Google Search Can Now Check Your Hotel Reservations, Find Things To Do, And Steer You Back With A Voice Command

I'm planning a trip to India and Ireland next month, and since it'll be only the second time I've left North America, I could use a few directions. Google's various services are fine for that as they are, but the latest addition to Search is a handy one for anyone on the road. If you've booked your hotel online and received a receipt or confirmation in your Gmail inbox, Google will make a note of it.

Google Search Can Now Check Your Hotel Reservations, Find Things To Do, And Steer You Back With A Voice Command was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

from Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets http://ift.tt/1s2ufUt

Best Portable Chargers

Smartphone technology has come a really long way in quite a short time, essentially rendering quite a few “taken for granted” technologies obsolete. As we continue to grow more and more dependent on our smartphones, an aspect of these devices that is becoming increasingly frustrating is battery life. While OEMs do help you get the most out of the battery with baked in battery saver modes and features, quite a few users might find it difficult to get a full day of use out of their smartphones.

Samsung and LG have attempted to alleviate the problem by offering smartphones featuring replaceable batteries, that isn’t an option available with every device out there. That is where portable chargers come in. Giving you the option of charging your phone on the fly, with varying capacities allowing you to even get a full charge, portable battery power banks have become a key accessory for consumers.

Just like with the other top accessories lists I’ve tackled, I’ll be doing a mini review, of sorts, for each product, and listing their pros and cons. Here’s a look at the some of the best portable chargers available!

LimeFuel L156x

The first portable charger on this list is the LimeFuel L156x. Coming in at $49.99, the release of an upgraded version, the L156X Pro at the same price point, has resulted in the price of this version of the portable charger to drop to $39.99. Apart from the difference in price, the Pro edition features the benefit of 4 charging ports, as opposed to the 2 ports available with my version. Even with well over a thousand reviews, the LimeFuel L156x still boasts a 4.6 rating on Amazon, mostly because of the massive capacity of 15,600 mAh that it offers, which is a lot of juice at quite a reasonable price point.

Considering its capacity, the portable charger isn’t that much larger than some smartphones. It features a solid brick-like build quality, but is surprisingly light. The build material is a soft touch plastic reminiscent of the Nexus 7 (2013) and the black version of the Nexus 5. The charger comes with an LED indicator on the side, that shows how much power is left. It also comes with an useful auto off and on feature, which means that when the charger is not in use, it automatically turns off after just a few moments, and also turns on when something is plugged in.

A simple USB cable is to charge your devices, and the cable that comes with the device is a 2-in-1, with a microUSB port, as well as a lightning bolt, that is compatible with the latest iOS devices. Charging speeds are decent, especially while charging smartphones, but things are a little slower when it comes to tablets. Another addition, that may be something you won’t be using as often, is a built-in flashlight.

The Bottom Line

Best bang for the buck

PROS

• Massive 15,600 mAh capacity


• Solid build quality and surprisingly light


• More than reasonable price tag

CONS

• Slow charging speed for tablets


• Newer Pro version already available

9.0

Offering large capacity, and a relatively compact design, the Limefuel Blast 156X will charge your phone fast and wont break the bank.

Buy Now on Amazon.com

Anker Astro 5E

The next portable charger on the list has received even more customer reviews than previous device, at over 2,700, but has managed to maintain a similar rating of 4.6. This portable charger is the Anker Astro 5E. It is actually quite similar to the LimeFuel charger, and offers 2 charging ports, comes with an auto-off feature and also includes a flashlight.

Similarities abound when it comes to the features, but the real differences are with regards to the physical appearance. The Anker charger isn’t as long as the LimeFuel one, but is quite a bit heavier, and you get 4 LED indicators to show how much power is left. The housing is glossy, and slick to the touch, which was one of the reasons why I found myself reaching for the LimeFuel portable charger more often than not.

Priced at $39.99, and boasting a whopping 15,000 mAh capacity, this is definitely a more than decent portable charger option, and all the cons that were mentioned don’t particularly draw away from the experience.

