APK BRO™ - Download APK Android Apps: 05/19/15

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

These are the Android Wear Watches Getting WiFi Support

The big Android Wear update to Android 5.1.1 is beginning its slow rollout starting today. The update, as many of you know, introduces a bunch of new features, but there is one in particular that is somewhat of a game-changer – WiFi support. With WiFi support, your Android Wear watch can continue to receive notifications and allow you to interact with it even without a direct Bluetooth connection to your phone. That means that if you lost your phone, left it behind on purpose, or walked out of its range, your watch wouldn’t be reduced to a feature set that a feature phone would laugh at.

But there is one question that has come up a handful of times since Google first announced this update – which watches will actually gain WiFi support?

Android Wear manufacturers haven’t exactly been that up front in letting us know if their watches have WiFi capabilities, so we were sort of sitting back and waiting for Google or OEMs on an individual basis to let us know. In today’s update on the status of the rollout, Google did just that.

These are the watches that (at least as of today) will gain official WiFi support:

LG Watch Urbane
Moto 360
Sony Smartwatch 3
Samsung Gear Live

As you may have noticed, the LG G Watch, G Watch R, and ASUS ZenWatch are missing. That’s really too bad, especially since the G Watch R was supposed to be the king of Android Wear when it was introduced last summer. If things change from LG or ASUS, we will be sure to let you know, but for now, this is our list.

Via: Google Product Forums

These are the Android Wear Watches Getting WiFi Support is a post from: Droid Life

Giveaway: Win an Invite to Automatic’s Google I/O Party!

Automatic, a company that wants you to become one with your car through an adapter and smartphone app, is hosting a party at next week’s Google I/O and they asked if we could help spread the word by handing out invites (10 of them!) to our readers. Awesome, right? Company doing innovative things with cars and phones wants you to party with them for free in San Francisco – how can you beat that?

The party is sort of like a pre-party for Google I/O in that it goes down the night before Google takes the stage. So on May 27, you can have a little fun before all of the serious stuff takes place and you need to think about code and animations and cloud thingies and compatibility and fragmentation (hah!). There will be “unlimited” drinks (read: open bar), entertainment (like Mario Kart battles), and a bunch of giveaways. Oh, we’ll be there too!

Interested in attending? Here are the party details.

Who: Automatic is hosting the fun. Be sure to check out their website for more details on their product.

When: Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30 pm

Where: Harlot, 46 Minna St., San Francisco, CA

What: Automatic’s Google I/O kickoff party, ” Drive and Dev: Your Car on Apps.” Drinks will start flowing at 6:00 pm at Harlot in San Francisco and we’ll have an open bar and awesome entertainment. Talk connected car apps with hundreds of other developers building for the future of cars. We’ll be giving away loads of Automatic swag and other great prizes for the best Karting skills this on side of the Bay, so show up early to reserve your spot. *Please note that this event is 21 and over.

Will you be able to attend? If so, then please enter below! We will choose our invite winners on May 22 (Friday).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway: Win an Invite to Automatic’s Google I/O Party! is a post from: Droid Life

Deal: Kingston 128GB MicroSD Card Just $70 Today at Amazon, Others 70% Off

For anyone who needs a new microSD card or some other type of storage contraption, Amazon is hosting a sweet sale on Kingston products right now for up to 70% off.

One deal in particular that caught our attention is the 128GB microSDXC card and adapter for $70, down from its regular price of $195. There are also smaller capacity cards, in case your storage needs are not that extreme, such as this 64GB option for just $25.

Many smartphones feature slots for expandable storage, allowing owners to bump up the amount of photos or other data they can keep on any given device. Of course, if you bought a new Galaxy S6, none of these options will work for you. Sorry.

If you need a new card, click that link below.

Amazon Link

Deal: Kingston 128GB MicroSD Card Just $70 Today at Amazon, Others 70% Off is a post from: Droid Life

Android 5.1.1 Update for Android Wear Should Start Rolling Out to Devices Today

Back in late April, Google announced that a new version of Android Wear would soon be arriving on your favorite smartwatch with features like WiFi support, emoji drawing, an app launcher, wrist flick navigation gesture, and more. They also mentioned that this new version of their wearable platform would first be available on LG’s new Watch Urbane (our review) before anyone else would see it. That bit about it being on the Watch Urbane first certainly seemed to imply that some sort of back alley deal had been made with LG in order to hopefully boost early sales of their new “premium” watch for a couple of weeks. Who knows if it helped, but today, that exclusive on Android 5.1.1 for Android Wear seems to have ended and Google has begun pushing updates to the rest of their smartwatch line-up.

