Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Been a while since I checked this thread out. Lol. Been so busy. Any one check out Roman Nurik's new app Muzei Live Wallpeper?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ik.roman.muzei
Same dev who created Dash Clock Widget. The app is amazing and it even has extensions to tap into other photo/wallpaper sites like 500px, Flickr, and Reddit. Currently have it set up to cycle every 6 hours through /r/Earthporn but you can choose another certain subreddit if that's not what you like. :wink:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ik.roman.muzei
Same dev who created Dash Clock Widget. The app is amazing and it even has extensions to tap into other photo/wallpaper sites like 500px, Flickr, and Reddit. Currently have it set up to cycle every 6 hours through /r/Earthporn but you can choose another certain subreddit if that's not what you like. :wink:
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
shit, I was going to mention that app too.
Also, AnimGIF lets you use a GIF as your wallpaper.
Free
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...llpaper2&hl=en
Premium
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...aper2pro&hl=en
Also, AnimGIF lets you use a GIF as your wallpaper.
Free
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...llpaper2&hl=en
Premium
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...aper2pro&hl=en
Goodbye.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 584
From: BroCal
GS4 is 4.99", but Apple is rumored to be releasing not one, but TWO giant sized phones. One is going to be just about 5" while the other will be much larger.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
This would be cool if they go about using it.
http://bgr.com/2014/02/17/google-slicklogin-password/
tl, dr:
Google using your smartphone to eliminate passwords. Where your smartphone will listen for a particular sound the login site produces.
Google has bought SlickLogin, TechCrunch reveals, with both companies confirming the acquisition. Google’s purchase proves that the Search giant is more and more interested in improving Internet security, suggesting that the passwords of the future may be entirely different from what they are today.
SlickLogin offers a sound-based password technology, which requires a smartphone. With SlickLogin’s tech in place, a website would play a “nearly-silent” sound through the computer’s speakers, with an app running on the smartphone listening and picking it up. Then, the app would analyze it and send back a signal to the site’s server confirming the login.
The service can be used either as a traditional password replacement, or as a secondary code for two-step authentication purposes. SlickLogin’s product was only available in a limited beta before being purchased by Google.
It’s not clear yet in what services Google will integrate SlickLogin features in the future, but considering the tech requires a smartphone to be able to offer sound-based login features, it’s likely Android will be involved.
“Today we`re announcing that the SlickLogin team is joining Google, a company that shares our core beliefs that logging in should be easy instead of frustrating, and authentication should be effective without getting in the way,” SlickLogin wrote on its website. “Google was the first company to offer 2-step verification to everyone, for free – and they’re working on some great ideas that will make the Internet safer for everyone. We couldn`t be more excited to join their efforts.”
The following video shows SlickLogin’s presentation from TechCrunch Disrupt 2013
SlickLogin offers a sound-based password technology, which requires a smartphone. With SlickLogin’s tech in place, a website would play a “nearly-silent” sound through the computer’s speakers, with an app running on the smartphone listening and picking it up. Then, the app would analyze it and send back a signal to the site’s server confirming the login.
The service can be used either as a traditional password replacement, or as a secondary code for two-step authentication purposes. SlickLogin’s product was only available in a limited beta before being purchased by Google.
It’s not clear yet in what services Google will integrate SlickLogin features in the future, but considering the tech requires a smartphone to be able to offer sound-based login features, it’s likely Android will be involved.
“Today we`re announcing that the SlickLogin team is joining Google, a company that shares our core beliefs that logging in should be easy instead of frustrating, and authentication should be effective without getting in the way,” SlickLogin wrote on its website. “Google was the first company to offer 2-step verification to everyone, for free – and they’re working on some great ideas that will make the Internet safer for everyone. We couldn`t be more excited to join their efforts.”
The following video shows SlickLogin’s presentation from TechCrunch Disrupt 2013
tl, dr:
Google using your smartphone to eliminate passwords. Where your smartphone will listen for a particular sound the login site produces.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
Don't know if anyone cares, but today's Amazon Free app of the day is ewallet - an easy way to password protect some info.