The Bottom Line

A power bank with a large capacity

PROS

• Large 15,000 mAh capacity


• Auto off feature


• High rating

CONS

• Compact but heavy


• Glossy plastic build makes it slippery

8.5

While glossy and a bit bulky, the Anker Astro 5e won’t let you down, and can charge your phone in a flash thanks to its 2 amp charging port.

Buy Now on Amazon.com

RAVPower Xtreme

The next charger on the list, the RAVPower Xtreme, certainly stretches the limits of the definition of the word “portable.” Giving you the option to charge three devices simultaneously and boasting an amazing 23,000 mAh capacity, you get 2 USB ports for mobile devices, and a multi-voltage port that allow you to charge your laptop, Surface tablet, and more.

While offering a lot, a compromise has been made with regards to portability. The unit itself is very large, with twice the thickness and half the length of my laptop. But what it loses in comfort, it makes up for with compatibility. You get a slew of tips that can be used to connect to almost every mobile device and laptop available, with the only missing adapters being what are needed for Apple products. An LCD display shows you the voltage being used and how much battery is left, and it also comes with an auto-off feature.

If you’re looking for a single power bank to take care of the needs of all your devices, the RAVPower Xtreme is certainly the way to go. If you’re requirements aren’t too extreme, no pun intended, the $99.99 price tag may feel a little too steep.

The Bottom Line

A portable charger to cover all your charging needs

PROS

• Large 23,000 mAh capacity


• Multiple connectors included to cover almost every device


• Can charge three devices simultaneously


• Can charge laptops

CONS

• Very big and heavy


• High price point

8.0

If you want a charger that can charge a wide variety of devices, than look no further than the RAVPower Extreme.

Buy Now on Amazon.com

TYLT Energi 2K Travel Charger

The smallest charger on the list is the recently-released TLYT Energi 2K Travel Charger. This charger is quick to charge, and plugs into the AC socket directly, and automatically turns off when the charging is done. This charger offers a capacity of just 2,200 mAh battery, and is meant to provide you with a bump charge for your device. Basically, if you’re running out of battery, you can get a decent charge up to around 60%, that should give you more than enough time to get to a charger.

The charger has different colour indicators to show low battery, but these LEDs are low powered, making them tough to see outside. I was also hoping that I’d be able to charge this device using a cable instead of just connecting it to the wall plug, which would have also added to the ultra-portable nature of this charger.

The TYLT Energi 2K Travel Charger successfully met its Kickstarter goals, and is now available to general consumers for $39.99. As with every TYLT product, this charger is also available in numerous colour options.

The Bottom Line

The best portable charger for emergencies

PROS

• Ultra portable


• Can be charged by connecting to AC wall plug directly


• Multiple colour options

CONS

• Only 2,200 mAh capacity


• High price for the available capacity

6.5

Compact, convenient, and highly portable, the TYLT Energi can be a real lifesaver for those always on the move.

Buy Now on Amazon.com

ReVIVE ReStore RA4

Finally, we have a charger that actually doesn’t come with a built-in battery, but instead offers something unique. The ReVIVE ReStore RA4 comes with 4 solar panels that come in a folded design, that span 3 feet when spread out completely. The solar panels absorb as much energy as possible, but it’s important to note that if it doesn’t manage to store enough charge, it won’t charge your device at all.

If it does store enough, it will charge your device, and does so quickly, with a speed similar to what you’d get if the smartphone was plugged into your computer. The charger comes with pockets to store the device and USB connectors in, and comes with nylon loops that let you attach it to anything.

The ReVIVE ReStore is ideal for anyone out camping, or if whenever you find yourself outdoors for an extended period of time, without a convenient power source.

