Category: Android

Apps and Devices

#Panasonic launches #Windows10 and #Android powered #Toughpad FZ-F1 and FZN1 respectively by @Tiwaash #MWC2016

Looks like 2016 is the year for some exciting Windows devices. After HP, it was Panasonic to surprise with an unusual but unique Windows10 device along with an Adrroid counterpart. Panasonic announced Toughpad FZ-F1 and Toughpad FZ-N1, two new rugged smartphones running Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise and Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), respectively at the MWC 2016 in Barcelona.

Both these smartphones are aimed to attract the adventure enthusiasts with some toughness added to them  so they can stand up to the abuse of the most demanding usage environments. Both these smartphones have a 4.7-inch HD glove enabled, multi-touch, sunlight viewable display, powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor and come with IP65, IP67 and MIL-STD-810G ratings with drop rating of 6 feet and also submersible, in up to 3.3 feet of water for 30 minutes.

The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-N1 is expected to be available in WiFi version in March of 2016 at an estimated price of US$1,499 and the voice model will be introduced in summer 2016. The Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise-powered Toughpad FZ-F1 will be available with data and voice in fall 2016 at an estimated price of $1,599.

Panasonic Toughpad FZ-F1 and FZ-N1 specifications

  • 4.7-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) sunlight-viewable display
  • 10-point capacitive multi-touch with rain sensing and glove touch mode, optional stylus pen (Active or Passive)
  • 2.3GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AB) processor with Adreno 330 GPU
  • 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, expandable memory up to 64GB with microSD
  • Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise (FZ-F1) / Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) (FZ-N1)
  • Dual SIM
  • 8MP rear camera with LED flash and 5MP front-facing camera
  • Durability: IP65 (high-pressure jet spray) and IP67 (submersible up to 3.3ft. for 30 minutes)MIL-STD-810G (shock, vibration, rain, dust, sand, altitude, freeze/thaw, high/low temperature,temperature shock, humidity)
  • WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; 4G LTE, HSPA+, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA 1x, EVDO Rev.A
  • Angled 1D/2D barcode reader, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, GPS
  • FIPS140-2 level-1 compliant, ARM TrustZone (Built-in)
  • 3,200 mAh battery, optional 6200 mAh long life battery back; Warm Swap capability

Stay tuned for more tech buzz.

WhatsApp launches Beta programme on Android now live in store. #WhatsApp #Beta #Social

WhatsApp is a popular messenger app which allows users to communicate with others with simple text,photos,videos and calls all for free.Now they have launched a Beta programme where users can get early access to updates and test before the general public,This however does not mean all is rosey as in beta you are prone to bugs etc but you do get to see new features before others and it seems plenty of us like this kind of environment.

You can leave the testing program at any time. If you leave the testing program and a public version of the app is available, you can switch to public version by uninstalling the testing version and installing the app again on Google Play.

Super Touch – Bring your old Android back to life with speed. #Apps

Over time your Android device slows down and with cheap ones this is the norm this is common and no matter what we do to speed them up you will fail and keep failing,lots of people today have old devices still and complain they are slow,removing data can help but only for so long..But how about an application that can optimize your device that’s not hard to use?

There is a new app called super touch which is said to change this though and speed things up in general,according to the app description below this is what you get..Having tried in on our ever so slow Samsung Galaxy S3 mini and the new arrival which is the BUSH Spira  it did seem to speed up to some extent…Other users are also reporting it works on already high end phones such as the Galaxy S6 edge.

 

1. Magnificent screen sliding respond, easy sliding on screen and no longer delay.

2. Incredibly smooth on zooming web pages or images as well as any operations needing to zoom.

3. Sliding to all directions is unbelievably quick and smooth.

4. Unbelievably quick and smooth lists rolling.

5. Much faster launching and loading Apps.

6. Speedy and accurate typing experience.

7. Much rapid on playing all sorts of games.

8. The first power-saving optimization app that does not affecting phones’ performance.

Super Touch allows you to experience unprecedented smooth smart phones.