According to a post over at Google’s product forums, Google has refreshed our memory of the update’s features, but also noted that it should roll out “gradually in the coming days and weeks” to all.

We have been checking our stash of Android Wear devices (Moto 360s, G Watch R, etc.) for the last couple of hours, ever since Google first posted this news and haven’t seen the update on any of them. That doesn’t mean it isn’t rolling out, though, so be sure to check yours.

Below is our video tour of Android 5.1.1 for Android Wear to help refresh your memory on all the new goodness.

Anyone get the update?

Via: Google Product Forums

Cheers Ryan!

Android 5.1.1 Update for Android Wear Should Start Rolling Out to Devices Today is a post from: Droid Life

Report: Google to Launch Standalone Photo Sharing and Storage Service at Google I/O Next Week

According to sources of Bloomberg, Google’s rumored standalone photo service, which will be entirely separate from Google+, will launch next week during Google I/O. The service could feature many of the things we know and love about the current Photos service from Google, such as Auto Awesome, but the ties to Google+ will no longer be there.

When photos are taken on your device, you will be able to store them in the cloud, and then share them to friends and family if you want. Other than that, there are no additional feature details and no word on how much storage Google will offer yet or anything like that.

Google I/O kicks off next week on May 28, with the keynote beginning at 9:30am PST.

Are you ready?

Via: Bloomberg

Report: Google to Launch Standalone Photo Sharing and Storage Service at Google I/O Next Week is a post from: Droid Life

Deal: Unlocked Galaxy S6 for Under $590 With This Code on eBay

Yesterday, I ranted a little about why I’m such a fan of unlocked phones. One of the reasons I noted had to do with the fact that there are always insanely good deals on unlocked phones to be had, as long as you have a little patience in waiting for them to arrive. Weeks like this were exactly what I was referring to. Thanks to a coupon code, you can nab a brand new, unlocked Galaxy S6 (SM-G920I) in black or white for under $590.

That’s a crazy deal! That’s even cheaper than Verizon is selling the phone at full retail. T-Mobile and AT&T each want at least another $90 over that price. We are talking less than $600 for what I would consider to be the best phone on the planet at the moment and maybe for the foreseeable future.

In order to grab the deal, you will need to use coupon code “CDTECH10″ at checkout. And actually, that coupon code is good for 10% off $200+ electronics orders, so you could potentially buy all sorts of goodies at really good discounts. The discount does cap at $50, though.

eBay Links: Galaxy S6 (SM-G920I, Black Sapphire) | Galaxy S6 (SM-G920I, White)

Cheers Ryan and Apollo!

Deal: Unlocked Galaxy S6 for Under $590 With This Code on eBay is a post from: Droid Life

Reminder: One More Day to Enter for Chance to Win Huawei Watch

As a simple reminder, time is running out to enter for your chance to win a Huawei Watch from the DL Deals Store. The Huawei Watch was shown off during this year’s MWC in Barcelona, and frankly, it’s easily one of the best looking Android Wear devices soon to be available on the market.

Entering these giveaways is very easy. All you need to do is head on over to our deals page, sign up (takes less than 1 minute), then enter the contest. To gain more entries, you will need to share the giveaway through your social channels (Google+, Twitter), but that is only if you need more of a chance to win.

As a reminder, there is no set release date for the Huawei Watch, but when it is available, our winner should be one of the first people to own it.

The giveaway will be closed at 11:59pm (PST) tomorrow night.

Good luck!

Enter Here

Reminder: One More Day to Enter for Chance to Win Huawei Watch is a post from: Droid Life

Tweets Now Show in Google Search Results on Mobile

How much more useful would Google Search results be if they displayed real-time content? For example, if you searched last week for information on the Amtrak crash in Philadelphia, it might have taken longer than your patience could handle before a news outlet had any up-to-the-minute information on it that would display as a news result in Google’s listings for that search. Starting today, that will no longer be an issue as Google has teamed up with Twitter to add Tweets to search results, giving you real-time info as it happens through the voices of those on Twitter.

To see how Tweets will appear, check out the image at the top of this post.

The new feature will be available starting today (with a slow rollout) in in English through the Google app on Android and iOS, and in mobile browsers. In the future, Google will add Tweets to search results in other languages and on the desktop.

Tweets in Google Search results – good, bad, useful, or will they just clutter up your results list?

Via: Google Blog

Tweets Now Show in Google Search Results on Mobile is a post from: Droid Life

Instagram Releases Layout for Android, Intros Structure Tool for Official App

A new app from the developers at Instagram launched onto Google Play today, titled Layout, allowing Android users to create nifty collages with their photos. This same app was made available to iOS users not too long ago. To sum it up, you choose photos in your gallery, rotate and mirror however you want, then upload them to Instagram. Very basic, very easy.

