Friday, April 11, 2014

Fresh Meat: 10 new Android apps worth checking out

New apps need lovin’ too, right? Every day there are thousands of additions to the Google Play Store, but many go unnoticed and never receive the attention they deserve. We’ve shown in the past that this community can discover great apps and propel them to new heights. Our weekly Fresh Meat column highlights new apps with fewer than 100,000 installs. Browse our new Android app picks below and let us know which ones you enjoy.

Watchup: Your Daily Newscast

Description: Watchup is the smartest way to watch video news because it builds your personalized newscast from a growing number of local, national and international news channels. Just turn it on to watch your newscast play continuously. Schedule an alert to receive your newscast at your preferred time. Need more context? Read text articles related to the video you are watching

AutoCast

Description: AutoCast is a Tasker plugin that gives you full control over your Chromecast. It not only enables you to cast images, audio and video from Tasker, but you can also cast and control many other local or web contents, like YouTube videos and playlists, notifications, voice, and web pages! You can also take over other apps that are being cast and control their playback!

Inkling eBooks – Beta

Description: Inkling’s interactive eBooks are designed to help you learn, study, and discover just about anything, whether it’s for school, work, or play. Our books cover the gamut from anatomy to photography and travel to cooking.

Javelin Browser

Description: Javelin is a GORGEOUS Android browser built focused on the mobile experience of surfing the web. #1 mobile browser with built-in adblock. First Android browser with reading mode (Similar to Readability/Pocket app). One-touch navigation for everything

Knock Lock

Description: Knock Lock is simple application that allows you to select area on your display to enable “knock to sleep” feature. Also in app you can select size of area available for knocking.

Automatic

Description: Automatic is your Smart Driving Assistant. It wirelessly connects your car and your Android using Bluetooth®. With Automatic, you can: Drive smarter and save big on gas. Get feedback on your driving style with subtle audio cues when you do things that waste gas. Know what that check engine light means and clear it with a tap. Track your trips and drive score. Always remember where you parked. Get emergency assistance in a serious crash. (Coming soon)

Samsung Smart Home

Description: Samsung Smart Home Application enables people to easily connect with various Samsung home devices including refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, ovens, vacuum cleaners, lighting and more through your smart phones and wearable devices. Using the Smart Home app, you can access your home devices from anywhere and includes convenient services such as check status, control, home view, and connect to service centers. Convenience, easy remote access, and other practical features are all part of the compelling Samsung Smart Home experience.

Downtyme

Description: Downtyme is the fastest, most convenient way to get together with friends in your free time. Scheduling your free time has to start with knowing when you’re busy. Easily import or input your commitments and Downtyme will figure out the rest. Downtyme uses intelligent algorithms to accurately determine who you’re most likely to spend your free time with. Of those friends, Downtyme filters out the ones that are too far away and shows you the ones nearby.Select one (or many) of your friends who are also free and ask to hang out, eat, or even shop. It’s all up to you!

Distiller

Description: Distiller is your companion, guide, and collection as you grow the whiskey side of your life. Get a personalized whiskey recommendation for any situation, whether you’re at a bar with your friends, growing your personal collection, discovering a new flavor, or giving a gift. We go beyond the label to offer suggestions based on your tastes matched with the unique characteristics of each bottle.

Huey – Camera for Philips Hue

Description: Watch your lights come to life with Huey! The first camera application for the Philips Hue that allows you to create amazing “point and shoot” ambient light effects with no effort. Why spend money on expensive and complicated ambient light systems when all you need is this app coupled with a pair of Philips Hue lights? With Huey, you can create gorgeous ambient light effects when watching your favorite movies or TV shows, by simply pointing your camera to your screen, it’s that simple!

Apple iPad Pro release date, specs, rumours, price

Apple is working on a new, larger iPad aimed at people who want higher-specs, a bigger screen and the best iPad money can buy. The company is reportedly also working on the iPad Air 2.The iPad Pro hasn't been officially announced, but rumours and leaked details mean there is little doubt it exists. It could be released sometime in the second half of 2014 as Apple looks to further bolster its product range with the iPhone 6 and the iWatch also rumoured to be launching in the back half of the year, along with iOS 8.Exactly what Apple calls this new iPad remains to be seen – and there might even be two new iPads announced. Names rumoured include the iPad Air 2, iPad Pro and the iPad 6. Apple doesn't have a very clear naming convention for iPad, which makes predicting what the next model will be called difficult.We'll be regularly updating this page with the latest news, rumours, leaked images and more.

