SLee and Topher

Two Guys on Gaming, Tech, and the World

Android Wear: Google’s Wearables Platform Is Here

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Google is going all in on wearables. The company announced Android Wear on Tuesday, a new version of Android designed specifically for wearable devices.

Although Android Wear will ostensibly extend to all kinds of wearable devices, Google explains on its blog that it’s starting in the area that makes the most sense: the smartwatch.

The idea behind Android Wear is to bring contextual information to the user when it’s most needed. That can mean getting the latest updates from a social app, pumping in instant messages and photos, and showing the fastest route to get to your next appointment.

The first concept for Android Wear, which Google displays in a concept video, has a lot in common with what we’ve seen from both Google Now and Google Glass.

Android Wear is voice-enabled, following the “OK Google” dictation scheme of gathering information. Google also says that Android Wear will hit on the popular health monitor market, allowing for real-time access to data for both users and apps.

Of course, as Pebble has proven, a wearable platform is nothing without apps. Google has released a preview version of Android Wear for developers. This will allow existing Android developers to start preparing their existing apps for Android Wear, including customized notifications. The company says additional APIs and resources will be available soon.

Google also announced that it is working with consumer electronic brands such as Asus, HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung on Android Wear devices, as well as with chip makers such as Broadcom, Qualcomm and Intel — as well as fashion brands like the Fossil Group. Longtime smartwatch fans will recall the Microsoft SPOT powered Fossil smartwatch from the early 2000s.

Android Wear Watch

We expect to hear a lot more about Android Wear at Google I/O later this spring. Source.

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9 Famous Tech Mascots and Their Colorful Backstories

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Sports teams aren’t the only brands with popular mascots.

To amp up visibility and create consumer connections, companies like Bitly and TiVo design fun mascots to get users more invested in their products. A successful campaign can go viral and help propel certain brands to household names. You can’t think of Energizer without picturing its bunny, just like you can’t imagine Geico without the gecko.

Let’s examine nine such mascots and their mysterious origins. [Read more…]

Android Drive-By Malware

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Android Drive-By Malware does not look like this.

Not quite Android drive-by malware, but you get the point.

The Final Frontier

At last, drive-by malware arrives on Android.

Since 2008, users of the Android mobile operating system have enjoyed relatively little scandal when it came to the security and stability of their devices, with the exception of a few Gingerbread exploits. However, as of 2012, the cybersecurity giant Symantec announced that they had discovered one of the first malicious drive-by applications written specifically for Android. [Read more…]

HTC EVO Icons: What Sprint Forgot to Tell You

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The AndroidYou know those notifications icons that show up in the status bar of your HTC EVO? How often do you look at them and wonder, “What the heck does that mean?” For a complete run-down of all the possible HTC EVO icons that might show up in that status bar, take a look at this chart. [Read more…]

Top 6 Must-Have Android Apps for Business Travel

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Where Blackberry was once the dominant force in the business world, Android is now the most popular platform for Enterprise users and business travelers. A big reason for that comes down to software. Aside from the fact that Android handsets offer greater diversity of choice in terms of hardware, there’s simply far more software for business travelers on Android. Here are half a dozen apps to make business travel a bit more stress-free. [Read more…]

Use Mini-Sessions in Life is Crime to Maximize Progress

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Mobile games are fun, but if you’re like me, you don’t have a lot of time to play them at any given time. Fortunately, the game structure of the new hit Android app Life is Crime is serendipitously conducive to this pattern of gaming.

Like the Facebook game The Sims Social, you have limited resources in Life is Crime, specifically energy and stamina. Use up your resources, and you won’t be able to do very much until you get some more. Again, much like The Sims Social, you can buy more energy and stamina, or wait until they replenish on their own.

Thankfully, they do replenish. This means you can use them all up, put your Android device down, and come back for some more action a few hours later. By rationing your gaming in these mini-sessions, you can quickly make a name for yourself in the Life is Crime universe without dropping wads of cash on in-game purchases.

Here is a breakdown of  SLee-style mini-sessions in Life is Crime.

