to learn Raspberry Pi robotics. While I’m all for STEM education, I can’t support teaching our kids how to build the very things that will soon lead to their doom, namely simple robots that can follow lines and “listen” to their surroundings. But they sure look fun, don’t they?
Minggu, 13 April 2014
Sonic CD free only today in Amazon Appstore
Loie Favre
Loie Favre
Loie Favre is a Canadian-German, food-loving, live-music-craving globe-trotter. Coming from a humble background in the Canadian Prairies centred around nature and the Arts, she studied Translation and Languages in Edmonton. She left his home on the Pacific Coast of Canada, to seek her fortune in Berlin. She is now an Editor and Manager for AndroidPIT.com and is enjoying discovering about everything and anything under the sun about Android.From time to time a good app deal or a free app comes up that only lasts a day. Today the Amazon Appstore is providing the Sonic CD app for Android as their free app of the day!
© AndroidPIT / SegaThe Amazon Appstore app for Android is a nice alternative to the Google Play Store and often has some great deals and freebies that you should keep on your radar. This time around the store is offering Sonic CD by SEGA of America free of charge, which is a big save considering the app normally costs 2.99 USD.
Sonic, in all its 8-bit awesomeness, and today for free! © AndroidPIT /SEGASonic CD brings you the look of the original 1991 Sonic the Hedgehog game, remastered for Android smartphones. It's one of the best retro games that exist, in my opinion. There is a lite version which doesn’t offer as many levels as the paid one too, but today the paid one is free! In the game, your nemesis is Dr. Eggman, whom Sonic meets by traveling back in time to stop the boss’ plan to control the world with his evil machines, which Sonic must destroy. Complete with the soundtrack we love from our childhood and of course, the entire Sonic gang including Tails, the game includes haptic feedback and is optimized for Xperia Play devices.
So, go ahead and install the Amazon Appstore and get Sonic CD for free before the deal expires!
View the Original article
WhatsApp: 64 billion messages handled yesterday, none today
Kris Carlon
Kris Carlon
Putting down roots in Berlin after six years of traveling is a major step for Kris Carlon, who has spent more time living out of a tent lately than sitting at a desk. Kris comes to the AndroidPIT Editorial Team via a lengthy period spent writing on art and culture in Australia and other places he has lived. He joined the Android community while resurfacing in civilization back in 2010 and has never looked back, using technology to replace his actual presence in other people's lives ever since.WhatsApp just can't seem to catch a break lately. Firstly they get the ''good'' news that they are all about to become filthy rich when Facebook purchased the instant messaging company, then the service promptly goes down. Everyone then flocks to rival messenger Telegram while WhatsApp gets hacked repeatedly by malware scams. Nevertheless, yesterday WhatsApp managed to handle 64 billion messages in a single 24-hour time frame, and then today the service goes down yet again.
Everyone's favorite messenger has crashed again. / © WhatsApp/AndroidPITThe 64 billion message count is a 10 billion increase on the last publicly discussed figure of 54 billion per day, way back in January. I'm no mathematician, but that sounds an awful lot like a 15% volume increase in less than a quarter, even with the supposed mass exodus to more secure instant messaging services. At this rate WhatsApp will hit 100 billion by the end of the year.
Not exactly the encore you'd like after a record-breaking day at WhatsApp. / © AndroidPITThat is, assuming the service doesn't continue to crash and get hacked. No sooner had the kerfuffle over the multiple malware hacks accessing WhatsApp's phone number account identifiers blown over than the site goes down yet again. What's worse, is it goes down the very next day after the record-breaking message volume figure gets tweeted to the world. No official confirmation of the outage has appeared on WhatsApp's status Twitter account, but the app is bringing up a server outage message for many users. Let's just hope the issue is fixed in time for the next malware attack.
Check out our list of the top ten instant messengers for Android.
Are you still using WhatsApp? Do the malware attacks, outages and Facebook acquisition bother you?
View the Original article
Rabu, 26 Maret 2014
Make your Android more secure today
Anthony Muzonzini
Anthony Muzonzini
Currently living out in the East Coast. When not on the AndroidPIT grind you can usually find me turning up or play footie.Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world today and because of this it suffers from more security breaches than any other operating system, similar to what used to happen to Windows on PC’s. Today we are going to give you 5 tips on how you can make your Android device more secure and keep bad guys away from your personal information. Ignore some of these tips are your peril as people with malicious intent will stop at nothing in order to try get your personal information.
Make your Android device as secure as possible using our tips / © news.com.auInstall Anti-virus software
The first thing you should try to do when you get your device is install an effective anti-virus app on it. This should allow you to steer clear of threats that may try to infiltrate your device. Some may say anti-virus software will make your phone slow and isn’t really needed as long as you download apps from the Google Play Store but the Play Store should not be your only line of defence. Also, for as long as you are surfing the internet using your phone, you are bound to come under some sort of threat. One piece of anti-virus software that has been working well for me is Lookout security. You can download this app from the Google Play Store.
Avoid pirated software
You should try as much as possible to avoid pirated software and you should trust that the software you do download from anywhere other than the Google Play Store comes from a trusted source. With the amount of personal information on your device, a pirated keyboard could very well send your information to someone else as you’re typing it on your phone and this can get really scary when we start talking about banking passwords and PayPal accounts. So make sure if you are using something from outside the Play Store, it is coming from some trusted source like the Amazon appstore.
Password protect sensitive apps
One method that I have been using to protect information from people is installing an app that password protects access to certain apps that I think hold information that I think may be sensitive. This included messages, email, Facebook and financial related apps. When someone wants to use one such app on your phone, they first have to enter a PIN code prior to then going through the security that you have to go through when entering say a banking app. This provides an extra layer of security.
