Thursday, June 20, 2013

AndroidGuys

AndroidGuys

Auralux – The trench warfare of RTS games

Posted: 19 Jun 2013 01:45 PM PDT

Auralux offers a slight deviation from the standard RTS fare.  The background music is out of this world, and it differs depending on the way you play the game.  Aside from the dazzling light show, Auralux can set up monumental battles that can last for hours.

unnamed (2)You can compare Auralux most directly with another RTS mobile hit, Eufloria.  The gameplay centers around small balls of light (red, green, blue, and purple) trying to capture bigger planet-like balls while defending against other light- and music-filled enemies.  Offense and defense are continuous, similar to Eufloria, and you can upgrade the planet-sized spheres to help produce more warrior-balls.

As you begin, the tutorial level is fairly simple and gets you acquainted with the mechanics.  However, Auralux ramps up the difficulty and tactics immediately afterward.  There is no story or linear progression, and you can choose at which difficulty you would like to play right after the tutorial level.  This is surprising and almost unwelcome as the tutorial in no way prepares you for the warfare that follows.

That is not to say that the levels are not fun; you just have to think a few more steps ahead than you generally would.  Instead of your warrior-lights immediately attacking the objective that you select, they tend to dawdle melodically as they hunt out enemy balls.  This allows the enemies to mount an attack and even a counterattack against you while your entire army is attacking.  Note, sending your entire army against a single enemy is a recipe for disaster.

You must think about capturing planets and in what order you want to do it.  You must think about how many soldiers you have and are willing to throw against the enemy.  For example, capturing an objective in the middle of the map can and will lend itself to massive attacks by both of your enemies.  Sending your fleet from one planet to an enemy’s allows the enemy to gather a ton of resources while your light-balls are making their way, musically, toward the enemy base.

The melody they create cuts deep into your psyche as the notes are your soldiers’ lights being extinguished.

All these elements lead to a war zone that is reminiscent of trench warfare in WWI.  Someone has to win, but it is costly, overly dangerous, mentally taxing, and you are probably not going to conquer anything for very long.  That being said, you can win; you just have to think ahead and have enough patience to gather your forces.

The music and sounds of Auralux are dynamic and soothing.  Each interaction of the balls of light causes a musical note, and when you have dozens of balls battling, the melody they create cuts deep into your psyche as the notes are your soldiers’ lights being extinguished.  You must play Auralux with headphones to get a sense of every tiny light-ball’s signature melody.

Auralux offers a few options to deepen and, honestly, make the game better.  You can purchase extra levels (there are only eight to begin with) and a speed mode to give the game a boost.  I would suggest getting the speed mode as you can turn it on and off within the game, and it can make the game much more interesting.  Luckily, you can also pause and resume your game in progress, making Auralux a great mobile game.  Auralux also offers achievements, although they are not Google Play Achievements.

Click to view slideshow.

What we liked

  • Great music and melodies.
  • Truly tough RTS gameplay.

What could be improved

  • Speed mode is almost mandatory.
  • More levels and opponents in the basic mode.

Download Auralux (Google Play)

The post Auralux – The trench warfare of RTS games appeared first on AndroidGuys.

HTC Butterfly S announced for Taiwan

Posted: 19 Jun 2013 12:07 PM PDT

htc_butterfly_s_720

HTC today announced that a new flagship experience is set to touch down in Taiwan. The Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean smartphone is called the HTC Butterfly S and it’s quite a powerful device.

Specifications for the hadnset incldue a 1.9GHz Snapdragon 600 processor, a 5-inch 1080p HD display, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, and microSD expansion. The camera is a BSI UltraPixel sensor so we’re assuming it’s the same 4-megapixel that comes in the HTC One.

Additional details include a whopping 3200mAh battery which should be strong enough to stream MP3s for more than three days straight. In terms of software, the HTC Butterfly S features HTC Sense 5, meaning the features such as BlinkFeed, HTC Zoe and more are present.

htc-butterflys-pearl-en-slide-01

The HTC Butterfly S is slated for release in Taiwan next month, July, with an cost of  to NT $22,900 (approx: $766 USD). Don’t look for this particular model in too many other markets, however variants may be in order for later this year.

