If you like strategy and turn based RPG combat, you’ll want to keep an eye out for Banner Saga from Stoic Studios. This RPG focuses on the viking legend and lore of days past. Besides the epic style of gameplay you’ll find within when it comes to tablets later this year, Banner Saga’s character and landscape graphics are all hand painted, so you know things will look gorgeous as you play them. The game is currently available on Steam for PC and Mac, so mobile seems to be the next platform to conquer, and we couldn’t be happier. Check out the trailer below to get a look at what you’re in store for.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Fans of Telltale Games episodic masterpiece The Walking Dead can now continue the legacy by grabbing up Season Two of the game. If you haven’t quite yet finished the first season, you’ll want to catch up if you’re planning on continuing the story. There’s lots of content here and that should be cause enough for an interest in trying it out. Which is exactly what you’ll get to do since the first episode is free, but all episodes after that will cost you over $14 for everything which is all done within the app itself as IAP’s. Pull up your bootstraps, get comfortable, and get ready for Zombie infested action.
Click here to view the embedded video.
I’d be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn’t an RPG fan, and when it comes to the cream of the crop Square Enix titles are usually up there. The World Ends With You is Square Enix’s latest game to hit Android, and yes like many of the others it is pretty damn expensive. $17.99 to be exact. We know that’s a bit steep for a lot of mobile gamers except for those that love Square Enix and are fans of this game, but don’t let the price deter you from at least looking at it if you’re even the slightest bit interested. With that said, I would personally just spend $3 more and get Dragon Quest VIII. The World Ends With You is a little bit different from what we might expect from Square Enix, especially when you look at most of their other titles on Android already. The graphics style is a mix of Anime and comic book art and actually looks pretty cool, and the gameplay is fresh enough that it should capture RPG fans looking for something new and different. Combat looks to be handled in a side scrolling action-beat em up style, which might make for a fun twist on the role playing genre. If you can get past the price of $17.99, the reviews seems positive and it certainly looks awesome.
This was our game of the week on Friday, but just in case you missed this awesome title from nostalgic SNKPlaymore, The Rhythm Of Fighters is definitely a game not to be missed. It takes the rhythm game genre and gives it a twist. By tapping each correct beat your character of choice lands a hit with one of their moves on the enemy. You can even string together combos and land special super moves, and doing so will sometimes even warrant help from your chosen support characters. It looks and feels just like this would have been put out years ago when the original games were being released, so it should play to the love of classic games for those that grew up with them. You can grab the game for $0.99 from the Play Store as of now.
Click here to view the embedded video.
The post Android Game News Weekly 06/29/14: Banner Saga, The Walking Dead Season Two, The World Ends With You, The Rhythm Of Fighters appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.
Emerging markets are fast becoming a major focus in the tech markets, Google included. During Google IO, Senior Vice President of Android, Chrome, and Apps Sundar Pichai spoke about Google’s goals in emerging markets. Pichai mentioned his home country of India, and was met with applause from the audience. While future plans of software and devices are the main ideas focused on during Google IO, there is always something that brings a touch of humanity to the company. This year, it was emerging markets.
Earlier in April we published an article that talked about how there is a shift in the smartphone market. That shift is towards emerging markets and the affects it has on OEMs. At that time, sales reports showed that smartphone sales in emerging markets made a jump from 27.4 percent to 39.3 percent in less than two years. The reason for this shift is essentially market saturation. Smartphone sales in countries like the US have either plateaued or declined. Samsung for example experienced an operating margin loss of about 2 percent during the fourth quarter of 2013. Then Samsung released the Samsung Galaxy S5, which was priced at about $200 at launch for US consumers on a two-year contract. Though a full priced smartphone can easily run customers anywhere from $600 to $800-that’s just the hardware.
In emerging markets spending money on tech gadgets isn’t as easy as it may be for some here in the US. Consumers in the US buy a Samsung Galaxy S5 with a postpaid contract for about $200. Then, to keep the service running, there is a cost per month around $70+. That pricing in addition to the two years consumers are locked in, means a price of $1,880 or more for a smartphone and it’s services. Those numbers don’t translate very easily into emerging markets, where the average annual income is about $1000/year. While this is an issue for both OEMs and Google alike, there are attempts to fix this. OEMS themselves have been trying to up their game when it comes to low end devices. While that is a huge help for some people in the already developed markets, these smartphones are just not priced low enough to make a huge impact. This is where Google has decided to lend a hand to OEMs while helping develop emerging markets and bring the internet (the last frontier, the true land of opportunity) to the people who may need it the most.