WHEN WILL THE iPAD PRO, iPAD AIR 2 OR iPAD 6 LAUNCH?

Apple tends to update its product lines once every year. It has been reported that Apple will launch the iPad Pro sometime in October 2014 – the original iPad Air launched on 22 October 2013.Apple could show off the iPad Pro/iPad 6/iPad Air even sooner – the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) takes place June 2-6. Such an early announcement seems unlikely however, with speculation suggesting Apple will mostly focus on iOS 8.Respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that a new iPad Air will launch this year with the iPad Pro following sometime in 2015."We believe Apple plans to launch upgraded iPad Air early this year, and will accelerate development of 12.9in iPad. As such, more resources will be allocated to these two products, which will affect the progress of the development of new iPad mini. All told, we think chances of the debut of a new iPad mini in 2H14 are slim. In addition, the 12.9in iPad is unlikely to be offered in 2014. For these reasons, we predict the only new iPad product in 2H14 will be the upgraded iPad Air,” he wrote in a note to investors.So far opinion is divided, but it appears certain that we'll see at least one new iPad model in 2014, be that an updated iPad Air or the new iPad Pro.

iPAD PRO SCREEN SIZE

It has been widely reported that the iPad Pro will have a 12.9in screen. This would make it more like a laptop than Apple's other iPads. Apple already has the 7.9in iPad mini and 9.7in iPad 4, so a 12.9in iPad Pro would be a natural progression.We've already seen so-called 'pro' tablets from the likes of Samsung, with larger screens and a greater emphasis on productivity a big selling point. With the iPad mini Apple has shown that it is now more willing to experiment with different devices than it was under Steve Jobs, so a big-screen iPad isn’t such an outlandish idea.Back in July 2013 the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was experimenting with larger screens for iPads and iPhones and various reports since have suggested that this is the case.Rumours about the resolution of the screen point to two options. A 2K screen would put the new iPad Pro in line with the iPad Air and iPad mini 2, while a 4K screen with a resolution of around 3840 by 2160 pixels has also been mooted.In January 2014 research firm DisplaySearch reported that a new iPad would have a 12.9in screen with a resolutionof 2,732 by 2,048 with a pixel density of 265 PPI. That would make it one of the most impressive screens ever seen on a tablet.

iPAD PRO DESIGN

SET Solution has had some fun and put together a concept video that shows how they think the new iPad Pro will look. The 12.9in iPad Pro looks a lot like the iPad Air, albeit with an even thinner bezel and thinner edges and a dual LED flash for the camera.For something a bit stranger, in February 2014 SET did a second video showing a 12.9in iPad Pro that runs OSX. This is extremely unlikely. Apple has spoken out against merging its mobile and desktop operating systems, saying it makes no sense to do so.Unlike the iPhone 6, which has seen more 'leaked' (read that as 'fake') product shots than you can shake a stick at, the iPad Pro hasn't sparked people's imaginations. It seems likely that Apple will continue in its quest to make iPads slimmer while staying true to the simple, clean design.

iPAD PRO FEATURES AND SPEC

In line with iPhone 5s, we'd expect Touch ID to be included on any new iPad models, be they the iPad Air 2, iPad 6 or iPad Pro. Whether or not Apple will include a faster processor in the new iPad is a topic of some debate – it is in the habit of incremental upgrades to its hardware, but the current iPad Air is already one of the fastest tablets around. Even the most demanding games run on it fine, so the need for a faster processor isn't too great. That said the iPad Pro will likely use a more powerful version of Apple's A7 chip and might even make the jump to a new A8 processor.It is very likely that the iPad Air 2, iPad 6 and or iPad Pro will have updated Wi-Fi. Apple has already introduced 802.11ac Wi-Fi support into its Mac line, so we'd expect to see it added to its new iPads.Apple's numerous patents also shed light on what the company might have planned for its new iPads. In June 2011 the company filed a patent for a touchscreen and stylus combo. A so-called 'iPen' might make sense on an iPad with a larger screen. Apple has filed numerous patents for a stylus, covering everything from how the pen is detected to laser pointers and scanning.

