Underwater Sony Xperia Z3 uboxing shows off its killer feature [VIDEO]

Phandroid

Underwater Sony Xperia Z3 uboxing shows off its killer feature [VIDEO]

Although occasionally guilty of it ourselves, we’ll admit — smartphone unboxings aren’t always the funnest videos to watch. But alas, they’re a necessary evil, meant to give you a quick first look at what you can expect when you open up x device for yourself (and we typically mix in our first impressions to keep things interesting).

Earlier today, we saw what happens when you crack open an actual Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone, exposing all the modular internals to the outside world. Now, the folks at Carphone Warehouse are giving us a more unconventional unboxing of the Z3, taking the phone deep underwater in their latest YouTube video. Given that the Xperia Z3 has an IP68 rating in water, it has absolutely no problem being submerged in 1.5 meters of water. You have to admit, that’s one killer feature.

Check out the video below and be sure to let us know what you think. Cheers.

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Sony Xperia Z3 gets the teardown treatment, reveals modular components and parts

We’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Sony Xperia Z3 and its smaller sibling, the Z3 Compact. Call us sick in the heads, but we take a certain amount of pleasure in watching the disassembly of these tiny pocket computers with the Sony Xperia Z3 being no different.

The phone is the subject of a new teardown by the folks at Ewisetech, giving us an up close look at everything that makes the Z3 tick. For interested parties, take a look at a few of the upcoming smartphone’s exposed parts down below.

Unsurprising, there’s not too much different from the older Z2 model (this ones got more rounded edges). The back plate is removed rather easily, using some kinda of foam insulation to keep a water tight seal. Once cracked open, inside you’ll find the use of Samsung RAM/ROM, and a handful of chips from Broadcom and Qualcomm on the exposed motherboard.

If nothing else, we were surprised at how clean and modular all the internal parts were, leaving us confident that replacing parts on the device shouldn’t be too troublesome. Fore more pictures, check out the source link below.

[Ewisetech | via Xperia Blog]

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Pushbullet introduces ‘Channels,’ like a mix between Yo, IFTTT, and RSS

Phandroid

Pushbullet introduces ‘Channels,’ like a mix between Yo, IFTTT, and RSS

Pushbullet has slowly grown into one of those Android applications we simply can’t live without. Recently, we saw updates that brought the ability to reply to our phone’s SMS messages straight from our computers, and even universal copy/paste. Again, we can’t say enough about the application and how it’s helped streamline our workflow.

In a new update rolling out for Pushbullet on the web, the service is now introducing something they’re calling “Channels.” It’s a little hard to describe, but we’d liken it to services like Yo, IFTTT or RSS where you can essentially subscribe to notification feeds via Pushbullet’s new web portal. Once subscribed, you’ll receive notifications when something like a website publishes a new post, or when the channel owner wants to notify subscribers about some important update.

While RSS feeds are naturally the most obvious type of Channel, Pushbullet describes a use case scenario where small businesses, groups, or even teachers need to send something to all their subscribers at once. Sure we have email, instant messaging, SMS, or just about any number of apps that do much of this already, but the fact that it’s so easy to set up and configure on an app we’re already using makes it useful enough to give it a shot.

You can get started making your own Channel here, or subscribe to the Phandroid channel here to get notified of new posts, or even receive notifications when our weekly wallpaper posts go live here. You can find all available Pushbullet Channels by visiting the link down below from your web browser.

[Pushbullet Channels]

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Google Play is now showing Android developers’ addresses and pricing for in-app purchases

Phandroid

Google Play is now showing Android developers’ addresses and pricing for in-app purchases

In a followup to previous posts in which we highlighted some controversial new changes making their way to the Google Play Store — namely, developers being required to display their home/business address in app listings, and pricing for in-app purchases finally being a thing — it looks like both are now live on Google Play (app only for now).

While showing the price ranges for apps and games with in-app purchases is being lauded (still sucks that individual items aren’t shown), it’s the address portion that’s leaving some with a bad taste in their mouths. What’s the big deal? Well, the Google Play Store (once Android Market) was built on the backs of smaller indie developers — the same developers who may or may not have the money to afford an office or workspace away from home.