The Bottom Line

The best portable charger for the outdoors

PROS

• Ideal for the outdoors


• Pockets to hold device and USB connectors


• Unique concept

CONS

• If enough charge is not stored, will not charge device

8.0

For outdoor types and those often away from an outlet for days at a time, the ReVive ReStore is perfect for campers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Buy Now on Amazon.com

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/WMcsX8

Instagram Releases Bolt In Select Regions For Lightning Fast Photo Shares

Just a nearly a week ago some news hit that Facebook owned company/app Instagram, could be looking to take on photo sharing behemoth Snapchat with their own application called Bolt. It was discovered through a banner ad that they had placed for the upcoming application inside of Instagram, and as of today it looks like the new Bolt one touch photosharing app is launching on Android with a regional rollout. That basically means that they aren’t rolling this app out to everyone just yet but rather testing it in a few markets for now. If you’re an Android user in Singapore, New Zealand or South Africa, than you can hit the Play Store link and grab this app and download it now. According to the people at Instagram, they aren’t quite ready for a complete global launch of the app and they found these locations to be good testing regions for it before they plan to move ahead with a global release.

The idea behind Bolt is to allow users to have the absolute quickest way possible to take and send photos and videos to their friends and family. The action of using it actually sounds quite simple and does appear to be quick, or lightning fast, hence the reason why they chose the name Bolt for the application. If you want to send a photo to your friends, you simply tap on it and as soon as you lift your finger off of the screen the image sends. It’s that quick. No saving it and sharing it. No having to pick who you want to share it with or tag people so they can see what your latest pictures are.

The Bolt camera works in such a way that as soon as you open the app it brings up the viewfinder like your normal camera, and then you can tap on any one of your contacts faces that are shown at the bottom of the app interface to send them something. You just focus on whatever you want to take a picture of and then tap their face, and it sends. The videos work almost the same way except you press and hold on the picture of the face until you’re done recording. You’ll be able to add up to 20 favorites and organize them however you’d like. You can swap photos and videos between each other and as soon as you’re done viewing them you can swipe them away with a simple flick. Unlike Instagram, facebook, or a slew of other messaging apps, Bolt uses only your phone number to set up an account and connect you and not your email, which is how it auto populates your contacts into the Bolt app so you can send pictures. You’ll of course be able to block people that you don’t want to be in contact with, and there should be a mild spam filter built in. Right now there is no word on an actual timeframe for a global release, just that the team wants to work out any bugs and make sure things are smooth before they launch the app outside of the existing three regions it launched today.

The post Instagram Releases Bolt In Select Regions For Lightning Fast Photo Shares appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.

from AndroidHeadlines.com | http://ift.tt/1rZYKey

Xiaomi sells through batches of phones in China and India in under a minute

Xiaomi is known for selling through batches of devices in record time, breaking sales records just about every time it has a sale on devices. This time around, Xiaomi released its first batch of Mi 4 smartphones, selling through them in just 37 seconds in China. Unfortunately, Xiaomi didn’t disclose how many devices were in that batch, but it at least shows there’s a healthy demand for their well-priced smartphones.

The Mi 4′s predecessor, the Mi 3, saw an even more impressive sale in India. The batch of Mi 3 devices that were sold through Flipkart managed to sell out in just five seconds. Again, no word on exactly how many that was, but it’s still slightly impressive even if they weren’t selling millions of phones.

Since Xiaomi can’t keep their stock up in other countries, don’t expect these devices to hit American shores anytime soon. It’s just one of those things that’s fun to watch from a distance.

source: GSM Arena

Come comment on this article: Xiaomi sells through batches of phones in China and India in under a minute

Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

from Android News, Rumours, and Updates http://ift.tt/1tpr1Nw

Verizon’s LG G Vista will officially be available July 31st

We’ve heard a lot about the LG G Vista, and it looks like it’s almost time for the device to be released to the public. The G Vista will finally go on sale (on Verizon, at least) this Thursday, July 31st. The specs match up with what we’ve heard, including a Snapdragon 400 CPU, a 5.7-inch 720p screen, an 8 megapixel camera and 8 GB of internal storage, plus an SD card slot. It can’t stand up to the bigger LG G3, but as a budget option, it’s not bad.

The device will retail for $99 on contract, or $499 without. Since Verizon immediately put their G3 on sale for $99 when it was released, it might be better to just keep an eye on some sales to grab the bigger G3 for the same price, but if you’re looking for something cheaper off contract, it might not be a bad deal.

