Phandroid
Voice controls for media playback coming soon to Google Now
With the introduction of wearables and cars into the Android ecosystem the need for voice control is greater than ever. Android Wear and Android Auto are heavily dependent on voice for getting things done. Anything that requires a physical touch is a simple tap or swipe. You don’t want to be fiddling with your watch or car dash for extended periods of time.
Right now there is already a lot you can do with your voice on Android Wear and Auto. This is thanks to the powerful Google Now integration. Google is constantly working on bringing more functionality to Now, and it looks like media playback is coming next. Screenshots from a new version of Google Now show “play next song” and “stop music” commands.
In the video below you can see the “next song” command in action. The music stops while the user says “Ok Google, next song.” It also brings up a “Go” button that allows you to physically skip to the next song. These commands will come in handy especially for Android Auto. Now there will be no need to take your eyes off the road to hit “Next.” The update is arriving on devices as we speak.
Thanks everyone!
Robbers steal more than $6 million in goods from a Samsung warehouse in Brazil
It sounds like a plot taken straight from a movie script: a well executed heist at a big-name electronics company sees more than $6 million products stolen in the dead of night. And that’s exactly what happened Monday night at a Samsung factory in Brazil according to The Associated Press.
Thought to be an inside job, a group of 20 robbers orchestrated a raid of a Samsung factory, tying up 8 guards and using their IDs to gain access to specific areas in the warehouse. For good measure, they took 2 guards as hostage before loading up 7 trucks with over 40,000 stolen Samsung goods ranging from smartphones, to notebooks and tablets. Once everything was packed, the heavily armed men made out like bandits under the cover of night. Pretty nuts, right?
The police mentioned that, thankfully, nobody was hurt during the whole ordeal. Currently, Samsung is working with local authorities to try and piece everything together, reviewing surveillance video and investigating employees.
The first Android Wear custom ROM has arrived on the LG G Watch
That didn’t take long. After being available to developers for just a couple of weeks the LG G Watch has its first custom ROM. Regular folks just started receiving their Android Wear devices yesterday, but they can already start modding if they so choose. Welcome to the world of Android.
This first ROM was created by jakeday over at RootzWiki. He is well-known for being one of the first people to release custom builds for new version of Android. He did not disappoint with Android Wear. jakeday calls the ROM “Ghoma,” and it adds a few tweaks to improve Android Wear on the G Watch. It claims to bring better battery life and reduce lag between cards in the UI.
If that sounds interesting you can get it up and running by following a few simple steps. First, make sure your device has an unlocked bootloader. Head over to RootzWiki to download the files. Then follow the steps below.
Windows
- reboot (to make sure no extra apps are running)
- ensure windows drivers are installed
- ensure usb debugging is enabled on watch
- connect phone to computer via usb
- run windows_installer.bat
Linux
- reboot (to make sure no extra apps are running)
- ensure usb debugging is enabled on watch
- connect phone to computer via usb
- run linux_installer.sh
OS X
- reboot (to make sure no extra apps are running)
- ensure usb debugging is enabled on watch
- connect phone to computer via usb
- run osx_installer.sh
Android Deals: 50% off the LG G Watch, HTC One for a penny, and more
Nobody likes to spend money when they don’t have to, and we’re here to help out. We’ve scoured the web for all the best Android deals on everything from handsets and smartwatches to apps and music. You better act fast, though. Many of these deals are for a limited time only, so don’t say we didn’t warn you. The below deals were active as of posting on July 8th.
Hardware and Accessories
Get 50% off the LG G Watch and other accessories when you preorder the LG G3 or purchase an LG G Flex from AT&T. Normally $229, the G Watch could be yours for as low as $115. Also available for 50% off as part of this limited time deal are the LG G3 Quick Circle Folio Case with wireless charging and the Tone Ultra Bluetooth Stereo Headset. The LG G3 is available for preorder as of today (July 8th) for $199 with a two-year contract or as low as $25 per month as part of an AT&T Next plan. The phone ships by July 11th. [AT&T]
Get the LG G Flex for $99 from AT&T with a new two-year contract. The handset is marked down from its original price of $299. Purchasing a G Flex qualifies the buyer for the aforementioned 50% off the purchase of an LG Watch or other select accessories. More deals can be found at AT&T’s deal’s page. [AT&T]
Save $50 on an Altec Lansing Inmotion Bluetooth Speaker. Normally priced at $149.99, Amazon has the iMW555-BLK Imotion Bluetooth Speaker available for a limited time at $99, a savings of 33%. This speaker features NFC pairing and includes a battery rated for 10 hours of nonstop playback, making it the perfect companion to your Android phone. [Amazon]
72% off NXG Technology Wireless Bluetooth Headphones at Amazon. These wireless headphones normally priced at $52.99 can be yours for a meager $14.95. The high-fidelity stereo headset offers playback controls plus an onboard microphone for hands-free calling. [Amazon]
Get the HTC One M7 for a penny when purchasing from Amazon and agreeing to a new two-year individual or family plan with Verizon Wireless. The One M7 may have been supplanted by the One M8, but it is still an excellent Android phone in its own right. At $0.0.1, it remains a steal. [Amazon]
Turn your phone into a handheld gaming device for $75 with the Phonejoy Pro Gamer bundle. Compatible with devices running Android 4.0 and up, this handheld controller can be used both as a smartphone cradle as well as a standalone peripheral for use with tablets. The bundle includes the Phonejoy controller with hardshell carrying case, charging accessories and 3.5mm audio adaptor, as well as a tablet kickstand. [StackSocial]
Apps and Games
As always, Google Play and Amazon have some great deals on apps and games to offer up. You’ll want to hurry up, though, as many of these deals won’t last through the end of the day.
Apps
- Peek - $2.49 (was $4.09)
- QuickCoach V2 – Free (was $3.99)
- Jimi Guitar – $1.99 (was $3.99)
- RepetiTouch Pro – $0.99 (was $5.49)
Games
- Pipe Puzzle – Amazon Free App of the Day
- Blazing Star – $0.99
- WH40k: Storm of Vengeance - $2.99 (was $4.99)
- Warfare Nations – Free (was $2.99)
Music and Media
The deals aren’t done yet. Looking for some great entertainment options at rock bottom prices? Look no further. Here is just a sampling of some of the great deals on movies, music, and TV shows sprinkled across the web.
Music Albums
- Don’t Kill the Magic – MAGIC! ($6.99)
- 1000 Forms of Fear – Sia ($7.99)
- Rumours – Fleetwood Mac ($3.99)
- Modern Vampires of the City – Vampire Weekend ($3.99)
Music Singles
- Firework – Katy Perry (Google Play Free Song of the Week)
- Tennis Court – Lorde ($0.69)
- Love Runs Out – OneRepublic ($0.69)
- Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye ($0.69)
Music Compilations
Movies
- The Goonies ($2.99)
- National Lampoon’s Vacation ($2.99)
- Despicable Me ($2.99)
- Beetlejuice ($2.99)
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($2.99)
TV Shows
- Falling Skies (Free)
- Dual Survival (Free)
- Brew Dogs (Free)
- Gold Rush (Free)
0 comments:
Post a Comment