Rather than lock my whole phone, I'm usually just lock stuff that I care to lock, with an applock program. (although that's a different app)
Rather than lock my whole phone, I'm usually just lock stuff that I care to lock, with an applock program. (although that's a different app)
takin care of Business in
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 30,994
Likes: 4,733
From: Kansas City, MO
not sure if any of you has tried the Fweather widget....effin SICK....cracks me up...
some screenshots:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617407545/http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617407545/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/44051364@N00/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617829054/http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617829054/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/44051364@N00/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617832704/http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617832704/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/44051364@N00/, on Flickr
some screenshots:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617407545/http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617407545/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/44051364@N00/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617829054/http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617829054/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/44051364@N00/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617832704/http://www.flickr.com/photos/44051364@N00/12617832704/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/44051364@N00/, on Flickr
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,448
Likes: 1,577
From: Miami, FL
New Sony Xperia X2 with new Snapdragon 801
http://www.engadget.com/2014/02/24/s...ing/#continued
The Z2 features a 5.2-inch full HD (1080p) Triluminos display encased in an one-piece aluminum housing. Its the first device to include Qualcomm's new 2.3 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801, which offers faster clock speeds than the 800, and is supported by 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (with microSD support) and a 3,200mAh battery. Sony's using the same 20.7-megapixel Exmor RS camera found in the Z1 (although there's 4K recording support tucked away), opting for a slightly improved 2.2-megapixel shooter on the front. That's all protected from a watery demise by IP58 waterproof certification.
The Z2 includes 4K video recording at 30 frames per second with SteadyShot image stabilisation. You're not going to witness the full glory when you play a 4K video back on the Z2's 1080p screen (Sony maybe hopes that you'll buy one of its 4K TVs too), but you'll still be able to zoom in and inspect the stunning detail of your recordings on the device.
If specs aren't enough, Sony's also developed some new custom camera apps to get even more mileage out of it: there's Timeshift video, which'll let you shoot and quickly edit slow motion video at 120 frames per second, new creative effects, background defocus, and augmented reality options are now available for video. Unfortunately, Sony's limited Timeshift videos to 720p at 120 frames per second, putting a dampener on those plans to record a slo-mo of yourself on a slip-and-slide in high-definition.
http://www.engadget.com/2014/02/24/s...ing/#continued
The Z2 features a 5.2-inch full HD (1080p) Triluminos display encased in an one-piece aluminum housing. Its the first device to include Qualcomm's new 2.3 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801, which offers faster clock speeds than the 800, and is supported by 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (with microSD support) and a 3,200mAh battery. Sony's using the same 20.7-megapixel Exmor RS camera found in the Z1 (although there's 4K recording support tucked away), opting for a slightly improved 2.2-megapixel shooter on the front. That's all protected from a watery demise by IP58 waterproof certification.
The Z2 includes 4K video recording at 30 frames per second with SteadyShot image stabilisation. You're not going to witness the full glory when you play a 4K video back on the Z2's 1080p screen (Sony maybe hopes that you'll buy one of its 4K TVs too), but you'll still be able to zoom in and inspect the stunning detail of your recordings on the device.
If specs aren't enough, Sony's also developed some new custom camera apps to get even more mileage out of it: there's Timeshift video, which'll let you shoot and quickly edit slow motion video at 120 frames per second, new creative effects, background defocus, and augmented reality options are now available for video. Unfortunately, Sony's limited Timeshift videos to 720p at 120 frames per second, putting a dampener on those plans to record a slo-mo of yourself on a slip-and-slide in high-definition.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,448
Likes: 1,577
From: Miami, FL
I won't post here since it may be fake but the leaked S5 pics are super meh. A little bigger but looks the same. Supposed to have the thumb sensor too but I think not as a physical button like on the iPhone.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 28,448
Likes: 1,577
From: Miami, FL
Azine Jabroni
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 2,226
From: Austin, TX
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 3,709
From: Vancouver BC
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
It doesn't matter what OS runs on their watch. It's not like you need to share apps between your phone and your watch. You just need bluetooth to connect and push apps onto it.
As android gets bigger and more bloated, it makes sense to use a hopefully lighter, smaller OS for watches. They have tiny screens and batteries, after all.
And I find the S5 a bit meh. A bit of waterproofing is welcome, fingerprint sensor is nice. Heartrate sensor is just plain weird. It's slow and not convenient, so is that really useful?
Heart rate monitor makes a lot more sense in the Gear than the phone itself.
I'll give kudos for the low power mode that turns the screen black and white and shuts down most of the sensors in the phone. That's cool.
Last edited by ChodTheWacko; Feb 24, 2014 at 05:34 PM.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
Been a while since I checked this thread out. Lol. Been so busy. Any one check out Roman Nurik's new app Muzei Live Wallpeper?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ik.roman.muzei
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ik.roman.muzei
Banned
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,761
Likes: 960
From: Kennesaw, GA
Finally got 4.4.2 on my One yesterday, and I must say I'm not impressed.
With Sense.
Too many eccentricities for me to keep going with it. Can't add Hangouts widget to home screen either via customization (customization menu is fucking stupid) or via dashclock, because it won't let you use dashclock as your lock screen. You have to swipe left, and you can only swipe left at the very top of the screen.
