It is that time of year when Google steps out and shows developers what goodies they have been working on. Having spent the last few years making Android into the a beautifully well rounded and reliable operating system there was talk that Google might not have much to offer this year. Those folks were wrong and it would appear Google have been busier than ever.
Android One
The Android One initiative is to allow everyone access to affordable, high-quality devices. All devices will run a stock version of Android, but OEMs can customise it within the guidelines in order to include “locally relevant” features.Android One will launch in India this autumn, with the first devices from the likes of Micromax and Karbonn priced at under $100. A worldwide rollout will follow.
Android L
Some might say Lolli-pop, I’m sticking with Android L, it sounds super swish. The latest version of Android focuses on a new user interface. Taking steps to push a consistent look and feel across Android devices comprising of new animations, 3D views and ripple touch feedback on buttons. Whilst the finished version is a little ways off Google were happy to demonstrate how Gmail and the phone dialer will evolve with the changes.
Are are a new enhanced features. Notifications are being introduced, which deliver notifications directly to the lock screen and can be accessed or dismissed much quicker. Personal locking is something we have seen on a couple of other devices from Samsung, however Google are looking to perfect this as wearing a connected Android Wear smartwatch, the smartphone will not require a password to access. Google also introduced a new battery saver mode, 64-bit support and improved graphics to match PCs
Android Wear
You might have noticed the LG G Watch and a Samsung-made Gear Live device will be available to order from Google Play. Android is arriving on your wrist with voice commands at will allow users to do things such as request flight boarding passes, while users can also connect with their Android phone to control music. There was a short demonstration to order and pay for Pizza right on the wrist. There were a few unhappy murmurs from the audience as the rounded Motorola 360 is not to ship until later this year.
Android Auto
Cars are getting the Google treatment this year with a new software solution to feature voice-controlled access to Google Maps, text messaging and apps. The voice recognition feature means that users should never have to remove their hands from the wheel of their vehicle to use the system as safety is one of the main focuses of Google.
Android Apps on Chromebooks
Android apps to purposed to run on Chromebooks fairly soon. The implications of this are massive, We saw a demonstration of Evernote, Flipboard and Vine running in suspended windows on Google’s Chrome OS, allowing the app to flexibly switch between mobile and tablet formats depending on the user’s need. One of the main criticisms is that the apps on Android are optimised touchscreen and only a few Chromebooks adopt this, even then the experience is little more than a novelty.
Google Fit
Google Fit will use data from various health trackers across Android devices to build detailed analysis of their fitness level, using partners such as Nike, Adidas and RunKeeper on the platform. This announemnty was made all the more interesting by a brief interruption by a protestor during a keynote address.
Android TV
We saw Android TV and a variety of applications and games on a simplified user interface. Gaming is a major focuses of the platform, a tablet can be used as a controller while an Android game is being screened on the television display. There was also a dedicated gamepad to allow overall control the interface alongside gaming. We should see Android TV launched in the autumn.
Don’t believe me? Watch it all here:
By the end of 2014, Internet Stats Live predicts that there will be upwards of three billion internet users worldwide who will move a trillion dollars throughout the year. With that kind of money on the line, it’s no wonder Internet security is such a valuable business, both for the safety officers and the criminals. Internet security is not simply a function of the equipment used. How and where you log on can put your data at risk.
Take Your Head Out Of The Cloud
About two-thirds of adults in the United States use some form of cloud storage system to back up and share important documents. Cloud sharing is inexpensive and convenient, but can also put your data at risk. Once you put your files on the cloud, the system could be hacked and your information can be stolen or lost; no matter how secure, there is never a guarantee. The New York Times, Facebook and even the U.S. Federal Reserve have all fallen victim to cyber-attacks that were actually successful to some degree. Don’t let the big names fool you! Check your data often, maintain local backups of the really important stuff and keep an internet paper trail in case you ever need to prove ownership of information.
BYOD And BYOS
Personal computing device sales surpassed PCs in 2013. The two major operating platforms, iOS and Android, have significant security concerns but companies are implementing Bring Your Own Device policies to save on overhead. Sure, saving money is great, but BYOD methods introduce huge security risks to the organization and to the individual. The recommended key to fixing this problem is training. Security risks can be mitigated by understanding the rules of consumer protection. Research of college students entering the workforce shows that they do not understand the dangers or the steps associated with reducing risks. The best way to avoid data theft is to be in the know.