Grab the Cash When Life is Crime Loads

Life is Crime loads you in your safe house, where you are greeted with a menu of some general stats. In the middle of the stats, there is an option to “Collect.” This is money you earn for controlling locations. Tap the button to get your money. After you get your money, accept any friend invites or gifts available, and then…

Hit the Streets

After tapping the large, obvious button, you are loaded in your “Gamefeed.” You can use this to see what your friends are doing or find people to fight, but there are more productive things to do in your mini-session in Life is Crime.

You can get more done by going to the Map. Pick a location close to you (the closer locations will use less energy, therefore maximizing your productivity) and see if there is anyone with a similar rank on the leader board at this location.

2 Reasons to fight someone with a similar rank:

  1. If you fight someone with a higher rank, you will most likely be demolished.
  2. If you fight someone with a much lower rank, your rep will take a temporary hit for picking on small fries.

When you find someone with a similar rank, tap on their name to see their stats. If your attack and defense are better than theirs, you can probably when a fight with them. Tap “fight” to be taken to the fight screen; then duke it out until you win.

In each round, a few things happen:

  • You burn one stamina point.
  • You (potentially) earn money.
  • You earn XP.
  • (If you fight with someone through the location menu instead of the friend stream) you earn points on the leader board for that location.

When you win the fight, you will earn extra money, XP, and location points. This is the fastest way to move quickly up the leader board.

No More Stamina? Start Using Energy

After you use up all your stamina, it’s time to start using your energy.

You can contact a dealer for a delivery of stolen goods or drugs. Drop these at the location to get more money and location points.

Use your remaining energy to steal, rob, or whatever other activity is available at your location for more money, XP, and location points.

When all your energy is used up, you won’t be able to do anymore money-making activities until your next mini-session. Before you’re done, you can head to the shop to see if there are any items that you can upgrade with your newly-earned money.

Come back a few hours later when your energy and stamina have recovered and repeat these steps. Using these mini-sessions in Life is Crime, you will quickly rise in the ranks of the criminal underworld.

Do you have any other tips? Leave a comment below.

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How to Save on Texting Fees for Smartphone and iPhones

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Save on Texting FeesCell phone companies are making bank off of the text message packages that people are being required to purchase as a part of their plans. Not only do smartphones need a data plan for internet usage, but they must also add a text plan, if they are avid messengers that is. Most teenagers will definitely fall under this category. All of these messaging, minutes and data costs can add up. So how can you lower your phone bill and still be able to be involved in the “texting” generation? Here are a few options you can use for you Smartphone or iPhone that will help you save money on all of those texting bills:

**As a note before reading any of these, be aware that most will require that you get a second phone number, usually acquired for free through whichever service you choose.**

Google Voice

Google Voice is an excellent service for making any and all phone calls/text messages for free on both Android phones and iPhones. Unfortunately, if you already have a cell phone number, you will have to get a second Google Voice number, as with most of the services below. If you can make it happen, give all your friends and family your Google Voice number. With this number, you will not only be able to send and receive text messages, but all phone calls will be automatically forwarded to your normal cell phone number. All domestic services are free. International services are also available at a low rate.

Skype

Skype, one of the most popular online phone systems, also offers texting services. Unlike Google, they charge a fee of 4.7¢ per message, which is still about half of what a pay-as-you-go phone would charge. With Skype, you can send a message from the computer or a mobile device that has a Skype app. Then you will receive responses in your regular Skype chat window.

Text+ for Apple

Don’t be fooled by the + sign in the name, this texting and phone service is made for Apple. Although, it is very similar in function to Google Voice. You can get a free Text+ number and use it to make and receive phone calls and text messages on any of your apple devices, including the iPod touch. However, if you are using anything but an iPhone, you’ll have to wait until you are within range of a wireless connection to receive any of your messages. A great free option, but dependent on internet reception or having an iPhone.

The biggest challenge to overcome when trying to find a way to lower your phone bill is the issue of balancing two phone numbers. It can be a real pain to change your number and inform all of your acquaintances of the change. However, if you analyze the people with whom you pass the most texts, you might be able to inform them of the change. That way, you can switch over to a free texting service for your Smartphone or iPhone with the people who are using up most of your texts/minutes. This will reduce the number of paid-for texts you receive on your phone and allow you to lower the limit on your text messaging plan or having a lower bill if you are on a pay-per-text plan.

Top image by katerha.