When making a collage, you can have up to 9 photos selected, plus there is a face recognition tool that will highlight photos with faces in them. Once you have the layout you want, you can save the collage as a single photo to your gallery, sharable through any application on your phone.

It’s interesting that this simplistic feature could not just be added to the existing Instagram app, but hey, we’ll take it.

In addition to the release of Layout, Instagram also announced Structure, a tool for Android users to highlight textures and details within a photo. Structure should go live in the official Instagram app via an update sometime today in Google Play.

Go check it out.

Play Link

Via: @Instagram

Instagram Releases Layout for Android, Intros Structure Tool for Official App is a post from: Droid Life

Verizon’s XLTE Hits 1-year Anniversary, Adds Six New Markets

Just over a year ago, we exclusively reported that Verizon was going to put to use their AWS spectrum (band 4 LTE) in markets across the country to double the 4G LTE bandwidth of their current network and improve speeds in areas that were starting to suffer from heavy amounts of traffic. We reported then that they would call this major upgrade XLTE. A week after our report, Verizon confirmed the news by launching XLTE in more than 250 markets across the US.

So here we are exactly 1-year from the launch of XLTE and Verizon has some info to share, along with a few new markets to introduce.

According to Verizon, XLTE is now in over 400 markets, which includes both major cities and rural areas. They have over 40 devices available that support XLTE and its two LTE bands of 4 and 13, including the Galaxy series, DROID Turbo, and iPhones.

As for the new markets, there are six of them:

Madisonville, KY
Marshalltown, IA
Martinsville, VA
Meridian, MS
Owensboro, KY
Traverse City, MI

To top off Verizon’s celebration, they also put together this infographic that walks through some of the numbers I just mentioned plus some other tidbits about their total number of 4G LTE markets, percentage of the US that is covered by LTE, etc.

After you check that out, let us know what your Verizon LTE has been like since they launched XLTE. Are you seeing faster speeds again?

Via: Verizon

Verizon’s XLTE Hits 1-year Anniversary, Adds Six New Markets is a post from: Droid Life

Microsoft Office Preview Apps Now Available for Android Phones, Includes PowerPoint, Excel, and Word

For all of your Microsoft Office users, Bellevue has uploaded preview apps compatible on phones to Google Play for Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Given these are previews, you can’t expect complete functionality and perfect performance, but this is a great step forward for smartphone users.

Once you have the apps loaded up, you can tweak all of your work on the made-for-mobile apps, then share them through any other compatible application on your phone.

To download these apps to your phone, join this Google+ community, then follow the links listed here to become a tester for each app. Once you have followed these steps, you can find the apps on Google Play and download them.

Have at it.

Play Links: Excel | PowerPoint | Word

Via: Microsoft Office for Android

Microsoft Office Preview Apps Now Available for Android Phones, Includes PowerPoint, Excel, and Word is a post from: Droid Life

YotaPhone 2 Hits Indiegogo – Pre-Order for $525, Estimated to Ship in August

The YotaPhone 2, announced all the way back in December of last year, is now up for order through Indiegogo. The company set a goal of $50,000, which was reached and surpassed in a matter of hours. Apparently, folks want the Yota.

The YotaPhone 2 is quite unique, featuring dual displays; one always-on 4.7″ e-paper screen and one 5″ Full HD LCD. Other specifications include a Snapdragon 801 processor, GPS, NFC, 2,500mAh battery, Quick Charge 2.0 compatibility, LTE connectivity, and Android 4.4 out of the box.

For pricing, the company is selling the device at a discount for the first 48 hours that the phone is on Indiegogo. If you order now, your price will be $525, and you will also receive a free protective bumper case. For another $50, you can also purchase a PowerBank and Wireless Charger.

Gotta have a YotaPhone 2?

Via: Indiegogo

YotaPhone 2 Hits Indiegogo – Pre-Order for $525, Estimated to Ship in August is a post from: Droid Life

Lollipop-Less DROID Turbo Now Comes in Fancy New Limited Edition Colors

On May 28, Verizon will add three new color options to the DROID Turbo, a phone that was once the carrier’s flagship Android device but feels less and less important these days as current owners of it continue to wait for its big update to Lollipop. But hey, new colors!

The DROID Turbo will be available in a new Grey Ballistic Nylon color with choices of blue, orange, or violet accents. The price won’t change – you can still buy it for monthly Edge payments of $20.83 or $499 full retail.