With their addresses now in plain view on all of their app listings, you can see how this could potentially create a weird situation if fallen into the wrong hands. What kind of weird situation you ask? Android developer Koushik Dutta of Clockwork Mod fame sheds some light on this subject with a brief anecdote on his Google+ page. The post describes a “creepy” situation he encountered after a disgruntled customer showed up to his place of residence.

“A few years ago, some guy bricked his Galaxy SomethingOrOther by flashing the wrong recovery. He started messaging me on Google Talk, and then on IRC asking for help. I told him I was not tech support, and that he shouldn’t have flashed the wrong recovery hoping it would work. I said to use Odin and find a debrick guide.

He knew I lived in Seattle, and said we could meet up for me to fix it. I declined. Twenty minutes later… I receive a call. It’s this guy, begging for help. I tell him that’s totally inappropriate, and that he needs to stop.

After I got off the call, I realized that the call was made from the call box downstairs, outside my building.”

We should note: the above stated situation occurred before Google’s new Play Store policies and wasn’t a result of the new changes. While it’s true, technically anyone could grab a developer’s addresses by making an app or game purchase and viewing their Google Wallet receipt, the fact that it’s now openly made public online is still a legitimate concern for some.

It’s being speculated Google was forced to go this route to stay in accordance with European laws and for the most part we get it. But it’s still unclear if developers can simply use a PO Box, UPS address, or if a physical home or business address is absolutely mandatory. What we do know is developers have 30 days to comply with Google’s request starting today, or run the risk of having their apps/games removed from Google Play.

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LG G3 officially headed to US Cellular next month

Phandroid

LG G3 officially headed to US Cellular next month

Not everyone is able to get service with the Verizons, AT&Ts, Sprints and T-Mobiles of the world. For those folks, some good news has arrived — US Cellular will be carrying the LG G3 starting in October. The carrier didn’t have any detailed release date information to reveal, though we do learn that it’ll be offered for $0 down for those on US Cellular’s Shared Connect plans.

That particular route will tie you to a commitment of paying the device off in full in 24 monthly installments, though you do get the option of trading the device in for a new one every 12 months. Not too bad if you like to switch smartphones every year. Be sure to check out our LG G3 review to figure out if it’s a good device to commit money and at least a year of your wireless freedom to, and stay tuned as we’ll be fishing for the final release date in the weeks to come.

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Android Deals: 30% off the Galaxy Tab S, 90s albums at 90s prices, and more

This week’s Android deals include sweet savings on the Super AMOLED-equipped Galaxy Tab S, your one-stop shop for password management, and classic 90s albums at vintage prices. Act quick. These deals are here today, but they could be gone tomorrow.

Hardware & Accessories

Take 30% off the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and unleash the beast that is the tablet’s high resolution Super AMOLED display. Normally priced at $549, the Tab S is available through eBay for $379.99 with free shipping. Also available is the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 for an affordable $339. [eBay]

Snag a Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX for $120 and get a piece of the name that started it all. The Droid Razr Maxx is one in a long line of popular Droid handsets from Verizon, and while it’s a couple years old at this point this refurbished edition is still a perfectly capable Android smartphone. [eBay]

Take flight with the $75 Micro Drone and wrest control of the skies. With a built-in camera, this little remote control flyer is one of the most fun and most affordable quad-rotor drones on the market. Normally close to twice the price, you save 46%. [AndroidArea]

Double your data at AT&T from now through the end of October. Sign up for a new AT&T plan at regular price and see your data allowance multiplied by two for the length of your stay at AT&T. Prices start at $130 for 30GB (normally 15GB) of shareable data. [AT&T]

Save 70% on Creative Airwave Portable Bluetooth Speaker and go wireless while you jam out to your favorite tunes. Normally $100, today only you can grab this mighty little sound machine for only $29.99. [Amazon]

Apps & Games

Manage all of your passwords with Dashlane Premium, only $49.99, and keep your passwords secure across multiple platforms. With apps for Android, iOS, and desktop encrypt and manage your login credentials for all your sites and services. [AndroidArea]

