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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrqZl2QIz0c

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xQ3y902DEQ

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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Google Sums Up 2013 In 1 Minute And 30 Seconds. The Result May Surprise You

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Google is on a mission to show you the top world events of 2013. Why? Because a lot of good happened this year.

It’s not too surprising that some highlights this year were celeb-centric (i.e. “the royal baby”) or that others revolve around this year’s tragedies (i.e. “Typhoon Haiyan,” and “Boston Marathon”).

But most of what we see is people overcoming challenges, acts of kindness and a multitude of reasons to celebrate the world we live in.

Of course, no year is perfect, and we should always strive to be better, kinder, nicer. But Google — and our team here at SLee and Topher — wanted to remind you that good always wins the day. [Read more…]

Remembering SOPA

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Two years ago, over 7 million Internet users like you helped defeat the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) — a bill that would have censored the web and impeded innovation.

Since we combined our voices to stop SOPA, creativity has continued to thrive — both on and off the web.

Remembering SOPA

Of course, piracy remains a major concern and Google does its part to fight it, but, two years after SOPA, it’s clear that the Internet has been really good for creativity and entertainment.

Singers, filmmakers, and comedians today have more outlets for creativity online than ever before. The movie and music industries remain strong, and thanks to the Internet we have so many more choices for entertainment, including YouTube videos, online-only movies and TV shows, and surprise online-only releases of popular music.

The only thing SOPA would have done is restrict creativity, collaboration, and freedom of speech. Our reaction demonstrated the power of regular Internet users to affect policy — and it’s a tradition we should continue.

Celebrate the second anniversary of stopping SOPA by sharing the graphic now.

Share on Google+: https://takeaction.withgoogle.com/remembering-sopa-gplus
Share on Facebook: https://takeaction.withgoogle.com/remembering-sopa-fb
Share on Twitter: https://takeaction.withgoogle.com/remembering-sopa-twt

Source: Derek Slater, takeaction.withgoogle.com

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.

Future Changes for Google’s Android App Inventor

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Android vs. Alien

Users of Google’s Android App Inventor were greeted today with an email from Google outlining immediate and future changes to the service.

In addition to an immediate change to the URL, Google states that by the end of the year it will no longer be supporting the service.

While your projects are safe for now, App Inventor users will need to retrieve any data that they want to save before the end of the year when MIT’s Google-funded Center for Mobile Learning will take the reins.

In case you accidentally discarded the email, here it is:

Dear App Inventor User,

As a result of the recent changes to Google Labs and App Inventor, effective immediately, the URL for App Inventor will change from appinventor.googlelabs.com to appinventorbeta.com. This URL change WILL NOT have an impact on your projects stored in App Inventor.  All data that you see in your appinventor.googlelabs.com account, as well as documentation and email forums will be available at appinventorbeta.com.

As we announced on the App Inventor Announcement Forum, Google will end support for App Inventor and open source the code base at the end of this year.  Additionally, in order to ensure the future success of App Inventor, Google has funded the establishment of a Center for Mobile Learning at the MIT Media Lab, where MIT will be actively engaged in studying and extending App Inventor.  This transition will happen at the end of 2011.  At that time you will need to download your data from appinventorbeta.com in order to continue working with it in the open source instance of App Inventor.  In the coming months we will send you detailed instructions on how to download your data.

Please visit the App Inventor user forums to get future updates on App Inventor.

The App Inventor Team

© 2011 Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043

You have received this mandatory service announcement email to update you about important changes to your App Inventor account.

Top image by JD Hancock

If you are interested in making your own Android apps, you can get started quickly with Android Apps for Absolute Beginners through my referral link. Even if you don’t have any experience programming or making apps, this book will get you started in this growing market. Click here to get it on Amazon.