Thursday, November 7, 2013

Android World Update # Google debuts standalone Text-to-Speech app for Android

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Google debuts standalone Text-to-Speech app for Android
Nov 7th 2013, 17:19, by Scott Webster

Google has released a standalone Text-to-Speech app for Android in the Google Play Store. This app will read aloud your books, speak translations, and other things – but in the more natural sounding voice that comes in the other Google experiences. Get rid of that lifeless, robotic voice that came with your smartphone. While it’s not earth-shattering stuff, it’s nice to have the option to change things up.

To use Google Text-to-speech Engine on your Android device, go to Settings > Language & Input > Text-to-speech output. Select Google Text-to-speech Engine as your preferred engine.

Languages supported: English (United Kingdom), English (United States), French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish

 

The post Google debuts standalone Text-to-Speech app for Android appeared first on AndroidGuys.

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Android World Update # Google Glass XE11 update brings new “life hack” commands

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Google Glass XE11 update brings new "life hack" commands
Nov 7th 2013, 17:31, by Quentyn Kennemer

MyAgenda

The folks at Google have announced that Glass update XE11 is now available, and it brings with it some great new commands. They’re calling these “great lifehack” commands, which simply means they’re designed to make life easier for you in peculiar, unique and extremely awesome ways. Here are just a few examples:

  • “OK Glass, Google.” then “My Agenda” brings up the most recent items in your schedule
  • “OK Glass, Google.” then “What am I doing in November” brings up items specifically scheduled in November.
  • “OK Glass, get directions to work” or “OK Glass, get directions home” will quickly help you navigate to those important destinations.

More Google Now-esque commands is always a good thing. Beyond all that, Google also made Glass setup easier (likely because users will soon be getting them without having to go to an orientation), added a screencast shortcut, and disabled the long-press gesture to activate search. The long-press gesture is now replaced by three quick taps of the touch pad, or by saying “OK Glass, Google.”

Be sure to fire your Glass unit up and get the upgrade as soon as humanly possible. Don’t have a Glass unit yet? Try your hand at our Great American Glass contest to win an invite to buy one — we still have a couple left to give away!

[via Google+]

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Android World Update # The Nexus 5 vs. the LG G2

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The Nexus 5 vs. the LG G2
Nov 7th 2013, 17:24, by Jerry Hildenbrand

Nexus 5 vs. LG G2

The newest Androids from LG are similar, but there are still plenty of differences

Google releases one Nexus phone each year, and there is always plenty of competition from Android vendors to compare it to. We're going to have a look at how the new LG Nexus 5 stands up against the best of the competition, and the LG G2 seemed like the logical place to start.

A lot of folks are under the impression that the Nexus 5 is just the G2 with the buttons moved to the "normal" location. While they certainly share some of the same components, and have some of the same hardware features, they are two very different animals. 

Hit the break and have a look.

read more


    






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Android World Update # Android Community

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Sony details plans for Kit Kat and Jelly Bean
Nov 7th 2013, 16:18, by Robert Nelson

Sony recently began teasing some Jelly Bean and Kit Kat updates. That was little more than Sony promising and update next week with more details about Android 4.3 and 4.4. Well, next week has arrived and so has that status update from Sony. There are still some specifics that will need to be spelled out, however Sony has offered some rough timelines and some specific devices.

Android-KitKat1-540x36011

Beginning first with Android 4.3, Sony has said Jelly Bean will be coming for the following devices; Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia SP, Xperia Z Ultra and Xperia Z1. The update is set to begin next month, but here is where we still need to see more detail. Sony has also made it clear that “software rollouts are a phased process – timings & availability may vary by market / carrier.”

Shifting over to Android 4.4 and it looks like Sony has plans to bring Kit Kat to five devices. Those five are all being pulled from the 4.3 update list, which means these handsets have at least two updates coming down the line. That said, the devices include the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z Ultra and the Xperia Z1.