Become an elite Android hacker with this discounted bundle featuring 74 lectures and over 10 hours of educational content. Learn about app development, Java, and hacking techniques to test the stability and security of your newly created software. All available for only $39. [AndroidArea]

Apps

• Battery Monitor Widget Pro [$1.89]


• GeoTask Pro [$1.28]


• MIXTRAX [$1.99]

Games

• Chuck’s Challenge 3D Reloaded [$1.99]


• Osmos HD [$0.99]


• Scramble with Friends [$0.99]

Music & Media

Singles

• Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen [$0.69]


• Jealous – Nick Jonas [$0.69]


• Party in the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus [$0.69]


• Why When Love Is Gone – The Revelations [$0.69]

Albums

• ARTPOP – Lady Gaga [$5.99]


• Four – Blues Traveler [$5.00]


• Enema of the State – blink-182 [$5.49]


• My Everything – Ariana Grande [Free]


• The New Classic – Iggy Azalea [$5.99]


• Title – Meghan Trainor [$5.16]


• Tragic Kingdom – No Doubt [$5.99]

Movies

• Ender’s Game [$7.99]


• Forrest Gump [$5.99]


• Man of Steel [$6.99]


• Pacific Rim [$6.99]


• The Great Gatsby [$6.99]

TV Shows

• Scorpion [S1E1, Free]


• Tim & Eric’s Bedtime Stories [S1E1, $1.99]

 

[[Find any great deals not included here? Be sure to send them our way or share in the comments below!]

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Samsung explains Note 4 gap as a “necessary manufacturing feature,” says it may expand over time

Phandroid

Samsung explains Note 4 gap as a “necessary manufacturing feature,” says it may expand over time

Earlier this week we reported on an issue that Samsung Galaxy Note 4 owners in South Korea noticed upon picking up their handsets. The device seems to have a gap between the edge of the display and the chassis. The gap isn’t terribly big, though it’s apparently big enough to slot a business card inside. This is concerning mainly due to the possibility of dust, dirt or water getting lodged inside.

Funnily enough, Samsung already acknowledged this defect — in their Samsung Galaxy Note 4 manual. The troubleshooting section of the manual touches on the issue with the following explanation:

A small gap appears around the outside of the device case

• This gap is a necessary manufacturing feature and some minor rocking or vibration of parts may occur.


• Over time, friction between parts may cause this gap to expand slightly

We’re not so sure the word “feature” is an accurate way to describe what’s going on, but that’s Samsung’s take. Even more troubling is the acknowledgement of possible rocking and vibration with some of the device’s parts, and the possibility of the gap expanding over time. That doesn’t sit well with us at first thought, though only time and a good amount of use can tell if this would become a big issue down the line.

The user manual didn’t have many other details to share about the device that we didn’t already know. Its main purpose is to teach you how to use the device and all its features, so be sure to download it and take a read ahead of the Galaxy Note 4′s arrival around the rest of the globe later next month.

[via SamMobile]

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Samsung highlights 5 big features made possible by the Note Edge’s display [INFOGRAPHIC]

Phandroid

Samsung highlights 5 big features made possible by the Note Edge’s display [INFOGRAPHIC]

In case you were confused why Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge has a curved display, Samsung is looking to make it clear with a new infographic they’ve put together. Many people were rightfully skeptical that the Edge display would bring meaningful benefits as Samsung has tried and failed at a secondary display before. We’re hoping this time is different, but let’s let Samsung tell you why they believe the Note Edge will be beneficial to your mobile life.

Quick access to apps

The Edge display can give you access to your top apps so you can launch them from anywhere in the OS. We didn’t have an issue with the old sliding drawer from traditional Galaxy Note handsets, but making access to favorite apps more quick and efficient is always a welcome change.

Check notifications without interruptions

Since the Edge display can display information independently of everything else, you’ll be able to see incoming notifications no matter what you’re doing, even when viewing full-screen content like games and video. This also works for incoming calls so you won’t be kicked out of your game when an unsuspecting phone call comes in.