“Why DROID Turbo?,” Verizon asks. Because of Advanced Calling 1.0 (HD Voice and VoLTE), 48-hour battery life, Turbo Charging, and an eventual update to Android 5.1 Lollipop, of course. We have a question, though. How long has Android 5.1 been available? Since March 9! What’s today’s date? May 19! That seems like a long 2-month+ wait for Turbo owners who were skipped and skipped and skipped over as each new version of Lollipop rolled out over the last seven months. Verizon does assure us that the update will be here “soon.”

Colors!

DROID Turbo Link

Via: Verizon

Lollipop-Less DROID Turbo Now Comes in Fancy New Limited Edition Colors is a post from: Droid Life

Combo Deal: Get a Moto 360 and Moto G for Just $299

Motorola is currently hosting a 4-hour combo sale that will land you a Moto G (2nd gen) and a Moto 360 for just $299. That’s $129 off, in case you were wondering.

The Moto G is the current version, which unfortunately, is a 3G-only device. Still, it’s a great value for someone in need of a smartphone who doesn’t have a big budget or reason to buy a flagship. The Moto 360 is well, the Moto 360. It’s the best Android Wear watch you can buy for now.

The deal is only live until 3PM Central, which is 4PM Eastern or 1PM Pacific.

Motorola Link

Cheers Barry!

Combo Deal: Get a Moto 360 and Moto G for Just $299 is a post from: Droid Life

Samsung Flow Beta Released to Google Play, Sync Apps and Tasks Across Multiple Samsung Devices

Samsung Flow, first debuted by the company back in November of last year, is now available on Google Play as a beta for a limited number of devices.

Flow was created to easily sync multiple Samsung devices, helping owners quickly switch from device to device, without losing any progress they have within any given task. For example, if you are reading an article on the web via your smartphone, then want to switch it over to your tablet for better viewing, you simply press a button and that same article in the exact same spot will pop up on your tablet. This same process can be done through a variety of apps.

Sync between devices is handled through dedicated Bluetooth connections, and when you don’t have a partnered device handy, you can defer tasks for later. If you are in the middle of a YouTube video, but don’t want to strain your eyes watching on your smaller display, simply defer the task for once you are close to your tablet again. A few of the apps compatible with Flow are Twitter, YouTube, SoundCloud, Google Maps, Yelp, Path, and Samsung’s Web Browser.

Please note, this app has a strict device compatibility list, featuring only newer Samsung devices. As of right now, devices supported are the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Alpha, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge, and Galaxy Tab S series.

Have one or more of the compatible devices? Go check it out.

Play Link

Samsung Flow Beta Released to Google Play, Sync Apps and Tasks Across Multiple Samsung Devices is a post from: Droid Life

AT&T is Moving Away From 2-Year Contracts Starting June 1

Once June 1 rolls around, it’s going to be harder than ever to sign-up for a new 2-year contract at AT&T and buy a phone at a low subsidized price. According to multiple sources of ours, the wireless carrier will begin transitioning to a world where contracts are on the backburner and AT&T Next is the option that will be presented to you when it’s time to upgrade and your previous contract has ended. In some cases, it will be the only option you have, unless you feel like waiting a few extra days for your brand new phone to arrive.

On June 1, AT&T will no longer offer (at least up front) 2-year contracts for service at Local Dealer and National Retail Locations. Your options to upgrade to a new phone and sign-up for service will be through AT&T Next, because the device payment plan approach is what “aligns with what customers want” at this stage in the game. AT&T also feels that AT&T Next simplifies choice and provides additional savings when combined with their Mobile Share Value plans.

What if you don’t want AT&T Next and would rather sign a 2-year agreement? Local Dealer locations will still technically be able to sign you up for a 2-year agreement via Direct Fulfillment, which is like them placing an order for you in store and then shipping the device to you a few days later. In other words, you wouldn’t see your new phone for a couple of days in some cases. You will also be able to sign-up for 2-year agreements at Company Owned Retail locations, customer service, and att.com. Other than that, AT&T Next is your option and will be the option presented to you.

On a related note, 2-year agreements will still be available for tablets, basic phones, Internet of Things devices, and in some bundle offers.

Of course, the move away from contracts isn’t new to the industry – T-Mobile did away with them a couple of years ago. AT&T, like T-Mobile, is just tweaking their money making machine, so that it makes money through device payment plans instead of by tacking on undisclosed device fees into service contracts when you buy a discounted phone through a subsidy. Still, this model, I think most would argue, is better for customers than 2-year contracts.

Again, once June 1 comes around, many of the AT&T stores you visit will no longer offer 2-year service agreements with discounted phones. Instead, sales reps will move you to an AT&T Next plan, where you won’t have upfront costs for phones, but will have both service and device payments.

AT&T is Moving Away From 2-Year Contracts Starting June 1 is a post from: Droid Life

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Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Via: Google Product Forums

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