Saturday, January 31, 2015
Voice calling finally starting to appear for some WhatsApp users
Many users have been anticipating WhatsApp to finally bring voice calling to its application sometime in 2015, and it looks like the feature is beginning to roll out to some users. The calling, like WhatsApp messaging, uses an internet connection to place a phone call instead of relying exclusively on a carrier’s network to handle the call.
The updated calling interface isn’t available to everyone, but according to some Reddit users, if you already have the update you can get another person in on the voice calling action by placing a call to them, forcing the interface update. WhatsApp hasn’t made anything official just yet, so this is all pure speculation and trial and error.
Regardless, if you’ve been wanting voice calling through the app, you shouldn’t have to wait too much longer. If some users are seeing it, we can probably expect a massive launch for everyone in the near future.
source: Reddit
Come comment on this article: Voice calling finally starting to appear for some WhatsApp users
from Android News, Rumours, and Updates http://ift.tt/1tNFFzO
Android Headliner: About Time the FTC Stepped in about “Unlimited Data”
I’m sure everyone knows about the “unlimited data” that a lot of prepaid carriers offer. Where they say it’s unlimited but they actually slow down or throttle your data after a certain amount. Something many of you may not know is that TracFone is still around. And they own and operate a couple of the major MVNO’s, like Straight Talk and Net 10. This week, the FTC cracked down on TracFone and their MVNO’s over their “unlimited data” offerings. Basically saying that Unlimited data with restrictions is not unlimited data. And I completely agree. But TracFone, Straight Talk and Net 10 are not the only ones doing this. T-Mobile (both prepaid and postpaid), Boost Mobile, Sprint, Sprint Prepaid, Virgin Mobile, Cricket, are just a few.
So why is this a big deal? Well when you advertise “unlimited data”, you should be getting unlimited data. Now I’m fine with the fair use policies that a lot of carriers have. For instance, T-Mobile’s truly unlimited data is limited at like 10 terabytes. You will likely never hit that. That’s also a way to keep users from using their phone as their router. Since carriers are not ISP’s. Which I also agree with. Because these carriers are not ISP’s and should not be treated as one. Even though technically AT&T is an ISP, that is a different section of their company. While I do like T-Mobile’s plans of 3GB of data and then slowed after that instead of getting charged overages. I would rather them market it as 3GB of data, and not unlimited data. And the same for these other carriers. I’m sure the FTC agrees there as well.
This ruling basically affects everyone but Verizon. Coincidence? Well I’m not going to read too much into it, but this does affect Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T, so perhaps. But I do think this is a way for carriers to jump over to the data buckets and charge overages for going over that allotment of data, unfortunately. I’m sure I’m not the only one that hates overages, and I’d love for the carriers to bring back unlimited data. Although we know that’s not going to happen, carriers want to milk us for every dime. Even though T-Mobile tries to be your best friend with their whole uncarrier approach, the are also doing the same thing. As they do need to turn a profit.
So what do all of you think? Is the FTC in the right here with their stance on “unlimited data”? I think they are a bit late to the party here though as Unlimited data is basically out the door. Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.
The post Android Headliner: About Time the FTC Stepped in about “Unlimited Data” appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.
from AndroidHeadlines.com | http://ift.tt/1yVr4Ov
Latest CyanogenMod 12 Nightlies Bring The Boot Animation Back In Black
Were you upset that CyanogenMod changed its boot animation for CM12 (based on Lollipop) to a blinding white flash of branding brilliance? Then you really need to find better things to be upset about. Even so, it looks like the nightly builds released just a few days later have adjusted the boot animation once again, bringing it back to a more sober black. Here it is, for your viewing pleasure:
And here's the slightly older one, just for the sake of comparison.
Latest CyanogenMod 12 Nightlies Bring The Boot Animation Back In Black was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
from Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets http://ift.tt/1DrotAg
Motorola's Keylink Accessory Is Gone From The Online Store, But It Will Be Back In A Few Weeks
Yesterday ComputerWorld writer JR Raphael that the Motorola Keylink, the Bluetooth phone/key finder accessory that was released a couple of months ago, had suddenly vanished from Motorola's online store. This caused a certain amount of confusion and speculation that Motorola had discontinued the gadget, even so quickly after its launch. We reached out to our press contact at Motorola for some clarification.
No worries, absent-minded Motorola phone owners. According to a company representative, they're just out of stock, and will be for the next few weeks.
Motorola's Keylink Accessory Is Gone From The Online Store, But It Will Be Back In A Few Weeks was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
from Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets http://ift.tt/1wO5sTq
The iPhone Is “Terribly Boring” According To HTC’s Jeff Gordon
We’ve seen a number of companies announce business numbers this week and we here at Android Headlines have devoted a fair amount of website pixels towards covering this. Credit where credit is due, Apple have sold almost 75 million iPhones between October and December across the world. That’s more than one per person in the United Kingdom. This isn’t a great surprise: Apple invented the large screen device in 2014 and people have clearly flocked to buy one. If you detect a little bit of sarcasm, you’re absolutely right: Apple fans verging on the fanatics (there’s another pun in here too) have proclaimed the big screen iPhones to be amazing products, whilst a few months earlier, whining about big screen Android devices. Having seen, experienced and handled the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, they’re… okay. Nice hardware, nothing new here thanks, but the software ruins it for me. However, everywhere I look, people have the new iPhone and it’s boring.