Personalization

We’re not sure how many of you care about personal expression outside the use of your standard wallpaper, but you can customize the Edge display to show whatever it is you want when it’s not in use. You can add images and text as you see fit, including drawings with the S Pen. Samsung’s main use case for wanting to customize your Edge display is when it’s sitting inside a folio case, but we’d imagine most people would rather have the display off whenever it’s not needed.

Quick access to live information

The Ticker Board app can show live information about stocks, sports scores, live news and Twitter trends so you can keep tabs on the latest without having to tab your way through a multi-step user interface. It’s nothing a typical notification can’t handle, but it does look pretty neat.

Quick tools

Finally, the advent of the Edge display makes way to quick tools that can be used without much effort, including a stop watch, a timer, a ruler, flashlight control and voice recording. Samsung has it 5th on their list, but we’d probably shoot this one closer to the top of the list of useful features the Note Edge enables.

Any of these features appeal to you or would you rather have a device with a straightened display? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

[via Samsung]

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Rumor: new HTC One Max coming with 5.5-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 805, 3GB of RAM and more

Looks like HTC could be hard at work on their next phablet. The company’s first attempt at one — the HTC One Max of yesteryear — was pretty decent, and now they’re could be ready to up the ante with a sequel. According to MyDrivers, HTC is currently on a 5.5-inch follow-up that will don 2560 x 1440 resolution, a Snapdragon 805 chipset, 3GB of RAM, a 3,000mAh battery and an 18 megapixel camera that has optical image stabilization.

On the side of software, the device is said to be loaded with Android L and will run an updated version of HTC Sense on top (Sense 6.5, to be exact). We’re not sure what the latest version of Sense will introduce once it’s made available, but HTC doesn’t often go with a major version change without bringing major features.

It was once thought that HTC would look to abandon the phablet space and work on their main flagship HTC One M8 after a lukewarm response to last year’s model. The HTC One Max came to the table with uninspiring specs and features. Aside from a fingerprint scanner awkwardly placed on the rear of the device it was little more than just a big HTC One. We wouldn’t be surprised to learn that recently stiffened competition in the category (read: Galaxy Note 4 and iPhone 6+) might have inspired them to reboot their efforts. Let’s hope they have something truly remarkable in the works.

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This is supposedly what the Nexus 6 looks like, and here are some of its early specs [Leak]

Phandroid

This is supposedly what the Nexus 6 looks like, and here are some of its early specs [Leak]

We’re expecting Google to launch the next Nexus handset later this year, but to this point we haven’t been able to get a good look at the device. A leak last week showed us a purported image of the device sitting next to an LG G3, though with its back plate looking quite similar to the new Moto X we had no choice but to approach it with a degree of caution.

Today, Android Police leaks a render of what they believe the Nexus 6 could look like. The render above was created based on what they’ve reportedly seen, though you should note that it’s considered a faithful recreation and not an official press render.

The Motorola-made device apparently shares a lot of the same design characteristics as the new Moto X, though it obviously comes in a bigger package of 5.9 inches. According to the report, the device features dual front-facing speakers, a metal frame, and a camera ring flash ala the Moto X.

Some early specs include its QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440, a 13 megapixel rear shooter, a 2 megapixel front shooter and a 3,200mAh battery. The device is also said to feature Motorola’s new Turbo Charge feature which promises to deliver 8 hours of battery life with just 15 minutes of charging. Software is said to be Android L, something not at all farfetched considering Google typically uses the latest Nexus phones to launch the latest versions of Android.

There wasn’t much else to be had at this point, though we did also get word that there may not be a smaller Nexus handset in the works. That doesn’t sound too appealing for those who aren’t into the phablet thing, but there’s still a slight chance that a smaller handset could be introduced at some point. Would you pick this bad boy up if it turns out to be the Nexus 6?

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Project Ara still on track for early 2015 release, will run on modified Android L version

Phandroid

Project Ara still on track for early 2015 release, will run on modified Android L version

It might still sound like science fiction, but it seems Project Ara is still on course for an early 2015 release. In a blog post posted earlier today, Phonebloks talks about how the Google ATAP team is gearing up to unveil the first fully functional Ara prototype smartphone — along with the release of a new Project Ara MDK — during their 2nd developers conference in December.