Google announced a program called Android One-which is not to be confused with Android Silver-during Google IO. Android One is a program that will have Google working with OEMs to design and manufacture high quality devices at beyond low end price points. In fact, Pichai noted that these devices will cost likely under $100 for customers. However, bringing great devices to emerging markets will not be enough. That is why Pichai said, “We are working with carriers to provide affordable connectivity packages for these devices.” There is currently no name for this program from Google bringing connectivity to emerging markets, but it’s a huge step in the right direction. Especially since bringing them affordable devices wouldn’t bring them connectivity and the same opportunities to grow like other countries have.
Details surrounding the methods of which google plans to take to bring services to emerging markets are still all but clear, which opens the doors for opinions and concerns to thrive and take footing-one of which is subsidized data. To see this work properly, Google will need to be making as much money on ads in emerging markets as they shell out. Since subsidized services means Google would make consumers in emerging markets only worry about purchasing devices (at $100 or less) and that’s it. Google could-theoretically-make their money back simply with advertising and all of the new eyes that would be seeing them. Though there is a concern that arises when talking about subsidized services for emerging markets. The US has study after study showing the addictive nature when it comes to internet or mobile devices. Emerging markets could be very similar if not the exact same in this aspect. The one thing that will definitely not change is business. Business will always be business, and what if the corporations involved begin asking more of these consumers? Only time will tell exactly what will happen after Google has made their move. Still, the idea alone is a very noble idea from Google. Just knowing that this is something they’re working on, that Pichai has not forgotten where he comes from, is enough to bring that touch of humanity to a technology based company.
The post Google’s Android One-Good or Bad For Emerging Markets? appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.
Until now, there has been no way to own a desktop running Chrome OS. The only similar option would be to purchase a Chromebox and hook it up to a sizable monitor. With the new Chromebase, there is an affordable Chrome OS desktop. On Amazon, LG’s Chromebase costs $329, down from $349. It ships with the all-in-one monitor, mouse, and keyboard.
Specifications for the LG Chromebase are pretty good considering the price. The 22-inch display has 1080p resolution and inside is an Intel Celeron processor (2955U) with 2GB of RAM. The RAM is a little iffy, but we’re sure not everyone is throwing a whole lot at a Chrome OS device. There is also a 16GB solid-state drive (SSD), but the cloud will be backing up this machine with the included 100GB of Google Drive storage. On the rear is one USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, and even an ethernet port.
Source: Amazon
Come comment on this article: LG Chromebase goes on sale through Amazon for $329
The new XLTE network over at Big Red is growing impressively. Verizon announced that the speedy network reaches more than 300 markets, just 200 shy of its 500 total for 4G LTE markets. While XLTE is not LTE-Advanced, it does bring increasing network speeds in those particular markets.
Other networks have similar approaches to this sort of network speed. Sprint calls it Spark and T-Mobile does not bother renaming it at all. AT&T, though, has not announced any sort of network.
Hit the break for the full press release.
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla., June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Verizon Wireless has expanded its newest technology — known as XLTE — in Fort Walton Beach to boost 4G LTE network capacity and enhance high-speed services for customers. Today, more than 300 of Verizon’s 4G LTE 500-plus markets have been enhanced with XLTE, with more scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
XLTE utilizes Verizon’s AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) spectrum, which allows Verizon to deliver significantly increased capacity — at a minimum, doubling the capacity — over its high-speed 4G LTE network. This means more customers in high-traffic locations can access the company’s most advanced technology at the same time to send photos, download videos, surf the Internet and use other popular applications on their smartphones, tablets and other devices during times of peak usage.