I even went as far to pick the iPhone as a business handset, because I figured I wouldn’t want to work on it unless absolutely necessary (consider it a form of psychological home / work life balance) but after a week of it running out of battery and inconsistently connecting to a couple of the WiFi routers I frequented, arranged to swap it for a HTC One M7. Best. Decision. Ever. I’m sure Jeff Gordon, HTC’s Senior Global Online Communications Manager, would approve! This week Jeff congratulated Apple on their results and then said that the iPhone is “terribly boring.” And he’s right. Boring isn’t necessarily bad (sometimes I dream that all Apple iPhone buyers are indeed wrong, but I’ve always woken up so far!) but with so many of the world carrying the iPhone combined with Apple’s straight-jacket of control, everywhere you go, there you are. The old joke is that if you want to customize your iPhone, buy a new case or change the wallpaper. If you want to customize your Android device, there are a huge number of things that you can do to the software to make it exactly how you want it. And then change it the following day.
It’s probably the best problem for a business to have. Their mobile product is ubiquitous, tightly controlled, carries a huge margin on both the hardware and third party applications, and is designed to sell other Apple products. The smartphone product is boring but generally reliable (at least for the first twelve months), as easy to use and for some unknown reason, causes ordinary people to proclaim it’s the best thing, ever. I try not to let it get under my skin that Apple recycle existing ideas without improving them, causing legions of iOS fans to announce that Apple “made it work” or some such nonsense. And on that bombshell: brace yourself, the iWatch, sorry, Apple Watch is coming.
The post The iPhone Is “Terribly Boring” According To HTC’s Jeff Gordon appeared first on AndroidHeadlines.com |.
from AndroidHeadlines.com | http://ift.tt/1yYRzYg
Samsung Gear VR is to blame for the Galaxy Note 4 not having Android 5.0 Lollipop
Owners of the Galaxy Note 4 are probably wondering where the Android 5.0 Lollipop update is. The device is the newest to be released by Samsung and the software launched right around the same time as the Galaxy Note 4. Apparently, Oculus is to blame. The company behind Samsung’s Gear VR is busy adjusting the kernel specifically for the headset.
Source: @Faryaab
Come comment on this article: Samsung Gear VR is to blame for the Galaxy Note 4 not having Android 5.0 Lollipop
from Android News, Rumours, and Updates http://ift.tt/1Ac1V8M
TUDIA case for HTC One (M9) could indicate what it looks like
The HTC One (M9) will be introduced to the world on March 1 but we are learning about the device well before then. On Amazon, a TUDIA case for the upcoming handset was posted and customers can pre-order now. The case itself is obviously not what we are concerned with. Instead, attention is being given to the rendered handset encased.
Hit the break for more.
The rear of the handset shown here has dual LED flash next to the camera which its predecessor, the HTC One (M8), had as well. The Duo Camera setup is gone. HTC will be waving goodbye to its UltraPixel technology and welcome megapixels with a larger lens.
The problem here, though, is that it does not match the appearance of the One (M9) and One (M9) Plus that surfaced just a few days ago. The front camera is positioned to the far right rather than being centered like the Desire EYE. Also, the front speakers remain unchanged despite it being said that HTC would opt for a setup similar to the Nexus 9.
The Amazon listing says that the TUDIA case will be released on February 9; however, don’t expect to be putting an HTC One (M9) into it for a few weeks.
Source: Amazon
Via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: TUDIA case for HTC One (M9) could indicate what it looks like
from Android News, Rumours, and Updates http://ift.tt/1Lw5biM
[APK Download] Titanium Backup Updated To v7.0.0 With Better Lollipop And CM12 Support
Not long after some test builds were found in the wild, Titanium Backup has started pushing version 7.0.0 via the Play Store. The big jump in version number from 6.2.0.3 is not all that indicative of the changes, as most users still won't notice much in the way of changes. Still, there are some improvements that are always welcome.
What's New?
Here's the full changelog:
- Added support for storing backups into any DocumentsProvider (eg: on external SD card) on Android 5.0+.
[APK Download] Titanium Backup Updated To v7.0.0 With Better Lollipop And CM12 Support was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
from Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets http://ift.tt/1Di3Qq3
Odd Bot Out Is An Adorable Little Platformer-Physics Puzzle Game Staring A Robot Reject
Physics games are thick on the ground on mobile platforms. And to be honest, Off Bot Out from developer Martin Magni doesn't seem to offer much in the way of new ideas... at least at the start. But building on the basic tools introduced in the first few levels and expanding on them with a surprisingly rich physics engine, the game gets much more complex very quickly. Before long Odd Bot out becomes something that is, if not wholly unique, then certainly special.
Odd Bot Out Is An Adorable Little Platformer-Physics Puzzle Game Staring A Robot Reject was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
from Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets http://ift.tt/1Di3Q9o
Related Articles