What’s more is because Android isn’t designed to support dynamic hardware configurations, Project Ara is teaming up with Linaro to have the device run on a modified version of Android L, Google’s next major Android release expected to launch later this year (October is the date being whispered around the web). The modified Android version will allow for users to quickly and easily hot swap most of the Ara modules — with the exception of the CPU and display — without having to first power down the device. This includes camera modules, battery modules, and more.

With partners like Toshiba, Foxconn, and more, all the modules will be sold in an online store or “Modular Marketplace” similar to the Google Play Store, and will need to be certified before being available to consumers.

We expect to learn much more during the devcon where we expect to see various modules and features never before seen on a smartphone. Pretty exciting stuff! If you’re curious to learn more, you can check out Project Ara lead Paul Eremenko’s talk during this year’s Linaro Connect USA 2014 event (starts at the 44:10 mark).

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Cosmos Browser now available for Android, lets you surf web without a data connection

Phandroid

Cosmos Browser now available for Android, lets you surf web without a data connection

It was almost 2 weeks ago we told you guys about a web browser making its way to Android that would allow users to browse the web without a data connection. Dubbed Cosmos Browser, the app is now officially available on the Google Play Store albeit, still in its very early stages of development. Still, you should be able to browse the web in a very limited fashion.

How the app works is by sending an SMS messages to Cosmo’s backend, at which point it will find the source website strip it down to its bare bones HTML package, then send a zip file back over to your phone. After that, Cosmos will intercept the package, and display it for you inside the app. Sorry, folks. If you’re looking to get your jollies off, you’re going to have to get your Android porn elsewhere. No pictures here.

For all those with data caps (or no data plans) dying to give it a shot, you can find Cosmos Browser via the Play Store link below.

Cosmos Browser (Playboard) | Cosmos Browser (Play Store)

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Motorola DROID Turbo benchmark boasts 5.2-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 805, 3GB RAM, and more

Phandroid

Motorola DROID Turbo benchmark boasts 5.2-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 805, 3GB RAM, and more

If the state of Verizon’s now active “DroidLanding” Twitter account is any indication (that, and a variety of recent leaks), we’d be willing to bet Motorola and Big Red are gearing up to announce a shiny new DROID phone in the coming weeks.

Rumored to launch as the “DROID Turbo,” we’ve already gotten a look at what the device may look like and although not the prettiest of Androids, the phone could carry some pretty impressive hardware under the hood. After rumors suggested as much, we’re seeing the device pop up again, this time in a GFXBench benchmark quoting specs like a 5.2-inch 2,560 x 1,440 display, Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB RAM, and a high resolution 20MP camera.

Unfortunately, there was no mention of battery capacity, although a recent FCC filing may have outed something along the lines of a 3,500mAh. Yeah, despite its arguably fugly looks, this sounds like it could be the one Android device to rule them all (at least, as far as raw horsepower and longevity are concerned).

It’s not uncommon for prototype or pre-production devices to make an appearance on the site, so this alleged Motorola Droid Turbo making an appearance really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Still, there’s always the chance something like this could be faked, so take it with a grain of salt for now.

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Google provides new details on Android Auto – talks about design, architecture, and development process

Phandroid

Google provides new details on Android Auto – talks about design, architecture, and development process

I think it’s safe to say we’re all anxiously awaiting the arrival of Android L, Google’s latest desert arriving later this year. But aside from a redesigned smartphone user interface with flashy new animations, it’s what Android L will introduce with Android Auto that really has our interest piqued.

Up until now, information about Android Auto was a bit scarce. Sure, Google had a landing page with signup information about what it will do, but additional information about actual development was absent. Today, Google is now providing Android developers with a brief overview about Android Auto, detailing areas such as design, architecture, user interface, and the development process.