Use Android Device Manager
Android Device Manager is a must for anyone who is prone to leaving their phone unattended and even if you often do have your phone on you, if it does get stolen, you should have a method of locating it or wiping the data stored on it. Android Device Manager allows you to remotely do that. You can access it using your Google account on the Play Store. This is definitely something everyone should use when trying to protect their data.
What do you think of these 4 tips we have provided for you. Do you have more that you would like to share with us? Please leave us a comment below and we will get back to you.
View the Original article
Senin, 24 Maret 2014
Today In Dystopian War Robots That Will Harvest Us For Our Organs…
Ready to be exterminated, puny flesh bag? TIDWRTWHUFOO thinks so! Today’s robots will walk all over your heart, face, and stomach and, more importantly, smile while they do it!
First, check out this robot that will polish metal and other materials with human-like motions to ensure the object doesn’t get worn down, broken, or ruined. It’s pretty great for humans because the robots can easily replace us at simple tasks and eventually take all of our jobs, leaving us cold and in the streets!
Once you’re out of a job, however, maybe you’ll have some time to play soccer or dance? Nope! The robots took that over, too. NAO is a simple, humanoid robot by RobotsLab that is popular with researchers. They’ve taught it to do all sorts of exciting things including replace human beings in having fun.
If you’re looking for a robot that will eventually eat you like a banana, look no further than the iStruct. This amazing bot can balance on all fours or rear up to smash you and yours in fits of rage.
And finally we meet a robot that can solve a Rubik’s Cube in 3 seconds, a feat that is now a world record. Why is this important? Because it’s clear that the creators, David Gilday and Mike Dobson, have no regard for human life and are willing to sell our heritage to the robots for pennies because they are enabling these things to best us in feats of geometrical puzzle-solving. For shame, collaborators!
Twitter #Music To Be Pulled From App Store Today, Will Shut Down Completely On April 18
Twitter just announced that it will be removing its #Music app from the App Store “later this afternoon.” For those who have already downloaded it, the app will stop working on April 18.
#Music’s disappearance is no surprise. After a high-profile launch early last year, the app’s popularity waned, and by the fall it was regarded as a failure, with both AllThingsD and The New York Times reporting on its likely demise.
With the app, Twitter aimed to highlight music that was trending on the service. In hindsight, however, it suffered from being a largely passive consumption experience, and from its isolation from the context of Twitter’s broader conversations.
Plus, if you ask me, the hashtag in the name always looked pretty silly.
While the #Music app is being shut down, Twitter says it will “continue to experiment with new ways to bring you great content based on the music activity we see every day on Twitter.”
Best Buy is offering the chance to try out the Galaxy S5 today, RadioShack pre-orders start today as well
As of today, US Cellular and every major US carrier — except Verizon — has come forward with their release plans for the Samsung Galaxy S5. In addition to getting the handset directly from a carrier, you can also expect several of your favorite retailers to carry the device starting sometime next month.
With that in mind, both Best Buy and RadioShack have stepped up to offer a few details about their plans for the Galaxy S5. For Best Buy, they are doing much more than just selling the handset. Starting today, March 21st, the retailer will have sample units of Samsung’s latest Galaxy handset up and running in order to give consumers a chance to try out the GS5 in person.
In addition to carrying sample units of the Galaxy S5 in select retail locations, Best Buy will also be setting up a kiosk with sample units of the Gear 2 family, including the Gear Fit and Gear 2 Neo. For a full list of stores that will have demo units of the Gear and GS5 in place, you’ll want to head on over to Best Buy’s website.
As for Radioshack? They might not have demo units in store, but they are taking pre-orders starting today. For those that pre-order, RadioShack is also offering a $50 automatic discount. RadioShack doesn’t specify which carriers their pre-order deal applies to, but we wouldn’t be too surprised if they have arrangements with all four major U.S. carriers. If you’re looking to save even more, you can also trade if your device to get anywhere between $75 and $300 in additional discounts — depending on the phone’s value.
Not sure if the Samsung Galaxy S5 is the right handset for you? Be sure to check out some of our hands-on video coverage from MWC to get a better idea of what to expect from the handset:
What do you think, do you plan to pick up the Samsung Galaxy S5? If so, from which carrier?
Like this post? Share it!
Jumat, 21 Maret 2014
Jabra Rox Bluetooth earbuds out today
Many a fan of wireless audio has been anxiously awaiting the Jabra Rox wireless earbuds since they were announced back in November of 2013. They had a ton of people excited at this year’s CES, and now they are finally available for purchase at a price of $129.95.
These unique-looking headphones offer a slew of cool features like Bluetooth 4.0, Dolby Digital Plus sound, and NFC pairing. Not only that, but they are IP52 rated for protection against dirt and water. For anybody who takes their earbuds everywhere, that’s a major plus.
The Jabra Rox offer up to 5.5 hours of battery life, as well as a unique method of stretching the battery life throughout the day. Inside the earbuds are a pair of magnets; when you’re not using them, just allow them to clip together around your neck and the power saving mode is automatically activated.
Now about that Dolby Digital Plus sound we mentioned earlier. As with any other pair of earbuds, you’ll be able to play music from your choice of player, but the Jabra Rox offer another option. Download the Jabra Sound app (which comes free with the purchase of the earbuds) and you can now play music and YouTube videos with high definition sound. We haven’t heard this ourselves yet, but it seems like an interesting idea.
Right now you can only find them in Apple stores and at Apple.com, but we imagine they’ll be available elsewhere later on. For more information on the Jabra Rox, check out the video overview they released a few months ago:
Are you planning on picking up the Jabra Rox? What do you think about using Dolby Digital Plus sound in earbuds?
Like this post? Share it!