A Little Theft With Your Latte
Coffee and free WiFi are one of the joys of the modern world. Unfortunately every time you log onto the network, you’re putting yourself at risk. To a savvy hacker, every person on that network is openly sharing information. A good rule of thumb is to never make purchases from a shared network environment. Even if the site is secure, the information can be intercepted long before it gets to the destination. For example, over the past year India has started finding itself in an epidemic of cyber-attacks and thefts because of its shared Internet networks.
Too-Smart Devices
You can do almost anything with a smartphone or tablet. Most people do not understand the power and risks that come with using smart devices for business purposes. These devices can get malware just as a PC might. Make sure that your tablet and phone have protective software. Both Google and Apple have a wide range of recommendation to keep the hackers out of your phone.
EE is launching live trials of phone calls over WiFi and 4G as part of its £275 million investment in voice capabilities. The new service will help connect parts of rural Britain that have previously been unconnected, as well as meaning people can make calls in more places, when only connected to WiFi in homes and offices. The WiFi service will launch in autumn 2014, while the 4G calling service will follow in 2015.
- New capability to allow customers to make high quality calls in more places, when only connected by WiFi in homes and offices, set for launch in autumn 2014
- The VoLTE, 4G calling, trial will expand network coverage in rural areas using low frequency spectrum for the first time
- Ongoing £275 million investment this year in phone calls aims to remove ‘whitespots’, and create ‘zero defect’ experience in UK’s busiest areas
- More than 6,000 2G sites upgraded, and capacity increased on 2,000 3G sites to support more than 900m calls being made every week
20th June 2014 – EE is continuing its investment in making phone calls better for customers across the UK by introducing a WiFi calling capability. The carrier grade service will allow people to make calls, with a higher quality and greater degree of reliability than unmanaged VoIP services, from their home, office, corporate or public WiFi connection. Calls can be made through the phone’s native dialler, with no need to rely on an app. Native SMS services are also available through the WiFi capability.
The WiFi calling service is set to launch in autumn 2014 on the latest handsets capable of supporting the service.
Fotis Karonis, CTO at EE, said:
“Our WiFi calling capability will let customers make calls where they have access to WiFi but not to the mobile network. The customer experience is seamless because it’s the same as making a network call and uses the normal call interface of the handset. This is a major part of our strategy to invest in giving customers the ability to make a call wherever they are, and we’re confident that this service can make a big difference to people in homes and large offices across the country, especially in the most rural areas, that don’t have mobile coverage.”
4G Voice
In recent demonstrations at the EE Test Lab, the company has also been showing live 4G call services (VoLTE), and will begin a trial later in 2014 using the 800MHz spectrum acquired in last year’s auction. The trial will expand data and voice coverage, bringing service to a previously unconnected part of rural Oxfordshire. 800MHz spectrum has a significantly greater reach than 1800MHz spectrum so can be used by EE to significantly increase the geographical coverage of its data and voice network.
A full commercial launch of the capability will follow in 2015, when the technology has had chance to mature so that the highest level of quality can be achieved, and the EE 4G network exceeds 90% population coverage – essential to a viable 4G voice service.
Karonis adds: “4G calling, or VoLTE, is an exciting technology that we’re going to be trialling in the coming months using our low frequency spectrum, bringing one of the world’s best voice and data services to a part of rural Britain that has previously been unconnected. When we have rigorously tested the performance of 4G calling and made sure that it matches our 2G and 3G quality, we’ll launch it nationwide on our 4G network.”
HD Voice, a benefit of VoLTE, is widely available already on the EE network, with 3G coverage at greater than 98% and more than 5 million HD Voice-capable devices in use.
Ongoing Investment
With the EE network now carrying more than 900million calls each week, existing voice infrastructure is being upgraded on a week by week basis. More than 6,000 2G masts have had entirely new equipment installed in the last 18 months, and over 2,000 3G masts have had capacity doubled.
As a further part of this investment in phone calls – £275 million in 2013, and a further £275 million in 2014 – EE has also introduced three key initiatives to improve phone calls for its 26 million customers:
· The capability of the MyEE App to identify when a device hits a whitespot, or ‘no service’ area, and ping the network to give its location. This enables the EE network teams to identify the exact spots where customers are not able to make calls, even in areas where coverage is generally good. The MyEE App is currently being used on more than half a million handsets
· The nationwide ambition to halve the dropped call rate (DCR) in 2014, creating a world-leading call experience for customers. A rate of 0.4%, across both 2G and 3G, has already been consistently achieved in Derby, where the integration and optimisation of the EE network is at its most advanced stage
· The ‘Platinum Project’, which aims to create a ‘zero defect’ phone call experience for customers in the busiest parts of the UK, giving the best possible quality of voice. Trial areas for the project include the entirety of the M25 Orbital, Canary Wharf and The Southbank. EE network teams are walking and driving thousands of miles in these areas to identify any areas that need enhancing, and reconfiguring local masts to ensure the best possible service
For more information, please visit ee.co.uk
Google Glass si to go on sale in the UK from Monday, June 23. The wearable will be available to anyone over the age of 18 and cost £1,000. The Glass Explorer Programme is specifically designed to make Glass available to a wider range of people. Google is hoping it will help better prepare the product for its full consumer launch.