Similar to Android Wear, Google is looking to keep things simple. Notifications will display in a very specific manner (just like Android Wear) and developers wont have too much leeway in how their apps can look when in media mode, Android Auto’s interface when handling music, podcasts, and other audio centric apps. For the most part, this means apps like Pandora will look nearly identical to apps like Google Play Music. While the general layout is off limits, developers can still choose their own icons, colors, or background images — but not much else. Android Auto provides a darker night mode, presumably switching on the fly once the sun sets (a feature we’ve seen in apps like Waze).

This will not only ensure a much more uniform experience, but ensure drivers will be familiar with all Android Auto apps out if the box and keeps everything safe and kosher with local driving laws as well as automotive OEMs. Google also assures developers that the tight restrictions make their coding life much easier in that they wont have to maintain a separate app specifically for Android Auto since it’s using the same functionality from their existing app.

If you’re a developer curious about learning more about Android Auto, or testing your app with the media client in the Android Auto SDK, hit up the source link below.

[Android Developers]

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Best Android apps from September 2014

Phandroid

Best Android apps from September 2014

Previous Best Apps of the Month

Consider this your wake-up call. September has ended. Summer is now just a memory as the leaves slowly begin to change color and football dominates the weekends. One thing that doesn’t change is the constant stream of new Android apps. September was a little lighter on app releases, but we still had some excellent ones make their debut. Check out the best of the bunch below!

Ask Me Anything

Reddit has finally released an official app, but it’s only for one subreddit. Luckily it’s for one of the most popular and  mainstream subreddits on the site: Ask Me Anything. With this app you can beautifully browse and participate in AMA’s. See when someone is actively answering questions, and get notified when popular AMA’s are trending. It’s an awesome app for Redditors.

Bring! Shopping List

There are many, many list apps available for Android. Bring! is a new list app that brings a beautiful UI, automatic sorting, Android Wear support, and list syncing. That last feature is a big focus in this app. Sync lists among your friends and family to keep everyone organized and up to date. Save time and money when it comes groceries.

Chrome APK Packager

Last week we told you how to run Android apps in any Chrome desktop browser. It sounded awesome in theory, but in practice it was difficult. A new app called Chrome APK Packager makes the process infinitely easier. All you have to do is choose an app installed on your phone and it will be packaged for you to install in Chrome. Easy peasy.

Comedy Central

Get the latest episodes of all popular Comedy Central shows with the new Android app. There are hours and hours of funny stuff to watch, assuming Comedy Central is included in your cable package. Get access to The Daily Show, Tosh.0, Key & Peele, Drunk History, Nathan For You, and great stand-up specials, Chappelle’s Show, and full seasons of returning series.

Commute

Did you know MapQuest still exists? They do, and they actually make some really nice apps. The latest is called Commute. This app proactively monitors the road conditions along your route and alerts you to travel times and incidents so you know what to expect on your way to and from work. Commute is a nice option if you’re not a fan of Google Now.

Hangouts Dialer

With Hangouts Dialer you can finally call any phone number in the world from your Hangouts app using your data connection. This app is required to activate phone calling functionality in the Hangouts app. After installation, you can access all phone calling features directly from Hangouts or use Hangouts Dialer for a shortcut to the dialer screen in Hangouts.

HomeTube

YouTube is a great tool for entertaining kids, but there is also a lot of inappropriate content out there. HomeTube allows you to select suitable content for your kids and then let them view it in a child-friendly interface. Kids can switch from watching a Curious George video to a Spider-man cartoon without requiring you to navigate them to the new content yourself. Less help from you is always a good thing.

Horizon

Shooting videos in portrait mode has become a real nuisance to many people in the smartphone age. 99% of video players are in landscape mode, which makes portrait videos look terrible. Not to mention it cuts out a lot of the scene. Horizon lets you record horizontal videos no matter how you hold your device. Hold it upright, sideways or even keep rotating it while capturing. It’s magic.

Noyze

The Android volume control pop-up looks nice, but its placement is not ideal. It’s always right on top of whatever you’re doing. Many root apps allow you to mod the volume pop-up, but if you don’t want to deal with root you can use a new app called Noyze. You can choose from several themes, adjust colors, and even adjust volume for alarms and notifications.

