Phandroid
Nest recalls 440,000 units, says ads will not be on their thermostats
Despite Google suggesting smart thermostats could have ads in the future, Google-owned Nest CEO Tony Fadell has come out to nip the fears in the bud — Nest thermostats will NOT be infused with ads. It’s unfortunate that Fadell had to come out and assuage fears of those who let their imagination get the best of them, but it’s hard not to think about the worst when it comes to statements like the one Google made to the SEC.
We imagine Google would definitely put ads everywhere if they could get away with it, though potential backlash and the effects of negative public opinion would likely deter them from ever going too far. Fadell saw fit to remind everyone that although Nest is a Google-owned entity, they are completely and independently controlled by their own internal management team — just as they were before the big acquisition.
It hasn’t been a very pleasant week for Nest thus far, as the company had to recall 440,000 Nest units due to a software feature that has been deemed potentially harmful in the event of emergencies. It was the “Nest Wave” feature, which allowed users to wave their hands to silence a fire or carbon monoxide alarm instead of having to physically interact with it.
Nest’s fear (which is really the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s fear) is that the feature could potentially silence or delay an alarm unintentionally. Nest says they’ve had no reports of damages caused by the feature just yet, but they want to take preventative measures to make sure nothing happens in the future. As such, they are urging existing Nest owners to connect their alarms via WiFi and download the latest update that will disable the Nest Wave feature.
We’re not sure how long it will take this feature to come back, or if it will ever return. But it’s better to be more safe than sorry, so if you have one of these alarms then be sure to grab that update as soon as possible.
[via re/code]
Phan Favs: The best music app for Android [Results]
Phan Favs is a recurring feature that turns the tables and asks you, the readers, about the best apps and games. It’s your turn to drop some knowledge on us! Read more.
Music has often been called the “universal language,” and it makes sense. Almost everyone on Planet Earth listens to some type of music. It’s no surprise that there are so many music apps to choose from in the Google Play Store. Whether you’re playing local media, cloud content, or using a subscription service there is something for you. Last week we asked you to tell us which music apps you love, and now we have compiled the results into a Top 5 list. Enjoy!
1. Google Play Music
I’m starting to notice a trend. Phandroid readers love Google apps, and why wouldn’t you? Google Play Music is one of the best music apps available on any platform. It combines all of the common music functions into one app: playing local media, streaming from the cloud, purchasing music, and a subscription service. Users can upload up to 20,000 of their ow songs to the cloud and listen to them anywhere, or get access to the full Google Play library for $10 a month. It’s no surprise this app won by a landslide.
2. Poweramp
While Google Play Music does almost everything, Poweramp takes a more focused approach. This app does one thing, but it does it better than any other app out there. If you have a large library of local media to play, and you want tons of control over how it sounds, and the ability to play many file types, this is you app. Poweramp is definitely the most powerful music player in the Store.
3. Spotify
One of the first music subscription services to gain mainstream popularity is Spotify. You get access to one of the largest music libraries on the planet, and you don’t even have to pay for a full subscription. Spotify recently made listening to music on mobile free, but in order to get some of the power user features you will need a subscription. You can get one for as little as $5 a month. Spotify is a great option for the music junkie that needs all music.
4. Pandora
Pandora has been around for a long time. A really long time. Still, it is an extremely popular music service. Pandora’s claim to fame is the personalized stations it creates based on your likes and dislikes. Many people swear by their Pandora stations. After you curate a station for a while it becomes the only thing you want to listen to. It’s no wonder so many people still use this service after so many years.
5. Double Twist
The most beautiful app on this list might be Double Twist. This gorgeous app is a music player, podcast manager, and it can sync with iTunes. That last feature is especially useful for any Mac Android users. Double Twist can also AirPlay music and videos with an optional in-app purchase. If you’re looking for a well designed app to play music this is one of the most stunning ones you will find.
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Those are your picks! Thanks for sharing your favorite apps with us. Do you agree with your fellow readers? If you think your favorite app should have been on the list make your case for it in the comments. Check out the chart below to see how the voting was spread out among the top ten apps. We’ll be back again soon with another edition of Phan Favs!
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