Yamaha updates AV Controller Android app for its networked devices

Yamaha is now ready to shout about its updated AV Controller app for Android, which it quietly launched on the Market a couple of weeks back. It lets you power up and control networked AV receivers from your phone or tablet, including switching inputs and selecting media from iPods and other devices connected to the receiver via USB. It also provides limited play, stop and forward control over compatible Blu-ray players. Some users report problems but most seem content, so it’s worth a spin if you have one the devices listed in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Yamaha updates AV Controller Android app for its networked devices

Yamaha updates AV Controller Android app for its networked devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now showing: Netflix 1.4 brings playback to ‘all Android 2.2 and 2.3 devices’

You heard right, film aficionados — Netflix has just updated its Android app in order to bring one major, major change: “expanded support for phones.” Previously, the app only worked on a smattering of smartphones, but as of today, v1.4 brings playback to “all Android 2.2 and 2.3 devices.” Congratulations — your weekend just got a lot better. Hit the source link to get your download on, or just visit the Market for an update if you’re already in the door. So much for those “hardware DRM requirements” we heard about at MWC, huh?

Psst… all is well at Engadget US, but our colleagues in Canada aren’t seeing the update yet.

Update: Seems T-Mobile’s G2x is left out of the “all.” Anyone else having issues with a particular handset?

[Thanks, 3vil and Brett]

Now showing: Netflix 1.4 brings playback to ‘all Android 2.2 and 2.3 devices’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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File Expert Android app taps NFC to hasten your Bluetooth data transfers

What may seem like technology thought up for insert-some-Bond-flick-here, the File Expert Android app has added NFC functionality to its latest build — making single-tap transfers a new reality. Like the previous rendition, it uses Bluetooth to send data, but a friendly bump replaces the traditional pairing process, speeding up the exchange dramatically (like we said, perfect for overworked spies). We’ve seen magic like this before, and we’ll certainly see more like it as NFC becomes more ubiquitous, but what’s next? NFC-to-NFC file transfers, no middleman required. Fist bump to that.

[Thanks, Binoy]

File Expert Android app taps NFC to hasten your Bluetooth data transfers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlackBerry to run Android apps on future QNX devices?

One of the biggest gripes from BlackBerry users is the lack of apps, which is why RIM hopes to boost sales by adding Android compatibility in future devices — DroidBerry, anyone? According to Bloomberg, sources familiar with the matter say RIM may add support for Android apps on future QNX-based devices, enabling access beyond RIM’s relatively limited App World. The feature is said to go live in the QNX-powered PlayBook tablet by the end of the year, but there’s no word yet whether the 2012 line-up of QNX phones will get a Google-friendly makeover. Rumor has it that anyone who bought the most recent batch of BlackBerrys won’t get to have a taste of Gingerbread, Honeycomb or any other mouth-watering Android flavor for that matter. Guess they’ll have to settle for plain old vanilla.

BlackBerry to run Android apps on future QNX devices? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android SDK add-on brings Market one step closer to your Google TV

We knew the Android Market was coming to Google TV and yesterday product manager Ambarish Kenghe announced the tools to make it a reality. The Google TV add-on to the Android SDK has been released to developers so they can begin the process of porting their apps to your 40-inch flatscreen. At the moment, only developers using Linux with KVM can use the kit but Kenghe says they’re working on support for other platforms. Apps that require unsupported tech like touchscreens won’t be visible on the market, so developers need to make sure their software is optimized for TVs before they make their living-room debut. Hammer your finger on the source link below for the inside skinny from Mr Kenghe himself.

Android SDK add-on brings Market one step closer to your Google TV originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ThinkFlood releases RedEye remote control app for Android, makes it even easier to sit around

Nearly two years after releasing their Red Eye app for iOS users, the convenience enthusiasts over at ThinkFlood have now brought the universal remote control to the Android community, as well. The app, which was released in beta a few months ago, allows users to remotely control their non-networked home theater, lighting and air conditioning systems from the comfort of their tablets, laptops or smartphones. Version 2.7.0 also brings plenty of customizable graphics and layouts, for those looking to add a more personal touch to their lives of leisure. Compatible with any device running Android 1.6 or later (including tablets running Honeycomb), the app features a built-in TV program guide that can be used with any display, but in order to take advantage of its other home theater controls, you’ll have to purchase networked ThinkFlood hardware products like RedEye or RedEye Pro (it’s not compatible with RedEye mini). If you’re interested in downloading the tool for free, check out the source links below, or click past the break for more details, in the full PR.