Sup

On the surface this app looks like a cross between Snapchat and Skype, but there’s more to it than that. When you send a “Sup” to someone they have 5 minutes to respond. If they accept the request it will open their camera so you get a live view of whatever they’re doing. You can even use on-screen controls to tell them how to move the camera. It’s free and fun.

WhoSampled

WhoSampled is an award-winning app from iOS now available on Android. With this app you can get answers to the questions “Where was this song sampled? Who covered my favorite artists? What remixes were made for this track?” WhoSampled is the music DNA discovery app that lets you explore the music connections in your music collection.

Android Wear Apps

Android Wear Speed

Android Wear Speed may be the simplest app for your smartwatch. All it does is display your current speed. You could be running, riding a bike, or driving your car. Just choose your units and go.

OneNote for Android Wear

Microsoft released a dedicated Android Wear app for their popular OneNote app. This app works with the “take a note” command, and allows you to add notes to your OneNote account. In order to use this app you will need the main OneNote for Android app. We wish Microsoft would have just added support to the main app.

VimoGolf

For half the price of a bucket of driving-range balls, VimoGolf delivers a golf swing analyzer right on your wrist. Watch your golf swing at up to 200 samples per second, as captured by the built-in motion sensors of your Android Wear watch. Snag the app now for $2 before the price goes up.

Wear Tip Calculator

Not many apps have taken advantage of the Moto 360′s circular display. Until now. Wear Tip Calculator is a beautiful and simple app for finding tip amounts. The UI is made up of a circle that is used to adjust the tip percentage. This is one of the first few apps that look great on the Moto 360.

Previous Best Apps of the Month

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Why did Google demand the Com 1 Android Wear IndieGoGo campaign be taken down?

Phandroid

Why did Google demand the Com 1 Android Wear IndieGoGo campaign be taken down?

We reported on the Com 1, a smart watch that was advertised to run Android Wear, a while back. The watch wasn’t attractive, powerful or noteworthy in any way other than a relatively attractive price tag, though it did catch our eye for being the first crowd-funded smart watch with Android Wear. It looks like there could be a bit of an obstacle keeping that from becoming a reality.

Google issued a complaint for a takedown notice to IndieGoGo on grounds of the campaign using unauthorized intellectual property in its description. We imagine they’re referring to renders of the smart watch with Android Wear depicted. IndieGoGo complied, of course, and you’ll find that the campaign page is no longer viewable to the public.

It’s a strange move by a company who isn’t known to be too harsh to folks wanting to use their imagery, name and software. Well, Phandroid and AndroidForums certainly didn’t fall under that banner, but they’ve remained relatively cordial otherwise.

 

One has to wonder if Google has an ulterior motive here, with said motive being to protect Android Wear and its ecosystem.

Google made a statement by forcing Android Wear OEMs to conform to strict user experience practices and limit customization to pre-installed apps, likely in order to make sure the earliest Android Wear products could receive software updates as soon as they were available as it looks to grow from infancy to maturity.

You’ll notice that all of the current Android Wear smart watches share nearly identical user interfaces outside of the few apps made specially for each device. We can totally see Google wanting to make sure there are no rebel smart watches out there by companies who haven’t conformed to usage agreements for folks to worry about.

Android Wear is supposed to be headed to AOSP at some point down the line so they certainly won’t want to stifle platform adoption forever, but for now it seems Google would rather keep a tight grip on things until they’re ready to let everyone else come to bat.

Of course, we’re not sure what’s going to happen once it actually does make its way to AOSP. As you know, Android for smartphones and tablets is available as a free and open source platform for anyone to use, but if you wish to use it with just the public license then you won’t be entitled to bundle the Google Play Store or Google’s crop of apps with whatever distribution you decide to release. There’s a good chance something similar will happen for Android Wear’s release.

So, sorry Com 1 — you tried, but ultimately it looks like Google’s not willing to let anyone and everyone advertise Android Wear watches without proper authorization, and maybe that’s all for the better right now. Let’s hope things change as the platform continues to grow into its own.

[via Crowdfund Insider]

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