| Pressy wraps up Kickstarter campaign well funded, reaches last-minute stretch goal Oct 15th 2013, 21:30, by Nate Swanner Pressy, the device that wants to make a home in your mobile device audio jack, just hit another stretch goal. This one, which made the deadline for all funding, will allow us to take screenshots and edit them. 
Just by holding down on Pressy, we'll be able to take and edit screenshots, letting us draw or write on top of any pic. The functionality happens in one long press, so there is no need to have a special app or mess with uploads and downloads. Just hold down Pressy, anotate the shot as you like, and let go. You'll then have the ability to share it as you like, or just hang on to the screenshot.
This stretch goal comes just before their overall campaign wrapped up on Kickstarter. In seeking $40,000 originally, the team ended up with just shy of $700,000. While it's no Ouya, it's easily one of the most successful crowdsourced campaigns we've ever seen. Pressy is already promising the ability to do all kinds of things, from unlocking your device to launching apps. The ability to long-press adds extra functionality, but could come in handy later on. As time passes, the team behind Pressy will undoubtedly add more features, and we're excited to see what else is coming. With over 28,000 backers, Pressy definitely has a lot of eyes watching to see what they can do.
|  | Paranoid Android enter "legal gray area" with official 0-Day GAPPS pack Oct 15th 2013, 21:01, by Robert Nelson If you have installed a custom ROM such as Paranoid Android or CyanogenMod you likely understand the need for the GAPPS package. At the same time, you likely understand the frustration of those packages. They can be frustrating for a variety of reasons and it looks like the folks at Paranoid Android have taken this matter into their hands. Coming by way of the Paranoid Android Google+ page, we have the “Official 0-Day GAPPS.” 
Now take note, the team acknowledges this is entering a “legal gray area.” They go on to talk about how they hope “Google decides to turn a blind eye on this let us at least do them the courtesy of making sure the original Google experience isn’t broken or adulterated.” But perhaps more important here, they are promising this 0-Day package to work on all ROMs. The Google apps included will be unmodified, always up to date and complete. The package will include all the necessary dependencies and libs, the ability to survive ROM updates (with mention that “most” ROMs support this feature) and that on Paranoid Android — they auto update over-the-air. And if you still needed more convincing, they go onto mention how “you won’t find a cleaner offering with that level of maintenance no matter which Rom you run.” In addition to the details coming from the Google+ page, the team also have a thread going over on the xda-developers forum. That thread includes a bit more detail on the packages as well as links to download. There are options for a full complete package, full modular package, mini modular package and add-on modules. The package you want will depend on the apps you prefer to have and each has a full and proper description so there should not be any surprise in terms of what you are downloading. | | Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch gets rooted Oct 15th 2013, 20:40, by Robert Nelson Samsung has taken some criticism on the Galaxy Gear smartwatch. The reviews have been so-so and it seems many are still waiting and hoping to see the watch get a bit more in terms of functionality. We recently saw a hack that allowed the Galaxy Gear to run regular Android apps, and more recently, it looks like the watch has been rooted. 
The details of the root are coming by way of the xda-developers forums. User photonicgeek has shared the process, as well as the steps that would be needed to reverse the process. As we often say with these types of situations — this is something you should do at your own risk. Photonicgeek has the process broken down into just a few steps, which seems to be rather basic. You need to install some official drivers from Samsung and also grab the Cydia Impactor from Saurik’s website. Otherwise, the process involves enabling ADB mode on your Gear and installing those drivers. From here, you can have root access. Of course, what we just listed is a much simpler version of the actual steps. Photonicgeek also mentions that once rooted, the device will still look as it did before. With that, while root has been achieved, there is still a bit more to the process. After you have root access you will need to install a utility, such as SuperSU or Superuser. That all being said, while the process itself does involve some risk — your watch and what used to be your $299, there is another side to consider. The other side here is that it seems many are unsure of what to actually do now that the watch has been rooted. The xda thread is basically in what we would consider discovery mode at the moment. Users seem to be working through the process and taking it to further places. Needless to say, unless you are experienced in rooting and playing with Android, we would likely suggest holding off at the moment. Still, this would be a good thread for Galaxy Gear users to keep an eye on. | | Samsung phones could see magnetic resonance charging in 2014 Oct 15th 2013, 20:32, by Nate Swanner On the heels of a recent investment into a company that is working on a certain type of wireless charging, Samsung is reportedly set to make the technology available on their devices, starting next year. By including magnetic resonance technology, Samsung could allow your device to charge in just about any scenario. 