It's a great phone, but I'm done with Sense. I may try to find an AOSP ROM that I like. Didn't want to, but sigh.
With Sense.
Too many eccentricities for me to keep going with it. Can't add Hangouts widget to home screen either via customization (customization menu is fucking stupid) or via dashclock, because it won't let you use dashclock as your lock screen. You have to swipe left, and you can only swipe left at the very top of the screen.
It's a great phone, but I'm done with Sense. I may try to find an AOSP ROM that I like. Didn't want to, but sigh.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 22,909
Likes: 388
From: OR
Maybe I will get another HTC, or the LG Flex. My upgrade is in April so there should be a couple more options that hit the market by then (Sprint).
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,135
Likes: 4,445
From: Mooresville, NC
Disappointed by the S5. Waiting for the HTC M8 now.
Not sure I want a phone with 4.4.2 anyways since it apparently it completely breaks free WiFi tether now which I use all the time.
Not sure I want a phone with 4.4.2 anyways since it apparently it completely breaks free WiFi tether now which I use all the time.
takin care of Business in
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 30,994
Likes: 4,733
From: Kansas City, MO
^you're not on an UNCARRIER!?
you should switch and save lots of money.
I really think we are at saturation point....how many times can you reinvent the wheel?
phones are getting VERY similar.
and you cant really tell the difference between 8 cores and 2.
4k screen? you wouldnt even be able to see it....
you should switch and save lots of money.
I really think we are at saturation point....how many times can you reinvent the wheel?
phones are getting VERY similar.
and you cant really tell the difference between 8 cores and 2.
4k screen? you wouldnt even be able to see it....
Last edited by justnspace; Feb 25, 2014 at 11:27 PM.
I Shoot with a Camera
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 3,709
From: Vancouver BC
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 121
From: Ronkonkoma, NY
The fingerprint swipe scanner seems fine. I'm pretty happy with the fingerprint scanner on my lenovo laptop, if this performs similarily then it's fine. No it's not apple's sensor, but it was never going to be.
Last edited by ChodTheWacko; Feb 26, 2014 at 01:15 AM.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
^you're not on an UNCARRIER!?
you should switch and save lots of money.
I really think we are at saturation point....how many times can you reinvent the wheel?
phones are getting VERY similar.
and you cant really tell the difference between 8 cores and 2.
4k screen? you wouldnt even be able to see it....
you should switch and save lots of money.
I really think we are at saturation point....how many times can you reinvent the wheel?
phones are getting VERY similar.
and you cant really tell the difference between 8 cores and 2.
4k screen? you wouldnt even be able to see it....
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
That ibtimes website constantly churns out clickbait. All they do is float around rumors they pulled out of their ass. Google the same rumors, and you notice that they're the only ones reporting said rumors.
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,135
Likes: 4,445
From: Mooresville, NC
I have been reading lots of information about KitKat 4.4.2 breaking wifi tether. It started first with the Moto Devices that were getting it. Apparently google handles data differently now. When tether is enabled there is now a flag in the code to show which data passing through the device is from the device itself or from hotspot mode. There have been some tries to get around it if you are rooted. However, there are not any if you don't root. Even some of the root methods have been fixed now too. When I got 4.3 it broke the old way I used to do it. I then had to switch to FoxFi. Now whoever created FoxFi came out and said he doesn't have a way around the change in 4.4.2.
http://androidforums.com/motorola-dr...ne-update.html
http://pdanet.co/help/devices.php
http://androidforums.com/motorola-dr...ne-update.html
http://pdanet.co/help/devices.php
Senior Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 22,909
Likes: 388
From: OR
I'm eligible for my upgrade now but for the time being I will lay and wait. Nothing wrong with my EVO 4G LTE.
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52,768
Likes: 2,000
From: Phoenix, AZ
I have been reading lots of information about KitKat 4.4.2 breaking wifi tether. It started first with the Moto Devices that were getting it. Apparently google handles data differently now. When tether is enabled there is now a flag in the code to show which data passing through the device is from the device itself or from hotspot mode. There have been some tries to get around it if you are rooted. However, there are not any if you don't root. Even some of the root methods have been fixed now too. When I got 4.3 it broke the old way I used to do it. I then had to switch to FoxFi. Now whoever created FoxFi came out and said he doesn't have a way around the change in 4.4.2.
http://androidforums.com/motorola-dr...ne-update.html
http://pdanet.co/help/devices.php
http://androidforums.com/motorola-dr...ne-update.html
http://pdanet.co/help/devices.php
First the carriers blocked it and got sued into compliance, now the handset makers/Android Devs?
I don't get it. Why not just make this a standard option for Android "enable wifi hotspot"...