“Fort Walton Beach customers are especially mobile and enthusiastic users of 4G LTE — sharing photos and video, downloading large files, and staying connected to enjoy a great wireless experience,” said Krista Bourne, president — Houston/Gulf Coast Region, Verizon Wireless. “With XLTE, Verizon Wireless continues to enhance its network to ensure the best possible experience and continue to deliver on our brand promise to customers.”
XLTE technology is particularly effective in enhancing wireless network performance in settings with a concentrated group of high-data demand customers, such as densely-populated areas, rush hour commutes, concert venues, sports arenas/stadiums and other large event locations.
First launched in December 2010, the Verizon 4G LTE network build is virtually complete, covering more than 500 markets nationwide and nearly 97 percent of the U.S. population. Verizon’s XLTE deployment is a major part of the company’s ongoing commitment to enhance network reliability and superiority. The company has invested more than $90 billion nationwide since 2000 to build and enhance its wireless network, and consistently earns top rankings from independent consumer reporting and testing institutions for network quality and performance.
For additional information on the Verizon 4G LTE network, XLTE coverage markets and more, visit http://ift.tt/1ou9kuT.
Come comment on this article: Verizon’s XLTE network speeds reach more than 300 markets
Twitter tipster @evleaks has uncovered a possible new color for the Samsung Galaxy S 5. The posted image shows the device in a blue with some hints of teal mixed in, especially on the back. There is no indication of a network that this version could land on.
What do you think of this color?
source: @evleaks (official site)
Come comment on this article: Oddly shaded version of blue Samsung Galaxy S 5 shows up
Since the Android L developer preview was made available by Google, developers have been busy at working breaking it down and extracting code to be used on current Android platforms while we wait for the official release of the next version of Android based on L. One of the most noticeable changes in Android L is the keyboard which uses the new Material design framework. Developers had already pulled the apk for the keyboard out of Android L, but installation on other devices required root and some work with custom recoveries and flashing zip files. Now a couple developers have posted a version of the keyboard on Google Play that does not require root and only needs Android 4.0 or higher to work.
You can grab the Android L Keyboard using the download links below. If you decide to install the keyboard, note that you may need to visit the settings to get the Material layer to work properly.
Come comment on this article: Android L keyboard surfaces on Google Play
The latest round of devices to receive Android 4.4.4 include the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z Ultra, and Xperia Z1 Compact. The latter of the trio is already receiving the update to the latest version of Android as it has gone live in Russia, Italy, and Indonesia. The others have received certification to receive the update but there is no expected timetable for when that will happen.
Has your Sony device received the Android 4.4.4 update? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Xperia Blog
Come comment on this article: Sony readying Android 4.4.4 update for Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra, rolling out to Z1 Compact
Now that Slides has become a standalone app, Google’s productivity line has rendered Quickoffice useless. Google acquired Quickoffice in 2012 and its two year run under new management is ending. It will be removed from the Play Store in the coming weeks. Spiritually, it will live on within the Slides, Docs, and Sheets apps.
Source: Google Apps (Official feed)
Come comment on this article: Quickoffice being removed from the Play Store in the coming weeks
One of the new features that Google showed off in Android L last week was a new way of displaying notifications in a floating window that will pop up over running apps. If you want to get an idea of how this may work without installing Android L and you have a device running Android 4.3 or 4.4, you may want to check out the new Heads Up! app fro XDA member Dr.Alexander_Breen.
Heads Up! will let you whitelist apps that should display their notifications as “heads up” type floating windows. You can also toggle the options to ignore things like ongoing notification or silent notifications. The app can also be set to only show the floating notifications when using your device in full screen mode, such as when watching a movie or playing a game.
Check out the video and screenshots below that show how Heads Up! works. If you want to give it a try, it is only 99 cents on Google Play.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Get an eye on new notifications style in Android L with Heads Up! app
Android L has brought a new version of the Google Keyboard with Material Design and an optional white KitKat theme, but if you're an avid fan of Swiftkey, its predictions, and themes, or any other third-party alternative, you will notice that the option to select your keyboard is now down in the right corner of the navigation bar, instead of the notification drop-down.
The new placement makes a lot more sense, because keyboard selection isn't a notification, is it?
Android "L" Feature Spotlight: The Keyboard Selector Has Moved From The Notification Area To The Navigation Bar was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
