Having a calculator on your watch used to be an impressive feat, but how about an encyclopedia? A new app called Attopedia makes this possible by bringing Wikipedia to Android Wear. Making the most of a watch’s limited screen real estate, this informative software uses a grid-based interface for fast access to historical and trivial content.
Google helped law enforcement arrest a man in Houston, Texas by sending a tip to National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The search giant used information obtained from the suspect’s email account, according to a report from Business Insider. Already a registered sex offender, the man was previously convicted of sexually assaulting a child in 1994 and was recently caught after sending explicit images of a child via email.
AT&T announced today that it will offer the LG G Pad 7.0 LTE for 99 cents with the purchase of an LG G2, G3 or G Flex starting on August 8th. If you opt to skip on the smartphone/tablet bundle, you can purchase the G Pad 7.0 LTE separately for $150 with a two year service agreement or for $12.50 a month via AT&T Next.
The great smartwatch boom is starting to consume electronic makers and HP is not exempt. The company is partnering with designer Michael Bastian to produce its own next-gen timepiece. Unlike the latest wave of smartwatches from LG, Samsung and Motorola, Hewlett-Packard’s timekeeper won’t be based on Android Wear and will instead be a compatible companion for Android and iOS smartphones.
A beta for Google Maps navigation is now available in El Salvador, Libya, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Tunisia. While some countries may take this feature for granted, other territories don’t widely have access to this type of free software. For example, residents of North Korea have combined their efforts to produce a community developed version of Google Maps.
Google is reportedly in the process of developing a new platform that will let users create custom smartphone cases and wallpapers. Referred to as “Workshop,” the budding project only works with the Nexus 5 for now, but it’s possible that it may support other devices whenever Mountain View officially opens it up to the public. Still in its infancy, Workshop is comprised of two tools: MapMe and Moments.
Galaxy S5 owners on Verizon and T-Mobile are receiving new software that targets a few carrier specific items. Big Red’s over-the-air push for Samsung’s flagship smartphone brings enhancements to the device’s Caller Name ID, Message+ and cloud apps. The phone’s new software also resolves a lengthy list of bugs, such as Visual Voicemail when using an S-View flip cover, improved connectivity when streaming music and several stability fixes.
While many devices are making the jump to Android 4.4.4 or the lesser 4.4.3, Verizon’s LG G Pad 8.3 is just arriving at software version 4.4.2. Although it’s not Google’s latest and greatest, this is still an upgrade for those who invested in this carrier connected slate. The highlights of this new software push include: Immersive Mode, which automatically places apps in full screen view and LG’s Knock Code security feature that lets users set up screen tap patterns to wake or lock their device.
6Wunderkinder released a new version of its Wunderlist productivity app today and according to the company this is the software’s biggest revision yet. Wunderlist 3 ships with over 60 improvements, however its standout changes are a retooled design and real-time sync which keeps your lists up to date across multiple devices.
There’s been a lot of talk about the next iPhone launching with a highly resilient sapphire display, however phone maker Kyocera has managed to beat the Cupertino-based software giant to market with the release of its rugged Brigadier. Available now on Verizon for $100 on a two year service agreement or $20 a month via the carrier’s Edge service, this durable device targets people who frequently battle the elements.
Microsoft recently released Snap Attack, a word-building game for Android that places players against each other in a beat the clock tournament challenge. Games consist of two and a half minute rounds, where players from across the globe compete with each other using colored movable word tiles to “snap” together words on fixed black letter tiles across the game board.
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After weeks of leaks and tips, the LG G Vista has officially landed on Verizon. Priced at $100 on a two year service agreement, this handset is a case of a big screen and not so big hardware. The G Vista packs a robust 5.7-inch qHD display, a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing shooter and Android 4.4 KitKat.
Today, genetics research firm Illumina announced that Google Senior VP Jeff Huber of the search giant’s Google X lab has been appointed to its board of directors. After a year with eBay, Huber joined Google in 2003 and has worked on several different platforms like Maps, apps and ads.