“Technology is at its best when it fits seamlessly into our lives and lets us get on with whatever we’re doing. Our goal for Glass is exactly that – to make it easier to bring people the technology they rely on without drawing them out of the moment,” said Ivy Ross, head of Glass.
Those wishing to test the technology out – but not necessarily keen on the idea of parting with £1,000 – will also be able to request a demo of it at Google’s Basecamp event in London on June 27 and 28. There is no word yet as to when Google Glass will go on general sale, and the company has insisted that the technology is still in the prototyping phase.
ZTE and Virgin Media announced the release of the stylish ZTE Blade L2 and ultra-affordable ZTE Kis 3 in the UK. The ZTE Blade L2 is now available to purchase in store and online from both Virgin Media and Argos for £89.99* PAYG, with the ZTE Kis 3 available for just £49.99* PAYG.
The ZTE Blade L2 is the latest smartphone to come from the popular Blade series, featuring an elegant design, 5’’ touch screen and slim 8.9mm white exterior frame. Also on offer, is the ultra-affordable Kis 3, designed to be the perfect entry-level smartphone at a great price.
ZTE Blade L2 specifications:
- Operating system: Android 4.2
- Size and weight: 142.5×72.2×8.95mm
- Display: 5.0”FWVGA (480x854Pixel)
- Camera: 5 megapixel camera with AF/ LED Flash, 0.3 megapixel front camera
- Network: GSM/UMTS, GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz, WCDMA 900/2100 MHz
- Battery: 2000 mAh
- Processor: 1.3 GHz Quad-Core processor
- Memory: 1GB RAM, 4GB ROM
- Other: GPS, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, Dual SIM
ZTE Kis 3 specifications:
- Operating system: Android 4.4
- Size and weight: 126×64.7×10.7mm
- Display: 4.0”WVGA (480x800Pixel)
- Camera: 3 megapixel camera
- Network: GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz | WCDMA 900/2100 MHz
- Battery: 1400 mAh
- Processor: 1.2 GHz Dual Core
- Memory: 512MB LPDDR2/3 + 4GB eMMC | MicroSD (Up to 32GB)
- Other: GPS with AGPS, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, Dual SIM
ZTE and Virgin Media launch the Blade L2 and Kis 3 in the UK
20 June 2014, Brentford, UK – ZTE and Virgin Media today announced the release of the stylish ZTE Blade L2 and ultra-affordable ZTE Kis 3 in the UK. The ZTE Blade L2 is now available to purchase in store and online from both Virgin Media and Argos for £89.99* PAYG, with the ZTE Kis 3 available for just £49.99* PAYG.
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The ZTE Blade L2 is the latest smartphone to come from the popular Blade series, featuring an elegant design, 5’’ touch screen and slim 8.9mm white exterior frame. With a 1.3GHz quad-core processor and 5MP camera which includes multiple settings from continuous shot, panorama and anti-flickering to a multi-angle view that can easily be turned into 3D animation, the ZTE Blade L2 has plenty to offer in both style and performance at an affordable price point.
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The ultra-affordable Kis 3, is designed to be the perfect entry-level smartphone. The ZTE Kis 3 features the latest Android 4.4 KitKat OS a powerful dual core 1.2GHz processor as well as 512MB RAM to provide smooth multi-tasking and app usage. The 10.7mm thin body and large bright 4” screen makes it easy and enjoyable to browse the latest news, watch videos and view photos.Chris Edwards, Marketing and Business Development Director at ZTE said, “It is our mission to make smartphone technology accessible to everyone and the introduction of the Blade L2 and Kis 3 is no exception. The Blade & Kis series have been extremely popular with Virgin customers and it’s great that Virgin and Argos will be adding to its portfolio with two new ZTE smartphones.”
Jamie Heywood, director of mobile at Virgin Media added, “Both of these handsets pack a real punch for their price point. The Blade L2 offers elegance with a solid design while the Kis 3 will allow customers to get their hands on the latest Android handsets at a fraction of the price.”