Would you be interested in picking one of these up?

source: Droid Life

Come comment on this article: Verizon’s LG G Vista will officially be available July 31st

Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

from Android News, Rumours, and Updates http://ift.tt/1oHXITk

Google Play Developer Publishing API now open to all developers

Google has opened up their Google Play Developer Publishing API to all developers on the Play Store, which is great news for anyone looking to add some extra functionality to managing their apps. The new API makes it easier to manage in-app purchases and subscriptions, upload new APKs for beta testing or staged rollouts, and create and modify Play Store listings.

Overall, this Publishing API will make it significantly easier for developers to handle the management of their apps and listing, which should, in turn, create a better end user experience. If you’re interested, you can check out the full details of what the new API can do below.

source: Google Play Developers

Come comment on this article: Google Play Developer Publishing API now open to all developers

Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

from Android News, Rumours, and Updates http://ift.tt/1oHXGuW

Facebook files patent for unibody phone design, could be new Facebook Phone

Despite the original Facebook phone and the HTC First both being complete failures, Facebook isn’t giving up on the mobile hardware business. The latest patent shows Facebook has ideas in mind for a unibody, slim device that involves “co-molding the display with the body of a device.” It sounds like something HTC would do, but this Facebook’s patent, not HTC.

The patent lists pretty detailed manufacturing instructions that include a removable sleeve for the device, so it would seem like something that Facebook has been considering for quite some time. Since this isn’t a patent filed by a hardware manufacturer, it’s not clear how Facebook plans on getting this device made, but it looks like they might be trying to enter the hardware market. It’s definitely a bold move for a social network.

Amazon has long crafted their own hardware to drive consumers into the Amazon ecosystem, where Amazon makes money on selling products, Prime memberships, movies, TV shows, music, etc. Amazon sells nearly everything under the sun, but Facebook doesn’t operate on the same business model. It should be interesting to see how Facebook plans on moving beyond just a simple mobile app, and if this patent has anything to do with it.

source: USPTO

via: Phandroid

Come comment on this article: Facebook files patent for unibody phone design, could be new Facebook Phone

Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

from Android News, Rumours, and Updates http://ift.tt/1AvXkMR

Rumor: Sprint Likely Won’t Be Buying T-Mobile Before The Fall

The Sprint/T-Mobile merger was at some point rumored to potentially happen before the end of the summer, but a new report from Reuters is suggesting that the deal won’t be happening any time before September. All four companies involved in this process have yet to present their case to the FCC and other regulators, and that is likely because they want to finalize and perfect their presentation as to why regulators should approve the merger before they actually present it. That will take some additional time which is possibly why we might see this deal pushed back, although we can’t say that we’re really all that surprised.

Plenty of speculation leads to the conclusion that the merger will never go through because regulators will continue to oppose it and eventually shoot the deal down. Although Sprint, SoftBank, T-Mobile, and Deutsche Telekom seem to be doing everything they can to move things along and get the decision to sway the other way. Both parent companies SoftBank and Deutsche Telekom have agreed on terms for the deal, including a total price for the buyout which consists of about $40 per share. That comes to a total amount of around $32 billion. Should the merger happen we would see the U.S. fourth largest wireless carrier, T-Mobile, become effectively part of Sprint with John Legere set to take the helm of the new merged carrier as rumors are stating.

With the added time to get the proposition in order in hopes to convince the FCC to let this deal go through, it may very well give all four companies the tools they need to make the case that this is a good thing for the industry. The merger has been in talks for quite some time already so a couple of extra months won’t be a huge difference to anyone that would be effected by the change, and if all goes well to bring up a better presentation to regulators over the merger by sometime in September, then by sometime mid next year or perhaps towards the fall of 2015 we could see a new Sprint with a brand new CEO. The FCC has for some time been a big advocate of having four large wireless carriers here in the U.S., so we wonder what could be done to convince them that a strong set of three on a more even scale would be better.