Google announced today the availability of 76 historical sites in India that can be viewed from Google Maps or through the Google Cultural Institute site. These 360-degree photos will let you take a tour of the Kangra Fort without having to pack a single bag. Thanks to support from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), along with previous efforts, Google’s imagery of historic shots of India has surpassed 100 pictures, with locations like the Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb already available to view.
If you’d like to know what makes Google’s self-driving car tick, the company is hosting an interactive Hangout as part of its Maker Camp field trip program. The festivities start on Friday, August 1st at 11AM PT/2PM ET, but you can start asking your questions right now. In addition to a Q&A session with participants, Google will be discussing how its driverless car operates, as well as the project’s latest developments.
Motorola recently filed a trademark for the name “Moto Maxx,” which means the company could eventually use the moniker for a new smartphone or tablet. Historically Motorola’s Maxx product line has been connected to phones that feature extended battery life, while its Moto branding has been associated with affordable devices like the Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E.
Not letting medical students at UC Irvine have all the high-tech fun, scholars at Stanford University will be using Google Glass to hone their skills. The school’s Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery will use a mashup of software from CrowdOptic paired with Mountain View’s next-gen monocle to stream live feeds of surgical procedures while they’re being performed by residents.
Google Play gift cards are on their way to more European territories. Mountain View recently updated its support index for gift cards and promotional codes listing Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as “coming soon.” While these placeholders don’t give an exact release date, they do provide solid evidence that Google is bringing pre-paid Play Store cards to these new markets.
A lot of Android Wear enthusiasts are holding out for the Moto 360 strictly because of its casual appearance. So far most smartwatches have square faces that make them look more like a gadget and less like a fashion statement. While that may work for some people, others are looking for a timepiece that compliments their wardrobe, hence the Moto 360’s popularity. However, some recently awarded patents suggests that Motorola’s forthcoming smartwatch may eventually receive some round competition from Samsung.
Today, Square announced a new version of its popular mobile payment system that will support EMV chipped credit cards. EMV is a joint effort from MasterCard and Visa to help improve security credit and debit card transactions and is set to become a standard in the US by October 2015. In addition to EMV-equipped credit cards, the new version of Square’s payment system will still feature support for legacy magnetic strips, so customers will still have the option to swipe and sign.
StumbleUpon for Android received an update today that introduces a redesigned user interface equipped with one tap access to your likes, lists and followers. In accordance with Google’s new Material Design language, StumbleUpon 4.0 has more of a flat look and feel, along with slide-out navigation menus.
Verizon will launch the LG G Vista on July 31st for $99 on a two year service agreement, according to Droid-Life. We first got a look at this unannounced handset earlier this month and although it features a design style similar to LG’s flagship G3, the G Vista’s specs are definitely cut from a different cloth. This budget-friendly smartphone reportedly features a 5.7-inch 720p display, a Snapdragon 400 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, a 3,200mAh battery, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and an 8-megapixel rear-facing shooter.
Former Formula One boss, Max Mosley has filed a lawsuit against Google due to the search giant’s continued publishing of less than flattering photos of him with prostitutes at a sex party. In 2008 Mosley was awarded £60,000 in damages from a court case against News of the World after a High Court ruling. Now, the 74 year old former amateur racer is taking legal action against Google based on the company’s search engine reproducing images related to his previous case against the now defunct UK tabloid.
SwiftKey received an update today that resolves some of the keyboard app’s recent performance issues. According to the software’s changelog, users should experience improved typing, loading times, translations, and several other bug fixes for glitches that caused force closes. In addition to some much needed technical improvements, SwiftKey announced the availability of five new themes: Spotlight Purple, Edge Green, Pulse Yellow, Pulse Pink and Hazy Pink. If you’re interested in upgrading the look and feel of your keyboard, the outfit is holding a special summer sale that discounts prices on select themes by up to 33 percent.
