Hasta La Gadget!

If Amazon has its way, Google Maps on your Kindle Fire won’t be the default option for much longer. Back in September, the online retail giant introduced a beta version of its Amazon Maps API to see if it could go the Apple route by fleshing out its own maps platform. Now it’s ready to take the API out of beta after several months of testing and a lot of developer interest — Hipmunk, Evernote, Trulia and Zillow have already integrated it into their Kindle Fire apps. The API currently features interactive maps and customized overlays, and is now a part of the Amazon Mobile App SDK. It’s early days yet for the mapping service and we’re sure it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of the one from Mountain View, but this does mean a further step toward differentiation from the Big Goog. Let’s just hope this turns out better than iOS6 Maps and no one comes to regret it.

Filed under: Amazon

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Source: Amazon Mobile App Distribution Blog

Deezer may not be the number one player in the music streaming game, but it’s looking to gain ground on its biggest rival with the release of its “App Studio.” In addition to an “App Centre” for showcasing software that integrates the service’s catalogue, developers “can now place feature-rich apps inside Deezer.com.” The company also hopes that a partnership with Echo Nest should make it easier for devs to use music in their projects. A modest 8 items will be available in the App Centre at launch, including the edjing app for mixing Deezer tracks on virtual decks, and the cheeky Spotizr app for importing your Spotify playlist. The French streaming outfit has also been busy improving its social aspects in Facebook and through updates to its Android and iOS apps. Check out the PR below for more info on recent news, details on how to get developing, and the full list of launch-day App Centre wares.

Continue reading Deezer announces ‘App Studio’ for developers, ‘App Centre’ store and Echo Nest partnership

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, Software

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Via: TechCrunch

Google’s been kicking around the idea of pre-orders in its Play Store for a while, and now we know exactly how that’ll pan out. You can now indulge in some pre-launch book ordering on the website as well as on Android devices — the goodies are listed under the “New and Coming Soon” section. Take the plunge, and the dough will disappear from your account the moment the title’s out, landing instantly in your online library and apps. Weirdly, however, if there’s a change to the pricing or the release date, the order is cancelled, forcing you to virtually flash the plastic once more. Mountain View’s been right on top of the game when it comes to releasing updates, enhancements and bug fixes around its ecosystem, mostly anyway — and the latest addition might just tickle book shoppers more than some other ways we know of.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Google

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Via: PhoneArena

Source: Google Play

Sky’s Now TV service is continuing its uphill battle against the armies of Netflix and Lovefilm today, setting up camp in Roku’s streaming boxes. Matching its Xbox 360 launch offer, you’ll be able to try the service for 30 days without charge, but it’s added another enticing deal for the Roku launch — pay a reduced price of £8.99 for the first three months before the regular £15 per month fee kicks in. As well as boasting its exclusive Harry Potter catalogue suitable for a holiday marathon, we’ve been told Sky Sports will finally be coming to Now TV “in a few months.” Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts and Sky Living will also eventually be added to the service, but there’s still not even a loose date for those. Now TV might not reach all the hardware it intended to before the end of the year, but at least with this latest launch, Roku can start showing Sky it was worth all that cash.

Continue reading Sky’s Now TV service comes to Roku streaming boxes in the UK

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD

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After making an appearance earlier this month in a leaked image, the Samsung Galaxy Axiom is ready for prime time. The handset is now on sale at US Cellular for $79 with a two-year contract or $399 for those who aren’t fond of the commitment. Packing the expected Galaxy S III Mini-reminiscent specs, the budget LTE smartphone runs Ice Cream Sandwich, packs a 4-inch WVGA display, a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of built-in memory that can be expanded with a microSD card of up to 32GB in size, a 5 megapixel camera on its rear and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing cam. With NFC baked in, the Galaxy Axiom joins the ranks of devices that have support for Google Wallet. To pick up a fresh Galaxy family device and not break the bank, hit the adjacent source link.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Via: Android Community

Source: US Cellular