The post Rumor: Sprint Likely Won’t Be Buying T-Mobile Before The Fall appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.

from AndroidHeadlines.com | http://ift.tt/1klnMUK

Android malware can attack devices with “Fake ID” exploit

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard of any major security exploits in Android, but it looks like another pretty massive security vulnerability has been uncovered by Bluebox Security. The latest exploit takes advantage of Android’s failure to check the authenticity of digital certificates, allowing some apps to gain access to the OS and resources that they otherwise should not have access to.

Typically, Android checks an app for a digital certificate when it is installed on a device, and without a valid digital certificate, the app won’t have access to anything on the device. With this “Fake ID” vulnerability, an app can show forged digital certificate and bypass the check because Android does not check the authenticity of the source of the certificate. In extreme examples, this means an app can use Google Wallet’s digital certificate to access the pieces of a device that handle payment information, for example.

According to Bluebox, this security problem has persisted since Android 2.1, so it’s a very, very old exploit. It’s still present in Android 4.4 and the Android L Developer Preview, although there are some new security measures that limit the damage that can be caused. These new minor fixes don’t solve the issue altogether, however.

Google released a statement thanking Bluebox for their work in finding Android’s security holes, and they claim that they’ve updated Google Play Services and the Play Store to check for any apps that use the Fake ID exploit. So far, there are no apps that have attempted the exploit, but until devices get updated to the latest version of Android in AOSP (and OEMs push out updates to their customers) there’s still going to be the possibility of an app taking advantage of the hole.

As always, the best advice for staying malware free is to be extremely careful of what you install and where you install it from. Typically, apps on the Play Store are safe with just a few exceptions, but reading reviews and paying close attention to app permissions can go a long way towards staying safe on your mobile device.

source: Ars Technica

Come comment on this article: Android malware can attack devices with “Fake ID” exploit

Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!

from Android News, Rumours, and Updates http://ift.tt/1pCOHr6

LG G Vista rumored to come to Verizon with a massive screen and battery

Verizon subscribers are soon to be blessed with a brand new affordable smartphone, if the latest murmurs are to be believed. New rumors suggest an LG G Vista is to be announced by Verizon this Thursday, July 31st. It should carry a $499 price tag as an off-contract device, or $99 under a 2-year contract. It is not meant to be the phone of your dreams, but carries a fair price tag and some features that will seem glorious to many.

The device does sport a massive 5.7-inch screen, which should offer a good viewing experience, even if resolution is set at 720p. The lack of Full HD resolution will be easier on that 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, though. Not to mention, it will be much less of a hog on that massive 3,200 mAh battery.

Other specs include 8 GB of internal storage, 1.5 GB of RAM, Android 4.4, micro SD card support, an 8 MP camera with laser auto-focus and 4G LTE antennas (of course). One surprising addition to see in the listed specs is the inclusion of the laser auto-focus. This feature has only been seen in the high-end LG G3 so far. Does this mean it will be a technology LG plans to proliferate?

As always, take all of this information with a healthy dose of sodium. We can’t give you our word on rumors and leaks. No details are for certain until an official announcement comes, no matter how credible they seem.

With that said, we would like to point out that this device is looking to be a great smartphone for those seeking to spend a little less on a new Verizon smartphone. It should be especially enticing for those who treasure battery life. A 3,200 mAh battery, 720p display and Snapdragon 400 processor should equate to many hours of juice.

Via: Droid-Life;



from Android Authority http://ift.tt/1laQTop

Google Is Working With Linaro To Develop A Custom Version Of Android For Ara Devices

We haven’t heard a whole lot about Google’s Project Ara devices as of late but things do appear to be going full steam ahead. The latest details suggest that Google is going to be developing a special addition of the Android operating system for the Project Ara device. Project Ara as many people are already aware of at this point is the initiative to bring a smartphone to the market that allows customers to pick and choose the pieces they want in a smartphone to build up a device, much like you would do with a PC. Google is apparently working with a company called Linaro to develop this slightly different version of Android, and as CEO of Linaro states they and Google had to tweak Android a little bit so that it would be able to recognize the act of modules(parts of the different hardware that can be swapped out by users)being removed and inserted through the addition or replacement processes.