One of this App’s main functions is to allow Android devices sliding much quicker and smoother, which will solve the problem of slow drag.
Sliding, dragging and zooming are far smoother; content follows up your fingertip; switching columns is also a lot quicker.
Lists rolling is extraordinarily speedier and smoother, typing is incredibly easier.
There is also a very practical power-saving optimization function, which does not sacrifice the performance of the phone.

One thing though is I am a bit weary of the app itself and it’s permissions but you can try it out and see for yourself…

The Countdown Official App lands on Android #Countdown #Android #TVGames

The popular quiz show Countdown now has an Android app in the Google Play store which will set you back 0.84cent. But that is if you can get it,for now the App is region locked to the UK but app fans know how to work around that so there is no need for us to tell you how to do so..

The app has got mixed reviews to date which is expected at any launch of a new app but nonetheless it is there now for you to try out should you be needing a new game to pass time. As the game is new by reading the reviews it seems to need some work so lets hope the dev is listening and from what looks like a good game lives on to be one..

OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN IS FINALLY HERE ON ANDROID!

∆ Here’s your chance to play the iconic game and prove yourself as a master of vocabulary and maths!
∆ Find the longest words with the letters available in the ‘LETTERS ROUND’ and calculate the solutions that will bring you to the targets in the ‘NUMBERS ROUND’.
∆ See if you can finish with a flourish as you attempt to unscramble the COUNTDOWN CONUNDRUM at the end of the show.
∆ Includes the iconic theme music AND the famous Countdown Clock!
∆ Play against friends
∆ Includes the Oxford Dictionary of English (with definitions)

* GAME FEATURES
– The same addictive gameplay as the TV show, all played against the famous Countdown clock.
– Quick Play – a shortened game for players who want a quick fix
– Conundrum only game – test yourself against 900+ Conundrums

See more about the game features at the store below.

 

PolyWallpapers – A Simple material wallpaper app for Android. #Apps #Android

There seems to be a craze still about official device wallpapers these days which is fine,personally I do not use them but lots do,there is also an array of other options available out there too to change the look of your device be it images/backgrounds or launchers. PolyWallpapers is a simple example with a selection of images to chose from and is easy to use and you can pick from a few designs and then download the said image.

Features:
•Beautifully Designed Wallpapers
•Vibrant Colors
•Save the wallpapers to the device
•FREE
•45+ Beautiful wallpapers to chose from
•EASY TO USE
•Choose from different categories of wallpapers – Material,Minimal,Abstract, Low-Poly

Event Countdown & Weather app. Add holidays/sports,events and more. #Apps #AddTheDay #IrishApps

If you need a handy app to keep track of something coming up be it a birthday,sports event,travel events and live weather there is a new app you should try today which has multiple offerings to personalise to your own needs and more,it is a simple app to use, you only need an event title, location and date/time. Adding the webcam widget requires a little bit of work – Find your favourite webcam (it can’t be a live/panning cam, it has to be one of the old school, photo ones) right click on it to get the file name and then add it as the Web Image option when setting up the widget..

Creator of the App  Cormac Maher tells us a bit more.

I’m a UI Designer working for a software company in Dublin, the app came about being as a result of my annual snowboard trips, every year, as winter approached, I would set up three widgets on my homescreen – a countdown widget, a weather widget and a webcam widget, each of these showing information/images from my holiday destination.

So this year I decided to combine all three into one app. Those three features can be all used together on the app and widget, or they can be used individually, so it could be a weather widget, a countdown widget or a webcam widget. It’s not just for holiday countdowns, it can be used for birthdays, anniversaries, sports events, weddings, etc

Event countdown, weather and webcam – app and widget. Use it to count down to your holidays, birthdays, sports events and any other event you can think of.Add home screen widgets to your favourite events. Include the location to show live weather information on the countdown widget, also add webcam images for live views of event location

Watch as your event is counted down in days, hours, minutes, and seconds, and receive an alert when the event happens.Add background photos from your gallery, so you get a slideshow of background images, or use a photo taken with your camera, you can also add your favourite webcam of the location, to see exactly what conditions are like at that time.

