Saturday, August 23, 2014

Google Search on Android can now understand multiple spoken languages at once

google listen
Google has announced that its Search app on Android devices can now handle a number of different spoken languages at once, in an effort to help people who speak more than one language.

Yahoo app now includes one-swipe access to news, magazines, and more

Food, Health, Beauty, and more magazines, all from Yahoo
As Yahoo continues to refashion itself as a media and content portal, they're making even more improvements to their app — which now includes Yahoo's digital magazines. The magazines, which bring more long-form content to the Yahoo app then their previous news offerings, span the gamut of food, tech, beauty, movies, and health.

The Witcher Battle Arena kicks off closed beta for Android

A new MOBA game similar to Dota 2 and League of Legends is coming to Android called The Witcher Battle Arena, and sign-ups for the closed beta have just launched. The Witcher role-playing games previously followed a monster hunter named Geralt. You made all sorts of moral decisions while also getting some medieval ass-kicking in. The Witcher Battle Arena is all action and includes many familiar faces from the games and novels.

Bitdefender adds Android Wear support to app to help stop smartphone theft

bitdefender
Bitdefender announced a new update to its Android app that enables support for Android Wear devices as well, in an attempt to give owners of smartphones some extra help in preventing the possible theft of their product.

Flappy Bird developer returns with new frustrating game Swing Copters

Swing Copters
Just when you thoughts the world was just starting to get over Flappy Bird, the developer behind that title has returned with yet another game, today launched launched on both iOS and Android. Dong Nguyen's latest hit, titled Swing Copters, puts players in charge of a dude with a 'copter helmet. The object of the game is to avoid the swings and progress as far as possible, much like its predecessor.
We'll not spoil the gameplay for you — though if you've played Flappy Birds you'll have a good idea of the difficulty involved — so be sure to head into the Play Store and download the title. Is it addictive? Absolutely, we've tried it already. Will it be as successful as Flappy Bird? We'll have to see, but Nguyen no doubt hopes so. Let us know how you get on in the comments.

Google+ Notifications: How and why to use them

Mr. Jingles is a friend you should see often, but not all the time...

Too many notifications can quickly overwhelm your brain

MediaFire for Android now automatically backs up your photos and videos

MediaFire for Android now automatically backs up your photos and videos
The MediaFire cloud storage service now has a new version of its Android app available to download from Google Play that has a number of new features, including automatic photo and video backup.

Uber offers developer API to integrate car service in third party apps

uber
Uber has just announced a developer API, allowing developers to integrate the car service into their own Android apps. Apps will be able to do things like send an address to Uber's own app, as well as display pickup times, provide fare estimates, and more.

Skype relief is finally coming with notifications only on the device you're currently using

Soon Skype will only bother you on one device at a time
Skype will soon be doing more to curb notification noise on your devices. The company has announced a new feature, known as "active endpoint" that will contain chat notifications to the device that you're using, rather than alerting every single device. For instance, if you're chatting using Skype on your phone, your computer and tablet will remain silent.

Verizon said to be taking on Google Play with its own misguided app store

Verizon wants you to buy apps from them, not Google
The next Android phone you buy from Verizon might just come with a Verizon-branded app store. If that sounds familiar, like something from days past, you're not alone in that feeling. Apparently Verizon is working on a "different kind of app store", promoting app discovery in a way that Google Play has yet to grasp.

SNK Playmore puts all their games on sale for $0.99 for a limited time

SNK Playmore has been steadily releasing ports of some of their most popular franchises and games in their catalog onto Android for awhile now. This includes the King of Fighters franchise, the Meta Slug franchise, the Raiden franchise and so on. If you've missed picking any of these games up for whatever reason, you might want to consider grabbing the ones you want now.

Uber test driving Corner Store delivery service

Uber Corner Store
Mobile-first transportation service, Uber, is dabbling in deliveries with a new service called Corner Store. Those inside of two limited Washington D.C. delivery zones can now order from a catalog of over 100 items Uber has in stock, and have the items delivered to their precise location. This service will only go for a couple of weeks to see what the reception's like.

Backflip Studios to release Spellfall Puzzle-RPG on Android

Spellfall is a puzzle RPG to be released on Android by Backflip Studios. For those not familiar with the relatively recent hybrid of match-three with RPGs or action games, picture the following: You're playing a Final Fantasy, or some other RPG with a spell casting mechanic, and you decide to cast a spell in battle. Only instead of selecting a spell from a list and paying for it out of your available MP, Candy Crush pops up on the screen and you attempt to match three or more tiles a row.

The Simpsons: Tapped Out takes on Clash of Clans in latest update

Simpsons Tapped Out
The Simpsons: Tapped Out is taking Clash of Clans head on in its latest update. Now your Springfield citizens can take up bows and swords and raid the cities of your friends similar to the Clash of Clans mechanism. Obviously you'll need to put up your own defenses to keep invaders out as well.

Retro-style arcade game Neon Caves is out now on Ouya

Neon Caves, a retro-styled arcade shooter, is now available on the Ouya. Developed by Force of Habit,there is no free-to-try option which found in many other Ouya games, but you can own it for $2.99.

Verizon's HTC One Max picking up Sense 6 in latest update

HTC One Max
Though HTC One Max users on Sprint got their hands on a Sense 6 update back in May, Verizon has just started its OTA rollout. We've received several tips and there are some responses in our forums indicating that the Verizon One Max is indeed finally getting its Sense 6 update, bringing it in line with the software you'd find on the One M8.

ALONE is a cool upcoming endless runner by Lazer Dog Games that won't have IAPs

ALONE is an upcoming endless runner game to be released by the UK based Laser Dog Games. They've already posted a video of what the gameplay will look like, and the game appears to hinge on reflexes and split-second decisions working in tandem, as it seems to be played at a relatively high speed.

Dscout review: going beyond Project Ara

This simple white app gives out nice green cash

The survey app from Project Ara is back, and it's paying out

Humble SEGA Mobile Bundle First Of Regular Ongoing Bundles To Be Offered

Humble Mobile Bundles have happened a few times on the Humble Bundle website, but now they should be a more common occurrence, with a dedicated Mobile tab added to the Humble Bundle Website. The first Bundle being offered is one from SEGA.

Budget app Simple adds instant money transfer

Simple for Android and iOS
Simple has released a major update for its finance app for Android devices, including an all new interface and a few new features to help people manage their money.