The act of removing and inserting your microSD card is a good example of what they’re doing with Android as the OS now already recognizes when you take out the SD for any reason, and likewise it recognizes it when you insert it back into your phone. However Linaro’s CEO George Grey said that additional work needed to be done to the OS to make the same kind of operation happen should a user swap out the camera, CPU/GPU, RAM, storage, or any other hardware modules that will be available as pieces for the Ara devices when they launch hopefully sometime early next year.

Grey also mentions that Android may not be able to recognize all modules, and that those particular pieces would require the module makers to set up specific drivers for them in a secure system to avoid any chances that the device could damage the system. Unfortunately there aren’t any details on what Android version number the team at Linaro is working with, but we will most likely learn about that later on as the release of Ara devices are closer. When Ara phones launch, they will start with an inexpensive base frame of the device, said to be around $50, which users will build onto with a selection of hardware modules to fit their device tastes, like a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and greater camera, but perhaps less storage.

The post Google Is Working With Linaro To Develop A Custom Version Of Android For Ara Devices appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.

from AndroidHeadlines.com | http://ift.tt/1tp87pX

Link Bubble updated with… Android Wear support?

Link Bubble quickly became a favorite among multi-tasking and browsing apps, allowing users to open links in what looks like a Facebook chat heads. That is the summarized explanation – those who wish to learn more about this app can find enlightenment at our Link Bubble review. Today we would like to focus on how the latest update makes this application even better.

Link Bubble has been upgraded to version 1.3, which introduces a plethora of improvements, changes and bug fixes. There is one addition that is a bit odd, though – Android Wear support. Don’t get us wrong, we are more than happy to see a handful of developers supporting our new favorite smartwatch platform, but it’s odd to think that a browser application can take advantage of Android Wear.

It’s actually not as complicated as it seems. Link Bubble sends text content to your Android Wear device, giving you a clean read from your wrist. This is, of course, if Link Bubble is able to extract the article content. Formats and other factors may affect compatibility. Link Bubble did right by making this feature text only. Obviously, Android Wear devices are not meant for internet browsing, and no one should try to make them such products.

Other improvements include the ability to hide a Link Bubble via the notification. This will leave the software running while not staying visible, which could be benefitial for, say, playing YouTube audio without looking at the video. Android L support, animations and Incognito Mode have all been improved, making for an overall better experience. And you can’t forget your fair share of bug fixes, which are definitely present.

The update can be had by downloading it straight from the Google Play Store. By the way, those who have been contemplating getting the Pro version should jump on the latest limited time offer. You can currently buy Link Bubble Pro for just $2.49 (50% off)!

Source: Chris Lacy;



from Android Authority http://ift.tt/1n06aZ7

Instagram launches Snapchat-like Bolt, not yet available in the US

After leaking out ahead of time via an in-app banner ad, Facebook-owned Instagram is finally ready to reveal their latest project: Bolt. Joining the current trend in mobile messaging apps, Bolt looks to take on heavy weights like Snapchat, while stealing the best ideas from apps like Taptalk.

The app looks to offer a way for quickly messaging friends with photos without the down time. In fact, things are handled so quickly, the app effectively replaces the shutter button with the face of your friends you’d like to share a photo with. There’s no way to share the same photo with multiple people, meaning you’d have to snap a whole new picture using the in-app camera (no gallery uploads allowed). Video is done by simply holding on your friend’s face/shutter button.

Once a received photo is viewed, it’s gone forever. One particularly neat feature is the ability to “undo” a sent photo by quickly shaking your phone after a photo has been taken. This should help avoid any embarrassment should you have accidentally tapped the wrong person’s face with your junk exposed. Also interesting is accounts use your actual phone number — not your Instagram or Facebook account — meaning you should be able to quickly access everyone in your contacts.

The app is seeing an official soft launch today and where we’d like to offer you guys a hands on or images, unfortunately this release is only available to Singapore, South Africa, and New Zealand. Instagram says they want to make sure they can scale things accordingly in other parts of the globe first, where 65% of their user base currently resides.