Continue reading ThinkFlood releases RedEye remote control app for Android, makes it even easier to sit around

ThinkFlood releases RedEye remote control app for Android, makes it even easier to sit around originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Minecraft Pocket Edition hits Android Market, only Xperia Play users need apply

Just a couple months after making its grand debut at this year’s E3, Minecraft has finally made its way to the Android Market, much to the delight of cube enthusiasts and time-wasters everywhere. With this new, Pocket Edition app, Mojang is hoping to faithfully recreate the Minecraft experience on mobile platforms, with a special emphasis placed on the game’s creative side. In version Alpha 0.1, users will be able to explore randomized worlds, invite friends to play along in their worlds and save multi-player realms directly to their phones — all while manipulating 36 different kinds of blocks from the comfort of their touchscreens. For now, the game will only be available for Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Play, though Mojang plans to release it for other Android handsets “in the near future.” You can grab it now for $6.99, or swerve past the break for more information, in the full press release.

Continue reading Minecraft Pocket Edition hits Android Market, only Xperia Play users need apply

Minecraft Pocket Edition hits Android Market, only Xperia Play users need apply originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Logitech Revue running Honeycomb caught on camera, looks pretty good

Now that eager hackers have actually managed to shoehorn the latest flavor of Android onto Logitech Revue units, the question is what does it actually look like? We got a few screenshots at Google I/O but now there’s pictures and videos popping up all over. One of our tipsters sent a few shots over, while the Channel Android folks on YouTube have posted a video walkthrough (embedded after the break). So far it looks good, with little remaining of the original Google TV UI, now replaced by widgets, box art-style listings of TV content and more. Thinking about dropping a Benjamin on one of these units and upgrading to Honeycomb yourself? Be warned — it’s very raw, so with no Netflix and not much app compatibility to speak of, remaining a voyeur is probably advisable for now.

[Thanks, Michael]

Continue reading Logitech Revue running Honeycomb caught on camera, looks pretty good

Logitech Revue running Honeycomb caught on camera, looks pretty good originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan’s Android app lets you charge your Leaf from afar, puts the ‘ease’ in EV

If you happen to be both a Nissan Leaf owner and an Android user, you’re in luck today, because the automaker has just released an official app that could make your life a little easier. With Nissan’s tool, you’ll be able to monitor your electric vehicle’s battery life and estimated driving range directly from your smartphone, which you can also use to remotely charge your Leaf, or start its air conditioning. It may not be the most groundbreaking app ever, but it definitely offers some welcomed convenience to Nissan’s growing base of EV drivers. Yesterday, the company confirmed to Autoblog Green that Leaf sales “crossed the 10,000 mark a couple weeks ago.” Exact figures are hard to come by, due to Japan’s summer holiday, but Nissan says it’s 100 percent certain that the milestone was crossed. Next up: world domination.

Nissan’s Android app lets you charge your Leaf from afar, puts the ‘ease’ in EV originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Community  |  sourceAndroid Market, Autoblog Green  | Email this | Comments

appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store

The Chrome Web Store welcomed a new arrival today, and it goes by the name of appMobi XDK. While the addition is targeted squarely at developers, it’s entirely free and packs quite a doozy — cross-platform HTML5 software development from within the web browser. As you might expect, the tool is perfect for making applications to run within Google Chrome, but get this… it’s also capable of creating native apps for submission to Apple’s App Store and the Android Market. Like any competent development environment, it features a full set of debugging tools, along with the ability to test your apps via on-screen emulation and directly from your target device. Hardware integration is accomplished with JavaScript hardware abstraction, which enables access to the camera, GPS, accelerometer and the like. Further, the platform boasts full compatibility with PhoneGap, which means you can easily transition if you’ve got a project in the works. If you’re already hooked, be sure to check out the PR after the break, which describes such goodies as in-app purchasing and secure user authentication, which are made possible with appMobi’s cloud services.

Continue reading appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store

appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 01:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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