Similar to the warning about the Jelly Bean updates, the same “software rollouts are a phased process” line was given for the Kit Kat updates. Bottom line here, while specific dates have yet to be given, we can only hope these updates arrive before the next major release of Android, which at the time has yet to even surface in rumor form.

SOURCE: Sony Mobile

US Cellular Galaxy S 4 Android 4.3 update begins tomorrow
Nov 7th 2013, 15:59, by Robert Nelson

US Cellular, by way of their Facebook page, have confirmed some good news for those carrying a Samsung Galaxy S 4. An update is coming, and coming soon. US Cellular has announced plans to begin the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update on November 8. And for those without a calendar handy, that would be tomorrow.

2013-05-29-540x2421211

Granted, we suspect some will be disappointed given the recent introduction and release of Android 4.4 Kit Kat, but that is how Android updates seem to work these days. Thinking on the positive side, at least the handset is being updated. The carrier hasn’t detailed anything specific in terms of the update, however we have seen those details from Samsung.

To begin with, Android 4.3 means support for the Galaxy Gear smartwatch. That is assuming any of the Galaxy S 4 users will want to shell out another $299 for a smartwatch. Otherwise, Android 4.3 will also bring an updated Easy Mode, Multi Window and some camera related goodies.

That being said, the update is set to begin tomorrow, which means the official details of the update will be revealed soon enough. Those with a US Cellular branded Galaxy S 4 can either sit back and wait for the update notification to arrive, or take the proactive approach and go looking for it.

Obviously, the first option is the easiest as it requires you to simply follow the prompts. The second route isn’t terribly difficult, but it does require you to dive into the settings and check manually by going to Menu -> Settings -> About phone.

VIA: phonedog

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Android World Update # Your Android Device Manager might be disabled from latest Google Play Services update, here’s how to re-enable it

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Your Android Device Manager might be disabled from latest Google Play Services update, here's how to re-enable it
Nov 7th 2013, 17:11, by Robert Nazarian

Android_Device_Manager_Example

Google recently updated Play Services, and it appears to have disabled the Android Device Manager on a lot of phones. This allows you to locate your phone in the unfortunate event that you lost it and wipe or lock it. We don’t think this was intentional, but you should head over to your settings to re-enable it. The issue seems to affect versions 4.0.30 and 4.0.31.

The first thing you need to do is find out what version of Play Services you have. Each phone is a little different, but you basically go into Settings, then Apps. Make sure you select the “All” tab. Scroll down till you see Google Play Services and tap on it. You will then see the version number. If you don’t have one of these newer versions, than you need to bookmark this page and go back and check in a few days.

Screenshot_Google_Play_Services

Assuming you have one of these newer versions, you need to now find out if your Android Device Manager is disabled. Again, each phone is slightly different. Head into your main settings and select Security, then tap on Device Administrators. You will now see Android Device Manager. If it’s unchecked, it means it’s disabled. To re-enable it, just tap on it and tap Activate at the bottom of the next screen. Android Device Manager should now be checked.

Screenshot_Device_AdministratorsScreenshot_Activate_Android_Device_ManagerScreenshot_Android_Device_Manager_Activated

That’s all there is too it. Hopefully this won’t happen again, but if it does, you will know what to do.

 


Come comment on this article: Your Android Device Manager might be disabled from latest Google Play Services update, here’s how to re-enable it

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Android World Update # ‘Note 3 Experience’ app lets you test out Note features on your existing Android handset

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thumbnail 'Note 3 Experience' app lets you test out Note features on your existing Android handset
Nov 7th 2013, 17:06, by Andrew Grush

note-3-experience

Wondering what's so great about Samsung's Galaxy Note 3? While you can certainly check out various hands-on videos and reviews to get a better look, there's something said for actually experiencing the Note's latest features. With that in mind, Samsung is now bringing Android users a way to get a taste of the Galaxy Note 3 experience right from their existing handset.