A few weeks back, we saw a survery showing only a very small percentage of Instagram users taking advantage of their newly rolled out Direct Messaging feature. We’re not sure how well everyone will take to Bolt, but in the search for that next best thing, you can’t really fault them for trying.

Download on Google Play: Bolt

[TechCrunch]

from Phandroid http://ift.tt/WM2XXX

Google Makes New Publishers API Available To Developers For Better App Management

As we always tend to state, Google loves to make things easier for just about everyone when and where they can. This isn’t just limited to users, or themselves, they like to make life easier on Android developers as well and that’s exactly what this new Google Play Developer publishing API is going to do for those who design, develop and publish their apps to the Play Store. Even if you thought taking care of things on the developer side with your apps was fairly simple before, they are about to get a whole lot simpler and quite a bit more convenient too.

The API is based around making the job easier when it comes to just about everything with the app publishing process. Once developers have use of this new API, they’ll be able to more readily manage nearly all the parts of production. Developers will be able to take their app apk and roll it out to the Play Store in various versions, like a beta, and a final production release for example all the while keeping both apks separate. What might be the most useful, at least from the sound of it is the ability to more easily track their app’s performance. This can help developers make any sort of changes or updates to their app accordingly based on whether they think their app could do better and how they could make that happen.

Developers will now also be able to receive alerts and notifications through email about anything that goes on with their application, whether it be users having issues with the app working or getting notified when the app is downloaded by more users. Keeping track of the ratings is important too, and this new publisher API will help with that as well, alerting developers when they get a new rating. In accordance with the ratings, developers can now also handle reviews and responses to those reviews better. The new publisher API will let developers bulk export all of their app reviews so they can analyze them any way they wish, which could be useful if they wanted to be able to read them on the go. If you’re a developer, look out for the tools to hit so you can grab them yourself and start working with them as we’re sure it’ll make your job easier, as Google has stated these are now available for developers to take advantage of.

The post Google Makes New Publishers API Available To Developers For Better App Management appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.

from AndroidHeadlines.com | http://ift.tt/1toQhn0

Black app – Indie app of the day

What is Black App?

Black App is an anonymous chat, call, and messaging service that connects you to people in your general vicinity. It boasts privacy by anonymously connecting you to others. It has a lot of potential uses so let’s check it out.

The interface of the application is very simple. You hit the search button and it finds someone near you. You can then strike up a text chat or send voice messages. The app is completely anonymous with no usernames or profile pictures and the voice communications are actually encrypted so the app does take some steps in keeping your conversations private. There don’t seem to be any advanced features like built-in emoticons, stickers, or even a way to send pictures. Just text chat and voice messages.

Where this app really shines is the use cases. Everyone knows you’re going to get the trolls and perverts who would use these anonymous channels to continue to be the unsavory characters that they are. However, you can also chat with random people without dating or hook ups in mind. The app isn’t themed or built around dating so you could really use it to strike up conversations about anything. If you happen to be out and bored, you may find someone to talk to so you’re not so lonely which we thought was a cool concept. Usually these sorts of things are

Where the app lacks is actual users. It has 1000-5000 downloads at the time of this review which means there’s a good chance that no one is using it in your area. If that’s the case, the app loses pretty much all reason to exist. On the chance it does become popular, it can be a lot of fun but early adopters may have problems finding a reason to keep this app around.

Anonymous is always good.

PROS

• Simple interface makes it easy to use and navigate.


• Anonymous chats and voice messages that are actually anonymous and private.


• Unlike many of these apps, it's not dating focused, it's communication focused. We liked that.


• Free with no in app purchases. For now anyway.

CONS

• The app isn't that well-known yet so good luck finding people to talk to until it becomes known or popular (if it ever does).


• Overly simplistic interface means a lack of any rich texting features which can be both good and bad.


• Some early bugs have been reported, namely in voice message quality.

7.0

Overall, it’s a free application so it’s not like giving a shot is going to cost anything. However, until it gains popularity (assuming it ever does), we can see it being hard to justify keeping it around.

Check out the last indie app of the day: AugmentedReality Color Changer

Source: Black App (Google Play Store);



from Android Authority http://ift.tt/1nEEj5v