Latest release focuses on aiding developer and manufacturer innovation
The Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) announced today all of the new features coming with the latest release of the standard, Bluetooth 4.1. As you would expect with an incremental point release the bump to BT 4.1 isn't groundbreaking, but makes several solid improvements over 4.0.
The latest version focuses first in improving usability for end users — the BT SIG has worked to make sure Bluetooth and LTE radios can cooperate and not interfere with each other's transmissions in a device. The latest spec also lets manufacturers have more control over Bluetooth connections in terms of reconnection times and disconnect thresholds.
A big part of BT 4.1 is making it easier for developers to use the technology. Working to be at the center of the "Internet of Things," Bluetooth 4.1 lets any device be both a peripheral and a hub at the same time — for example a smartwatch could be a peripheral to a phone, but also be a hub to other peripherals such as a heart monitor or pedometer.
The Bluetooth SIG certainly sees even more potential in its technology, and with the new technological advances in 4.1 the spec is getting even more powerful.
Google is getting ready for Christmas, and they want to help you keep track of Santa
Google has once again built a neat little Santa tracker page, complete with an advent calendar and interactive web elements. Point your browser right here, and you can count down the days until he makes his rounds, and click a few things in the calendar to keep track of all the happenings in Santa's village.
In addition to the web site, Google will be releasing this year's Android app once "the elves approve it" in mid December.
This looks like a lot of fun for the little ones in your life, or the big ones who still act like little ones around Christmas time. Be sure to check it out.
The Dec. 4 Deal of the Day is the Incipio DualPro Hard Case for Motorola Droid MAXX. The DualPro is a hybrid style case that combines a flexible inner silicone layer with a rigid outer plextonium shell. Naturally the silicone core absorbs impacts and the plextonium shell features a custom blend of polycarbonate with a soft-touch finish that delivers improved drop protection over the average plastic case.
The Incipio DualPro Hard Case is available for just $19.49, 35% off today only. Backed by our 60-day return policy and fast shipping.
Pro version just $1.99, 50% off, for a limited time after launch
Popular third-party launcher Action Launcher has made a notable jump to version 2.0 today, bringing with it new features and a slightly different business model. Version 2.0 brings Quickdrawer, Covers, Shutters, Quicksearch and Quickpage out of beta for everyone to use, and also introduces a free version of Action Luncher.
Previously you had to go all-in with a $3.99 purchase of Action Launcher, but you can now get a taste of what it's all about for free and simply pay to unlock the "Pro" features at a later date. Those who have already purchased Action Launcher will have their version turned into an unlock key, and be prompted to download the most up-to-date version of the "free" app to get the latest features.
To celebrate the release, the Pro version is 50 percent off for a limited time as well, meaning you can pick up all of the latest features for just $1.99. You can take a quick video look at the latest version after the break, or head to the Play Store to download Action Launcher at the link above.
Never give out the wrong address for an event again
Google is rolling out changes to Google Calendar on the web that make it even easier to get friends and family together for events. To help ensure that everyone gets to the right place, when you type into the "where" box for a new event, you'll receive auto complete options for places pulled from the Google Maps database. When you go back to view the event later, or someone you invite views the event, you can simply click the "map" button and be taken to Google Maps to view the location.
Universal search is also being improved in Google Calendar. Just like in Gmail, you can start typing in the name of the event, attendees or location and get a list of results as you type with relevant events containing those key words or people. While these updates are specifically for the web version of Google Calendar, the existence of the new back-end could make this very easy to implement in later versions of the Android app.
With the latest changes, if you create events on the web with the new location search and select a specific place, that location will be a link to open Google Maps on your phone — it's a good start, and we look forward to both the location and search functions being improved on mobile soon.
Product now 'in stock,' shipments should be on their way
Update: Amazon's page is now listing the Acer C720P as "in stock" for $299.99 with free shipping — no more pre-order status.
Original story: Those who pre-ordered the latest touchscreen Acer Chromebook from Amazon are being charged for their pre-orders today. Although the product is still indicates on the Amazon page that it hasn't been released yet, if the retailer is taking your money for an order then there's a good chance it's ready to go.
The Acer C720P is nearly identical to the other models of C720 that were released in the previous month, but with the addition of 32GB of storage and a touchscreen — all for $299. That's a pretty attractive package, and the first touchscreen Chromebook outside of the Pixel.
If you're looking to pick up a Chromebook this holiday season and have been holding out for a touchscreen model, chances are if you order now it'll be delivered in short order. You can place an order from the Amazon link below.
It was a holiday weekend for many of us in the states, and we felt it was appropriate to have this week's photo contest be about "family." Although we can understand that the entries were a bit low this week considering the travel many of us undertook, we still received some excellent entries this week.
And best of all, we were able to pick two winners this week to receive a prize rather than our usual one. Each will be receiving an Incipio FIXIE Universal Tablet Stand for their winning entry, so let's check out the winning images after the break.
If your Moto X is U.S. Cellular branded, you'll want to check for an update to the OS. Motorola's Punit Soni has announced that the KitKat update for USC models of the Moto X is currently rolling out in stages,
When finished, don't expect things to look very different. Under the hood though, well that's another story. Changes to resource management will keep your Moto X running snappy even while more apps are open and running, and as new applications are written that take advantage of 4.4 features, you'll be ready for them.
Anyone on USC seeing this yet? Shout out in the comments!
Plenty of color options and durable construction are highlights of this official accessory
Part of the charm of the little Moto G is the assortment of candy-colored back shells you can buy. It's a veritable rainbow of choice, and you'll find one to suit your tastes if you want more than the basic black that comes with the phone. Moto has carried much of this over to the official flip shell case as well.
It attaches the same way the normal, non-flippy case backs do. Stick your fingernail under the shell at the USB cut-out, and peel back like a banana. The current case back will pop off, and the new one snaps in using plastic clips around the edges. It's pretty simple.
Did you just pick up a new Android device? Maybe you’re looking for a new, cheap way to kill time? You’re in luck - we’ve got some games here that look and play great on the big and small screen alike, and they’re all available for the low, low price of free.
It’s worth keeping in mind that just about all of these employ in-app purchases of some kind or another. We know there are plenty of you that would willingly pay up front for a quality game, but there are plenty of good free games out there too. We’re trying to avoid “lite” games, since you won’t get a lot of replay value by only having the first couple of levels and being pestered to upgrade (pay) for the rest. That said, if the freemium model is a dealbreaker, this probably isn’t the round-up for you. Developers gotta eat.
Without further ado, here’s our list of the best free Android games.
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