The wireless charging we currently take advantage of on most mobile devices is Qi charging, which requires a docking station or charging pad. Your device must maintain contact with the pad, but doesn't require any plugs or connections. We've seen a form of wireless charging that creates a small field on top of Qi charging, but magnetic resonance is a bit different.
While all wireless charging operates in the same fashion — creating a field of power — magnetic resonance essentially creates a larger field, allowing for your devices to charge without actually needing to come into contact with anything. Magnetic resonance also has the ability to transmit power through solid objects like tables or walls. The upside is huge, as it could theoretically create a power grid throughout a room, office, car, or even building. The downside is that the safety implications are unknown, and wireless charging is still searching for a standard. With differing technologies and various companies backing them, the wireless charging situation is still taking shape. Samsung happens to have a stake in just about every consortium, technology, and company around, so they may just be a good barometer for how things will take shape with wireless charging.
| | Nexus 5 could launch with Nexus 4 LTE, new report suggests Oct 15th 2013, 19:39, by Nate Swanner Remember that workaround that gave Nexus 4 users LTE capabilities on their device? It left many wondering why Google didn't simply enable it for everyone. The Snapdragon chipset had LTE included, which lends itself to a new rumor that along with the Nexus 5, we'll see an LTE version of the Nexus 4. 
As we do with all rumors, this is observed cautiously. According to Android Geeks, "A source close to the Mountain View-based giant who wished to remain anonymous" detailed to them Google's plans for the launch of the Nexus 5 also includes an LTE Nexus 4, which will carry the same price point it originally came with: $299 or $349. The difference, aside from LTE, will be the storage options — according to their source, we'll see either 16GB or 32GB with the Nexus 4 LTE, of course corresponding to the two price points.
This is also the reason for the Nexus 5 price hike, he says. The Nexus 5 is said to debut at $399 and $449, and come with the same 16 or 32GB storage options. Of course, that new device is said to pack a host of updated features, including a larger screen with better resolution and Snapdragon 800 processor. We find both merit and fault with this rumor, and it leaves us conflicted. On one hand, it would be nice for Google to have offerings at multiple price points. For some, even $400 is out of the question, so keeping the tried-and-true $300 price point is a nice option to have. 
The questions come with this being new territory for Google. They traditionally leave the past behind them, and don't bring back devices once they've reached the end of their cycle. The Galaxy Nexus was in stock right up until the Nexus 4 launched, but Google refused to make them available. Selling both the Nexus 4 and 5 is a bit Apple-esque. While not a bad option, it's just not something we've seen from them before. The Nexus 4, however, is still a great device, and we've seen versions of Android 4.4 running on it before. With all things Nexus, this could also leave current Nexus 4 owners with an updated version of Android and access to LTE. We can't say we trust this info, but we can't say we'd blame Google for doing it, either. The Nexus 4 still has legs, and an LTE refresh would be a good option. It could also take some heat off the Play Store, which saw a crush of fans during the Nexus 4 launch. | | Aviate Launcher promises simplicity and intelligence, currently sits in private beta Oct 15th 2013, 19:39, by Robert Nelson There are plenty of available options for Android launcher apps. In fact, it seems we are having a run on launchers that are arriving in beta form. Just recently we took at look at Themer and while we haven’t gotten hands-on with this other just yet, we are looking forward to taking it for a test drive. The other launcher is called Aviate and it has just recently arrived in the Google Play Store. 
The catch here, while available for download, there isn’t all that much you can do with the launcher just yet. Aviate supports devices running Android 2.3 or later and installing the app will allow you to quickly request an invitation. So in that sense, if you are looking to check Aviate out, moving forward with an installation seems good sooner rather than later. Perhaps more important for now — what Aviate is all about. Looking at images provided by the Aviate team and we are seeing a style similar to Google Now. As for what they say, the Aviate launcher is an “intelligent homescreen that simplifies your phone.” To further that, Aviate is said to automatically organize your apps, which should make it quicker and easier to get the information you want and/or need. Aviate promises to update through the day and offer “information at the moment it’s useful.” Thankfully, the Aviate team has provided a video offering a look at how this should work. Otherwise, some of the key features are said to be simplified navigation, a clean design, personalization and collections. That all being said, we have seen launchers make big promises in the past so we are going to have to reserve judgement until we get to do a bit of playing around. In the meantime, it does look like the app is being updated and improved over time. In fact, one of the more recent updates brought some bug fixes as well as scrollable widgets, improved stability, improved battery performance and more. SOURCE: Aviate | |