The ZTE Blade L2 can be purchased in store and online from Virgin Media and Argos today for £89.99* PAYG including £10 top up. The ZTE Kis 3 can also be purchased from Virgin Media and Argos for just £49.99* PAYG, including £10 top up.
*includes a compulsory £10 top-up
A new leak is revealing specs and early mock-ups of a new nine-inch tablet from HTC, codenamed “Volantis”. Android Police has revealed that pricing won’t be as harsh as it could, with a rumored cost of $399 for the 16GB model and $499 for the 32GB model. HTC and Google are said to be aiming for a Q4 2014 release to correspond with the launch of Android L, the next Android overhaul.
HTC Volantis Specification:
- 8.9″ Display at 2048×1440 (281ppi)
- NVIDIA Logan 64-bit processor (Tegra K1)
- 2GB RAM
- 16/32GB internal storage
- 8MP OIS main camera, 3MP front facing camera
- Aluminum zero-gap construction
- Stereo front-facing speakers
- 8.91″x5.98″x0.31″ body (that’s 22.63×15.19×0.79cm)
- 418g (or 427g with LTE) (that’s 14.74/15.1 ounces)
Amazon on Wednesday finally took the wraps off of one of the worst kept secrets in the industry: the Fire Phone. The new handset is powered by a quad-core 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and it features a 4.7-inch 720p HD display that Amazon claims is bright enough to be visible in outdoor lighting. Also contains 2GB of RAM, dual stereo speakers, a 13-megapixel rear camera and front-facing camera for video chats. Also, try out this jungle scout free trial that it’s an app to help amazon FBA sellers make more money.
The phone includes unlimited cloud-based photo storage, a handy addition given that the handset features six individual camera modules in total. Four of the camera modules are low-power units that track the user’s head in order to help facilitate 3D effects and motion gestures that make up the main features of Amazon’s software. For example, deep integration with Amazon’s various Prime services, including its video service and the newly unveiled Amazon Music offering.
Another key feature is Firefly, this uses the camera to scan barcodes on products and pull them up in Amazon’s store. Firefly can also listen to music or TV shows using technology similar to Shazam to recognize them and pull them up in Amazon’s digital shop, right down to a specific episode of a TV show as demonstrated. There is a dedicated Firefly button that pulls the feature up in one second, according to Amazon.
Phone numbers and email addresses are recognized by Firefly as well. Once they are, they can be added to a new contact or used to initiate a call or email. A Mayday service, which provides a direct line of communication to Amazon’s customer support team via video chat. Reps can help users diagnose and resolve any issues, and they can also take control of the phone to help, if need be.
The Amazon Fire Phone will start at $199.99 on contract with 32GB of storage, and a 64GB version will be available for $299.99. Off contract, the phone will be priced in line with the iPhone, starting at $650. With any purchase option, the phone includes 12 months of Amazon Prime service for free.
As you have guessed there is little in the way of UK launch details, I’m sure Christmas will be a perfect time…
An anti-climactic end to a bitter battle, but is also a relief. Samsung and Apple have finally tired of the “Thermonuclear” patent war. Apparently, the two companies want to drop the fight because they still want access to each other’s business. Here’s a quote with more of the details,
Tired of spending money on legal disputes, both tech giants are looking for ways to end their years of legal wrangling. In addition, Apple apparently wants to continue to have access to Samsung as a component supplier.
Both Apple and Samsung are said to have dropped all cross-appeals filed with the ITC last year. The agency ruled in 2013 that Samsung had infringed on a pair of Apple’s patents relating to a touchscreen interface and headset plug detection. Since Sammy’s devices banned by the ITC are older models that are no longer manufactured, and newer devices are shipped with a workaround, the ITC suits are not as important to Apple as they once seemed to be.
There are two YouTube related stories happening at the moment. First up, the YouTube arm of Google will be launching a paid music streaming service by the end of this summer. Supposedly, YouTube partnered with “hundreds of major and independent” music labels for the new service. YouTube reps supposedly said,
“We’re adding subscription-based features for music on YouTube with this in mind – to bring our music partners new revenue streams in addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars YouTube already generates for them each year,”
As you can expect, not all the music labels are too happy about this though as there is a darker side to this idea. Supposedly, Google plans to block the YouTube content of record labels who don’t get on board with Google’s new program. Here’s a quote with a few more details,
The news comes as some music trade groups have criticized YouTube’s plans to potentially block the content of certain labels from appearing on YouTube’s free, ad-supported Website unless they sign deals to participate in the new, subscription streaming music service. The deals that YouTube is offering are on “highly unfavorable, and non-negotiable terms,” according to a news release issued by the Worldwide Independent Music Industry Network last month. Reuters
It will be interesting to see how this pans out. It doesn’t seem very Googley of Google to be strong-arming the music industry just to get their way, but they have done it before. Of course, it’s also possible this report’s sources are inaccurate, so we will keep an eye out.