HTC

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New Android 4.3 versions found on Nexus devices

Posted: 19 Jun 2013 11:43 AM PDT

According to a report by Myce.com, Android 4.3 versions JWR66D and JWR53F have been spotted running on Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 devices.

If you break down the build numbers (JWR66D and JWR53F,) this is what they tell us:

  • ‘J’ tells us that they are Jellybean builds from the second quarter of this year
  • 'R' and the final number is x-th day in the quarter, in this case the 66th and 53rd.
  • The final character remarks the build of the day, the D is the fourth build, the F is the sixth build of that day.
  • What the 'W' means is so far unclear. This means both versions are from the end of May, beginning of June.

Myce found traces of these new Android 4.3 builds by monitoring the user agent strings, which is used by browsers to identify themselves.  Thanks to their tracking abilities, they found the following strings with the devices they were running on respectively: JWR66D – Nexus 7 and JWR53F – Nexus 4.

 

 

 

 

source: Myce.com

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Aviary’s Photo Editor gets overhauled in 3.0 release

Posted: 19 Jun 2013 11:20 AM PDT

The Aviary Photo Editor app for Android has been retooled and updated in a spankin’ new 3.0 release. If you’re a photo fanatic or someone who likes to jazz up your pictures with simple edits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better experience.

We’ve long been a fan of Aviary’s website and mobile apps so we’re only too pleased with the results of this new version. Things move much quicker and the tool set is nothing short of rich and robust features. Indeed, the standard app is likely to satisfy your basic needs, but we recommend spending a buck or two on some of the add-on packs!

Download Aviary Photo Editor for Android

Click to view slideshow.

Key updates and notes in the 3.0 release:

  • Sleek, Streamlined Interface – First and foremost, the user interface has been completely redesigned, and it’s beautiful. The main editor toolbar now scrolls instead of paging, making it way easier to find all of the Editor’s great tools. We’ve also gone to great lengths to highlight the most important part of the Editor – your photos – by switching over to a dark theme and reducing padding.

  • Improved Enhance Tool – Enhance, has been…enhanced! This incredibly popular tool now has three great settings: Hi-Def, Illuminate, and Color Fix. Hi-Def smartly sharpens, adjusts contrast, and brings out the best parts of your photo, while Illuminate makes poor-lit photos look like they were taken in great lighting. Color Fix (previously called Balance) does intelligent color correction and works beautifully.

  • Beautiful Filters – One of the awesome things about our Android Showcase App is that you can customize your version of the app by installing content packs. You can add incredible Filter packs for even greater flexibility and additional editing options. With today’s new Android release, we’re introducing the Woodland Effects Pack, perfect for outdoor photos. This pack has been a big hit on iOS, and we think our Android users are also going to love using it this summer.

  • Super Fun Stickers – Users love taking advantage of our stickers to add fun, creativity, and surrealism to their photos. Like Filters, users can install new sticker packs through our in-app store. Packs like Space, Mustaches, and Wigs have been incredibly popular, and we're adding new stickers all the time.

  • Improved Focus Tool – Focus helps draw attention to the subject of a photo by defining the photo's focal point and blurring out background objects. We’ve modified the User Experience so it's easier to use, and more fun to play with. We bet a lot of you are going to be making miniature-looking photos these next few days ;)

  • Color Splash – Our awesome 'Splash' tool strips out color from your photo, then lets you paint it back in a super fun way. The Smart Color brush lets intelligently limit splash to the color of your choice, while the Free Color brush lets you just go nuts and color in whatever you want. It's one of our favorite tools, so check it out.

  • Reduced Bundle Size – We’ve reduced the file size of the editor by over 10%, which means it’s quicker to download and takes up less, precious space on your device.

The post Aviary’s Photo Editor gets overhauled in 3.0 release appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Rockmelt for Android arrives at last

Posted: 19 Jun 2013 10:34 AM PDT

rockmelt screenshotFans of Rockmelt’s past desktop browser and iOS app have been patiently waiting and the day has finally arrived. Rockmelt promised an Android version was on the way and today they delivered.