A bigger iPad would also lend itself to use with a proper keyboard and Apple isreportedly working on one. A cover that doubles up as a decent keyboard would pit the iPad Pro directly against Microsoft's Surface range, especially now that Office is available for iPad.

Sony Xperia Z2 delayed AGAIN

Sony has warned that its Xperia Z2 Android smartphone is being hit by further delays withcomponent shortages and limited stock to blame.The UK launch has already reportedly been pushed back until the end of May, with similar problems occurring worldwide. Sony has now confirmed that it is pushing back the handset's Hong Kong launch still further to June. No reason for the delay has been given, but it certainly seems that the rumoured component shortages are causing trouble for the company.There have also been reports from Singapore, where the device is already available in limited numbers, that manufacturing defects are causing overheating during 4K video recording and that there are gaps in the waterproof housing.The company's latest flagship smartphone is a follow-up to the Xperia Z1. It retains the waterproof housing of its predecessor and has a larger screen, slimmer bezel and is thinner and lighter.Sony has yet to update its formal launch schedule for the Xperia Z2 in the UK.

Samsung Galaxy S5 premium software bundle revealed for the UK

Tomorrow marks the official UK release of theGalaxy S5, and if a better camera, fitness focus and more powerful internals weren't enough to tempt you into upgrading Samsung has just announced a comprehensive set of premium mobile apps and services for new customers.Anyone picking up a Galaxy S5 here in Britain, either tomorrow at launch or later in the year when their current phone contract expires, will qualify for a selection of pre-paid and discounted subscriptions to a number of big-name Android apps and services, including a three month subscription to Instructor Live. The fitness app has over 500 instructional classes and videos to watch live or download on demand, and with names like Cellulite Dynamite, Top Guns, Pyjama Pilates, Beditation and Yogini Bikini, it sounds like there's something for everyone.

If you prefer running to indoor exercise, you'll have plenty of other apps to choose from. There's a one year subscription to Run Keeper Elite, a year of Map My Fitness MVP membership, a year's subscription to Skimble and twelve months of Endomondo premium. Samsung is working closely with these providers to integrate their services into the S5's S Health app, with a view to adding support for the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit to take advantage of their integrated heart rate sensors and accelerometers.

Samsung has also struck a deal with music streaming app Deezer, giving customers six months' access to the Premium+ service which includes high quality 320kbps streaming and access to Deezer's music recommendations - a saving of £60. Deezer's catalogue currently has over 30 million music tracks, and the deal means S5 owners can enjoy them without adverts.

Other benefits include a twelve month subscription to Bloomberg Businessweek+, 6 month subscription to the Wall Street Journal, three months of LinkedIn Premium, three months of Evernote Premium and a selection of discounts through the PayPal app, which can use the S5's fingerprint sensor to transfer payments. Samsung's deal with Dropbox also reappears, meaning Galaxy S5 customers get 50GB of extra online storage space just for signing in to the service through their new handset.

“The Galaxy S5 was designed to offer consumers the most advanced tools to help improve their everyday lives and a big part of that is health and wellbeing," Simon Stanford, Samsung UK's VP of IT & Mobile said. "These new partnerships provide a comprehensive offering of some of the world’s best mobile resources to suit people’s active lives.”

The Galaxy S5 goes on sale tomorrow, the 11th of April. If you want to know where's the cheapest place to pick one up, make sure to read our Best Galaxy S5 dealsarticle.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Developer Edition coming soon to Verizon

Samsung released Developer Editions of the Galaxy SIII and S4, so it's not a huge surprise to see a similarly-equipped Galaxy S5 appear on the company's website. The listing reveals that a CDMA-capable version with Verizon branding will land at some point in the future, but fails to elaborate further. What we do know is that it'll be available in black with 16GB internal storage, and we'd guess that it won't be offered under subsidy -- but that's a small price to pay for an unlocked bootloader. There's no word on if AT&T will get a Developer Edition S5 of its very own, but we wouldn't be shocked if one popped up in the next few