Samsung has begun pushing out a firmware update for the Galaxy S 4, addressing complaints about limited storage space along with fixing a display glitch that led some users to see purple smearing. The new firmware, currently being released in Germany for the Galaxy S 4 GT-I9505 – the Snapdragon 600 powered variant – is
Google has released the stock Android keyboard as a standalone app, allowing those with manufacturer-customized smartphones and tablets – such as HTC’s Sense or Samsung’s TouchWiz – to use the default smart ‘board. Google’s layout, identical to what you’d find on a pure Android 4.2.2 device, supports gesture typing, auto-prediction and -correction, and voice dictation.
Even though we have the likes of Sparrow and Mailbox already competing to be the one to handle email duties on your iOS device, chances are a couple more options wouldn’t be frowned upon. Here’s where the rebranded Boxer and newcomer Dispatch come in. The former, which was previously known as Taskbox, is an app that thrives largely on a swipe-based UI, while the latter describes itself as an “action-based” client that gives you quick access to a vast set of commands (delete, favorite, ignore, etc.). Where Dispatch hopes to stand out from the pack, however, is by making email accounts friendly with things like Evernote, Reminders, Calendar and others, which will then allow you to easily add items such as tasks, notes and scheduled events to those apps.
Boxer, on the other hand, touts a built-in to-do list feature and integration with Dropbox, as well as support for a slew of providers — including Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, Exchange and, with the latest update, Outlook. The Dispatch and Boxer applications are $2.99 (for a limited time) and $4.99, respectively, though Boxer is making its own app a gratis download for the first 100,000 folks who manage to grab it. Interested in either one? Well then, it’s a good thing we have both links to the App Store down below — take your pick.
Via: The Next Web, Cult of Mac
Source: App Store (Boxer), (Dispatch)
After expanding beyond its Android roots last year, Any.DO may have managed to become even more popular thanks to adoption from iOS users. But even with the kind praise from suitors, the handy app isn’t resting on its laurels: earlier today the Android and iOS versions received an update which features a redesigned look and an all-new logo. Despite bringing a novel UI to the table, both Any.DO apps retain a similar focus on simplicity and intuitiveness — in other words, you’ll still be able to manage to-do lists by heavily relying on quick taps and easy gestures. All updates aside, Any.DO appears to be prepping a new product announcement, as its website is now displaying a message that says it’s “about to launch a new way to manage your day.” Any.CAL, anyone? We shall find out soon enough.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Via: MobileSyrup
Source: App Store, Google Play
Each week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology.
I just spent a week in Japan, where I attended my first Japanese wedding in Tokyo. It was lovely, different and the same all at once. I’ve been coming here almost annually since 1998, and while most things have remained the same, I’ve watched Japan’s pace of consumer technology innovation take a seeming nosedive in recent years. I have no solid evidence to prove this — just some observations.
When I first visited Tokyo in 1998, Japanese mobile phones were years ahead of their American and European equivalents. Japanese mobiles were lightweight, had high-resolution — for the time — color screens, allowed internet access and some even had video cameras that supported real-time video chat.
Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Peripherals, Software
Forget SwiftKey and Swype, Google’s bringing its own keyboard to the Android masses. As of today, users looking for an alternative to their OEM or third-party typing solution can head to Play and download the keyboard (supports Android 4.0 and up) for a “Nexus typing experience.” And don’t worry if you’ve gotten used to that swipe-to-text flow on that smartphone or tablet, that’s all still here, though Google calls its implementation Gesture Typing. There’s also access to Voice Typing, word prediction and correction, in addition to dictionary support for 26 languages. So if you’ve been harboring Nexus envy and want to bring that skinned device closer to Google’s pure vision, now you have a partial fix.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Android (Google+), Google Play
Hours after Google released the latest update to its Gmail app for iOS, the folks in Mountain View have pushed the new software to the Android faithful everywhere. While some were able to snag a look earlier this week, the retooled mailbox is now available for all. This version touts new inbox features, slide-out navigation, the ability to reply / archive / delete from notifications, improved search and labels API for third-party devs. Also of note: Google hasn’t nixed the Delete button, it just hid it by default. You can re-enable the feature in the “Archive & delete actions” tab of the General Settings menu by ticking “Show archive & delete.” If you haven’t yet recieved the signal atop your handset or slate, head over to the source link below to beam the update to your device(s).
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Via: Gmail (Google+)
Source: Google Play
In order to equip enterprise devs with the proper tools to create custom Maps, Google announced the Maps Engine API. The kit allows users to leverage the outfit’s cloud muscle to layer appropriate info on a Google Map and publish the results for either internal or widespread use. Direct access to Maps Engine is provided through the API and web, Android, iOS and server-to-server platforms are all in play. A few companies have already put the goods to use — FedEx is leveraging it to search its locations for the closest shipping option.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Google Enterprise Blog
Though Google chucked open API access to CalDAV back in March, it appears the company’s had a change of heart. Up until today, only a select few whitelisted developers could make use of Google’s calendar open standard; a decision it made based on actual usage data. But given the amount of feedback it’s received from blocked devs in the time since, Google’s decided to re-instate access to CalDAV APIs, in addition to those for CardDAV — a first — its open standard for contacts. The news won’t make much difference for Windows Phone 8 users (CalDAV and CardDAV support was already promised), but at least your third-party apps can now continue to play nice with your social calendar.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Google Developers Blog
Smartphone integration in cars isn’t exactly a novel affair in this day and age, even if it hasn’t reached its full potential yet. NNG (formerly Nav N Go), for one, seems to think it could help improve this type of implementation, which is why it’s introducing NavFusion. With the newly announced feature for its own infotainment systems, NNG says that it will be “merging the advantages of the reliable and deeply integrated in-vehicle navigation and the smartphone’s personal nature, internet connection, and flexibility.” To make this work properly, the company plans on offering apps for Android and iOS devices, allowing drivers to seamlessly link up their smartphone and be able to view a slew of info on the head unit — things like contacts, maps, navigation history and planned routes. NavFusion will be part of the new iGo Navigation, and while it’s still a work in progress, NNG’s quick to point out that it’s already lined up some undisclosed OEMs ahead of the expected launch in Q1 of next year.
Filed under: Transportation, Software
Source: NNG
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