If you are not too familiar with Rockmelt, it is an app users implement to follow their news feeds and social media channels. It includes an internal social aspect since other Rockmelt users can follow you, and if you have logged in with your Facebook or Twitter account, you can see your friends' social updates as well (see images below.)

It took quite a while for the Rockmelt app for Android to arrive, but there is a strong reason behind the delay. According to their blog this morning, “it was important that (the app) is the right experience for Android users and not merely a port of an iOS app.” After moving the entire company focus over to Android, the company noticed an issue: size. Rockmelt says they want to deliver a user experience that is tailor-made for Android devices which often feature large displays. Instead of simply porting its iOS app to Android, Rockmelt had to develope a new UI that works well with a single hand, regardless of the screen-size. The principle is to make the UI appear upon a press & hold command, with all the controls laid out around the user's finger to speed up the next interaction.

One of the neat additions to the Rockmelt’s Android version includes what they call elevator buttons. These “buttons” allow users to tap the up arrow to see new content, and in turn tap the down arrow to return to where you were. No more missing content or stories due to checking notifications. Something all apps need in my opinion.

There is a whole array of new and exciting features for the new Rockmelt Android app. For more information, check out their blog, or head on over to Google Play to download.

Click to view slideshow.

 

 

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AT&T dials up NEC Terrain for rugged user base

Posted: 19 Jun 2013 09:55 AM PDT

AT&T and NEC announced on Wednesday that the carrier will soon offer an ultra-rugged smartphone aimed at consumers and enterprise users alike. Dubbed the NEC Terrain, the handset will run $99.99 with two-year service agreements when it debuts on June 21.

NEC Terrain Front

The NEC Terrain is powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and is notable for its military specifications (MIL-810G) for shock distribution, water resistance and dust-proof features. Internally, the handset offers a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 5-megapixel rear camera, up to 8GB internal storage, and 4G LTE connectivity. Additional details include 3.1" high resolution screen, microSD expansion, and Enhanced PTT (push-to-talk) capability.

AT&T and NEC Introduce ultra-rugged smartphone designed for hard work, real life

NEC Terrain Available Through AT&T Business Solutions Channels, Delivers Dedicated Enhanced Push-to-Talk and QWERTY Keyboard

DALLAS, June 19, 2013 – AT&T* and NEC Corporation of America today announced the upcoming launch of the ultimate workhorse among ruggedized 4G LTE smartphones, the NEC Terrain™. As one of the most ruggedized phones equipped with AT&T Enhanced Push-to-Talk (EPTT) **, NEC Terrain embodies toughened versatility and business-ready features.  Its design is aimed at breaking productivity barriers to keep workforces moving forward, while also keeping up with daily life outside of work. Available exclusively through AT&T Business Solutions channels and online beginning June 21, the NEC Terrain is priced at $99.99 with a two-year agreement and can be purchased at www.ATT.com/necterrain.

"Businesses have become increasingly mobile and employees need a smartphone that allows them to stay connected no matter where they are," said Mike Troiano, vice president – Advanced Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions.  "With AT&T Enhanced Push-to-Talk, access to the nation's largest 4G network and fastest 4G LTE network***, communicating is even easier than before so businesses can operate more efficiently and effectively."

The NEC Terrain can also be used over Wi-Fi, giving U.S.-based customers improved in-building coverage and access to the service via compatible Wi-Fi networks. AT&T operates the U.S.'s largest Wi-Fi network****, including more than 32,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots.

Featuring water and dustproof***** design, a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass™ screen and sturdy core construct  that exceeds the military specifications (MIL-810G) for shock distribution, the NEC Terrain is a durable smartphone built to perform in the toughest working conditions, as well as stand up to  the most demanding families.

"Enterprises are clamoring for reliable, easy-to-field smartphones, packed with the latest security and performance features to ensure productivity for today's on-the-go workforce to use both at work and home," said Scott Spreen, director of business development, NEC. "Whether looking for enterprise-wide solutions or blending a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) into the fold, we're excited to offer a product with AT&T that goes beyond the demands of enterprise users and perfectly blends the necessary features needed for work and personal use."

NEC Terrain is packed with a feature-set that helps users get the task at hand done quickly, efficiently and intuitively.