Features

* 3X3 Widget
* 2×2 Stack Widget (premium)
* 3×3 Stack Widget (premium)
* 4×3 List View Widget (premium)
* Add 5 events
* Add unlimited events (premium)
* Local weather from event location (optional)
* Use webcam from event location as your event background
* Use photo from your gallery as background, use multiple photos for changing background
* Take photo to use as your event background
* Counts in days, hours, minutes and seconds
* Optional background image animation to give live effect
* Counts up after even commences
* Notification when event commences
* Recurring events supported

 

Chrooma Keyboard, an interactive and unique experience while typing By @VicenteA_George #Android #Keyboard

The Keyboard, one of the most used features of our devices and one of the most discussed topics between mid and high end user on the Android ecosystem.

One of the simplest but useful app in this segment is Chrooma

Chrooma is really simply and is almost like the stock Google Keyboard with some but great adds on.

With this app you’ll be able to customize lots of features on it, like color or even size (this one comes really handy for those with larger phones but no so large hands) and the best part is that packs the Swipe gesture feature that most of us love.

But where Chrooma stands out is the ability to have different colors depending on the app you are using with Palette Mode.

Is like having a virtual Razer keyboard, this one will change the color to match the app, like in the image above, so if your using FB Messenger it will turn blue.

Another cool feature is Night Mode, which will dim the colors as soon as it detects a light change.

So if you one os those people that love changing everything on your phone or want a theme to match  perfectly this is the app you’ve been looking for.

Is not free, but the price would not break your pocket so if you want to try it out go and get it here:

Chrooma Keyboard

If you do or you know it already, let us know what you think in the comment section below.

 

 

 

Contacts Widget for Android – Simple yet effective and less screen clutter. #Apps

Last year we had a nice app called Trring which was a unique lock screen app to make reaching your most used contacts simple with task offering a nostalgic look to it too,A new app has caught our attention and it goes by the name of “Contacts Widget” which is free to download right now from the Play Store. This app has alot to offer and there is a wide array of settings to play around with to personalise to your personal taste.. The basic version is of course free but to avail of the full experience it will set you back €3,39, Check it out below first and perhaps try the free version first and move from there.

Features.

over 50 amazing, beautiful widgets for all device types;
– 6 types of singles widgets (1х1, 2х1, 2х2, 4х1, 4х2, 4х3)
– 4 types of groups widgets;
– last Call list;
– last SMS message list;
– “Folder”. It can separate contacts by comfortable categories for you;
– very easy to use and convenient editor of widgets;
– quick import from Contact book;
– quick access to the call functions, SMS sending, profiles views and chat changes in social networks;
– the ability to be aware of missed calls, unread SMS, new messages chats, and the current status in

– the ability to be aware of missed calls, unread SMS, new messages chats, and the current status in Online of famous Social networks;
– comfortable and convenient user interface;
– many useful settings;
– energy efficiency of your phone due to minimal use of battery power;
– widget sizes 1×1, 2×2, 4×1, 4×2, 4×3, 4×4;
– the ability to use your favorite applications for reading and sending SMS;
– ability to set Internet access only via Wi-Fi connection to minimize your costs.
– User Guide to help you get started.

Download on Android 

 

Get 2GB of free Drive space to complete account security check up. #Google #SaferInternetDay2016

If you want to bag some free Drive space from Google 2GB to be exact all you need to do is go through your account settings and ensure all is in check,for those with multiple accounts this would be welcome even though cloud storage is still a hard sell for some.. Tomorrow is Safer Internet Day and all you need to do is.. Below is a sample of what you will see from one account we would use..

 

  • Check your recovery information
  • Check your connected devices
  • Check your account permissions
  • 2 step verification settings

And you are done,free storage. Thanks Google.