The "Galaxy Note 3 Experience" app is available right now from Google Play, and offers up the ability to test out S-Pen features like Air Command, Pen Window, Action Memo and S Finder. It also has some Galaxy Gear features to demo, and includes plenty of hands-on videos that are designed to help you dive deep into the Note 3 experience.

Of course the entire app is nothing more than a demo designed to make you think long and hard about switching to the Note 3, but it's certainly a well thought out program and is truly the closest thing you'll come to trying out the Note 3 without actually putting your hands on the device.

To grab the app for yourself, you simply need an Android device with at least 4.1 Jelly Bean onboard. Also don't forget to check out Android Authority's own Note 3 review to learn more about what to expect from Samsung's latest Note flagship.

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Android World Update # Sony unveils its Android 4.3 and Android 4.4 upgrade plans

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thumbnail Sony unveils its Android 4.3 and Android 4.4 upgrade plans
Nov 7th 2013, 16:22, by Andrew Grush

sony logo aa 3

As expected, Sony has finally officially brought us new details about their Android upgrade roadmap, both in regards to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and Android 4.4 KitKat.

On the Android 4.3 front, we can expect the rollout to make its way to the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia SP, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1, Xperia T, Xperia TX, and Xperia V. That's a lot of devices — which is certainly a good thing.

Sony didn’t highlight specific rollout times for each device, though they did say that the updates will begin starting sometime next month.

The Android 4.4 KitKat list isn’t quite as long, and consists of more recent popular devices: the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z Ultra and Xperia Z1. No timeframe was mentioned here at all, though we would imagine that the updates will start rolling out sometime in the 1st quarter of 2014. Keep in mind that’s just speculation on our part.

It's also important to note that this isn’t the complete list of devices getting KitKat, as Sony calls it a "first raft". In other words, if you have a fairly recent Sony device that's not on the list, there is still some hope that you’ll see KitKat.

It's good to see several manufacturers chiming in with the Android 4.4 KitKat plans, though so far only HTC has really nailed down a specific timeframe. What do you think of Sony’s plans — do you feel they are handling updates in a timely enough manner or not?

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Android World Update # You can earn Google Play Store credits for answering surveys with Google Opinion Rewards

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You can earn Google Play Store credits for answering surveys with Google Opinion Rewards
Nov 7th 2013, 17:03, by Quentyn Kennemer

While many of the app and game purchases in the Play Store amount to just a few dollars each (if that), some people are still very conscious about spending money on digital goods. We are in a recession, after all, and any opportunity to save money is highly appreciated. That’s why we’re excited to see something like Google Opinion Rewards.

Simply put, Google Opinion Rewards will give you Google Play Store credits  for answering surveys, likely for use with anything other than devices and accessories. Here’s how Google puts it in the app’s description:

Download the app and answer answer basic questions about yourself. About once a week you’ll get a notification on your phone that a short and relevant survey is ready for you

Interesting. Some examples of questions are “when do you plan to buy your next car” and “what kind of car will you most likely buy.” I don’t know about you guys, but it sounds like Google just found another way to find out even more information about you and your interests.

I obviously don’t think Google will use whatever information they happen to want for malicious reasons, but you can bet these answers aren’t going to just sit on a server for the fun of it. It sounds like Google will want to target ads toward you even more effectively based on the answers you give. Oh, you’re buying a car in two years? Well, we’ll just conveniently show ads from top manufacturers leading up to that point.

By no means am I a paranoid person, nor do I have anything to hide, so I’ve never had a problem with Google using their knowledge about me to target me with more ads. I can’t imagine things will change now (even if they’re gathering said knowledge in such a blatant and direct way), especially since I am actually being rewarded for it.

Of course, all of this is just an assumption based on Google’s historic monetization model. I could be way off the mark. Either way, if you have no qualms with it then you can find your free download in the Google Play Store.

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