  • The dedicated Enhanced PTT key means immediate communication when it counts most without cumbersome menus or the need to change applications.
  • Speedy 4G LTE connectivity makes it simple to pull up plans, records or email from virtually anywhere.
  • Wi-Fi availability giving U.S.-based customers improved in-building coverage and access to the service via compatible Wi-Fi networks.
  • A dual core 1.5GHz QualComm® Snapdragon S4 processor and Android 4.0 makes multitasking simple and easy.
  • earSmart™ technology by Audience and NEC Terrain's dual speakers ensure communication is heard loud and clear with echo cancellation and noise suppression.
  • Physical QWERTY keyboard with a 3.1" high resolution screen places a virtual office in your hand when you're on the job or just on the move.
  • 5 MP rear camera and 0.3 MP front camera.
  • Up to 8GB of internal memory and MicroSD up to 32GB of expandable memory for ample file and photo storage.

Designed to take the heavy beatings of a mobile workforce and equipped to fit right into BYOD policies, the NEC Terrain gives IT managers the assurance that internal data and programs are safe, secure and inaccessible to prying eyes via VPN and on-device encryption. Plus, IT teams can remotely deploy applications and provide additional security with remote locking and wiping.
To learn more about AT&T Enhanced Push-to-Talk, visit http://www.att.com/EPTT.

More information about NEC Terrain and NEC can be found at: http://www.att.com/necterrain.

The post AT&T dials up NEC Terrain for rugged user base appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Droid Landing account shakes to life on Twitter

Posted: 19 Jun 2013 08:29 AM PDT

droid_landing_tweets

The Twitter account for Droid Landing (Droid Does) has reactivated itself in the last 24 hours and is now broadcasting new messages. Indeed, this is the first action since 2011 and the arrival of the Droid Razr.

From the sounds of it, we could be in for another scavenger hunt for devices or other fun stuff. Given the background wallpaper tells of an app to download and the video mentions a 50′ wARrior in your pocket we’re inclined to expect an augmented reality game. We suspect followers will be given coordinates to go find a specific spot on a map and “look” for the giant Droids.

UPDATE: As it turns out, it’s not much more than a game that pits players against others around the globe.

Whatever it is, we’re in.

The post Droid Landing account shakes to life on Twitter appeared first on AndroidGuys.

C Spire Wireless confirms plans to carry HTC One this summer

Posted: 19 Jun 2013 07:59 AM PDT

htc_one_cspire

C Spire Wireless formally announced on Wednesday that the HTC One will join its roster of Android smartphones later this summer. Unfortunately, pricing and exact availability are not known, however we’re expecting something in line with the other carriers. Customers and others interested in learning more can pre-register online at www.cspire.com/htcone.

C Spire Wireless

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Possible LG phone with always on voice commands rumored for 2014

Posted: 19 Jun 2013 07:43 AM PDT

lg_logo_720wGotta Be Mobile recently revealed information that LG will be launching a new Android smartphone with always-on voice commands in 2014. Unlike voice commands such as Apple's Siri or the Google Now search, LG looks to implement voice command more specifically for navigation functionality. This feature comes at a time when hands-free automobile laws are quickly gaining momentum, and using voice command would allow users to safely operate their smartphones without requiring them to touch the screen un-necessarily. For example, users could speak a command to tell Google Maps to pan around and switch views, or even tell Google Maps to zoom in or out. This is different from existing voice solutions, which are based mainly for searching, launching apps, and dictating.

Rumors of LG’s voice command syncs closely with what has been said about the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor (which we are told will have always-on voice capabilities) and should be available later this year. Presumably, even though we have no idea when LG’s mystery device will be available, we would believe that this would be the power behind their next smartphone.

All of this information comes less than a month after Motorola confirmed that their rumored situation-aware Moto X smartphone is real. The Moto X is said to have the ability to know when your vehicle is on, off or in motion, as well as have the ability to prepare your phones camera when you are getting ready to take a picture. The future of smartphones seems to be gaining so many smart capabilities so quickly it makes us wonder, what will happen to the devices battery life? Are Motorola and LG prepared for the burden on batteries that all of this technology may bring? As a user, would you be willing to trade off battery usage for features? Let us know in the comments below!

 

 

 

gottabemobile

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