Speaking of keeping an eye out, the second big YouTube story of the day regards the use of YouTube live streaming on the Chromecast. Previously, being able to live stream content to your Chromecast only worked from your computer. Google has added some new functionality to the device though. Google updated the Chromecast so now you can push live events from YouTube straight to the TV screen via Chromecast on your mobile device. Handy!
Traveling opens a world of experiences, filled with exciting adventures, cultural exchange, and mesmerizing landscapes. If you’re looking for a serene retreat, consider staying at Carmel hotels, which offer a unique blend of luxury and coastal charm. In our modern age, technological devices or “gadgets” have become indispensable companions, enhancing these experiences in countless ways. If you plan to visit Europe, you may consider exploring Portugal. This country allows investors to apply for citizenship using portugal golden visa. To place an order for a federal documents apostille (such as FBI Background checks), make sure to check out this apostille in Virginia here.
The summer is upon us and it’s time to start planning those family adventures, solo expeditions to find one’s self or a party in the tropics. Many hope to get away from it all and that includes the gadgets and gizmos they feel control their lives. Whatever your itinerary tech is also there to help, facilitate and entertain you on your journey.
The load out:
We all must suffer the burden of not being able to take it all with us so we need our carry on to keep as much to hand as possible. These days mobile phones are packing an awful lot of neat features to reduce clutter.
Many will rely on their iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S5 or HTC One (M8) to take the burden of many tasks and rightfully so. We are now entering a time when the inbuilt features rival many of the products we have come to rely on in the past.
A Camera – The LG G3, HTC One (m8) and iPhone 5S all pack superior shooters for most environments. Our pal and site editor Matt recently relied exclusively on the HTC One to document a trip to Disneyland. However, we are gadget lovers at heart and something like the Sony AX100X 4K Camcorder with 1.0 Type Exmor R CMOS Sensor would really pop when capturing those moments of your kids bungee jumping or some totty on the beach.
A Computer – Internet cafes are a thing of the past, shoddy hotel wifi is now all the rage. Your phone will likely be dead after a full day and you are going to want something to send evidence of your escapades back for your Gran to see. For a little editing of photos and videos the Lenovo X1 Carbon is a stunning lightweight and versatile laptop with some top end specs at a modest price. For the lower end price the Acer Chromebook C720 will do everything you need in the cloud and still allow space for a bottle of tequila from duty free in your backpack on the way home.
A Map – You must know where you are are, have been and are going. Again your phone, combined with Google Maps or mapping software of choice is indispensable. When planning a trip, some really nice online tools are at your hands, such as the GoEuro search travel search engine for example. It compares modes of transport and their various prices and times for the desired route of the user. Another great online resource is airbnb, in terms of booking a place to stay you want.
Power – Your phone is only as useful as it’s battery life and you are likely going to need some form of backup after using GPS to find the sights, the camera to capture the sights, the wifi to share the sights and the screen to watch Captain America on the long sticky bus ride back to the hotel from the sights. The Anker Astro 3E 10000mAh portable charger is the ideal solution and a backpack must have. Cheap, light and quick to charge even the more demanding hardware. Perfect to resurrect a dead phone with your eticket stored in your inbox.
A neat little trick, you probably already know is how to charge them all, a simple 4 Gang, with an adapter. I have seen folks in the past buying three adapters or families squabbling over the single adapter they packed.
Travel can be stressful and unexpected, it’s doesn’t have to be and hopefully this year technology will help you enjoy it a little more.
Finally, we shouldn’t forget the importance of gadgets in ensuring our health and safety while traveling. Personal safety alarms, portable water purifiers, and health monitoring devices can make our travels both safer and healthier. A fully charged phone in a time of crisis can even prove to be a lifesaver.
If you love travel gadgets and you’re looking for the best Expert-crafted travel ideas & private tours to plan your next trip, remember that while gadgets have become integral to the modern travel experience, providing convenience, entertainment, and safety, they should not overshadow the essence of travel itself. It’s important to sometimes set the gadgets aside and immerse ourselves in the cultures, landscapes, and unplanned moments that make traveling such an enriching and fulfilling endeavor.
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