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Check out the best stand-alone Android Wear 2.0 apps (so far)

Alexandra Arici
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One of the major benefits that Android Wear 2.0 brought to the table is that it basically transforms your smartwatch into a stand-alone Android device. Owners of old and new Android Wear 2.0 wearables will be able to run standalone apps without the need of having a phone nearby all the time, which is super convenient. So we have gathered up the best apps you can now use directly on your wrist.

Google Play Store

We’ll start off by telling you the Google Play Store has made it to Android Wear 2.0. In order to download or use Google’s services and apps on the smartwatch, users will need to add a Google account to it.

This mean you will no longer need to install Android Wear-compatible apps on your smartphone first. Instead you simply launch the Play Store on your wrist and download the app right there on your smartwatch.

Facebook Messenger

The Android Wear 2.0 Facebook app might not offer the full functionality of the desktop/mobile app, but it allows you to quickly reply to messages, send stickers and voice messages. It’s especially convenient to have around, in situations when you forgot you’re phone at home.

Strava

Strava is one of the first stand-alone Android Wear 2.0 apps that got announced. The running app comes with options to record and upload activities, even with their phones not being in vicinity. Strava on your wrist also offers performance analysis like time, distance, pace, lap time, split time and heart rate.

Runkeeper

Runkeeper also has a new updated app for Android Wear 2.0 which allows users to take advantage of stand-alone tracking on devices with a built-in GPS. Other improvements include higher display contrast for better viewing while working out plus a new activity summary screen.

Telegram

Telegram’s new Android Wear 2.0 app is quite rich in features, as it allows users to browse and respond to messages with voice, text, emoji and stickers in group or private chats. Users can also choose to jump into handwriting recognition mode, if they feel it’s the way they can express themselves the best.

The app comes boasting a new darker look, but also has several themes in different shades to choose from, if the former option doesn’t match your style.

Pulse SMS

Pulse SMS is another messaging app which lets you create group chats. The app allows you to view all your messages/conversation and lets you reply to the ones you want. Themes are also available and there’s an article viewer too in case you really-really need to view something.

Uber

It’s been almost 2 years since Google announced Uber will be making its way to Android Wear. Well now users can finally download the stand-alone app on their smartwatch. Android Wear 2.0 owners can now book a ride, check their driver’s progress, choose bookmarked destination, compare prices and ETAs without the need of bringing their smartphone out of the bag.

AccuWeather

AccuWeather has also launched its own stand-alone app for Android Wear 2.0. It delivers Hourly and Daily forecasts and users can add multiple locations and choose between Fahrenheit and Celsius.

The app features a watchface you can use that shows current weather conditions (located on top).

ZTE’s upcoming gigabit phone will pave the way to the 5G era

Alexandra Arici
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Last but month the rumor mill spurted out an interesting tidbit – Chinese phone maker ZTE might be looking to unveil a ground breaking phone concept at MWC 2017 in Barcelona.

And as we get closer to the grand event, more information related to the phone has appeared online via a report from The Verge. In January we couldn’t tell you much about the elusive phone, but now we can even reveal its name.

The device will be launched into the wild as the ZTE Gigabit Phone – and as the name indicates, it will be the world’s first gigabit phone capable of downloading speeds up to 1Gbps (at least on paper). And while we might have to wait until proper 5G devices make an appearance on the market, ZTE’s upcoming device represents a firm step into that direction.

ZTE says the phone will be able to shoot 360-degree VR, 4K video and offer instant cloud storage too. However, we’re not provided with any information about the device’s specifications.

We can only speculate that the ZTE Gigabit Phone will come equipped with a Snapdragon 835 under the hood, given that Qualcomm announced the high-end chipset will include a gigabit LTE-capable X16 modem.

The ZTE Gigabit Phone will most likely turn out to be a premium handset featuring high-end specs. A while ago, ZTE disappointed fans when it announced the experimental ZTE Hawkeye handset will come equipped with middle range specifications including a Snapdragon 625 chipset.

Hopefully, ZTE won’t make the same mistake again, as the ZTE Gigabit Phone has a very high chance of attracting customers’ interest.

WordPress app update gives bloggers more mobile-based tools (PROMOTED)

AndroidGuys
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It has been some time since we talked about the WordPress app for Android, having last formally covered some years back around the release of 2.0. As you would suspect, much has changed so we wanted to write an updated review outlining the newest features.

As WordPress proudly explains, WordPress for Android “puts the power of publishing in your hands.” Essentially, if you’ve already created a WordPress blog and want to monitor it from your Android device, then this is the app for you.

WordPress 6.7 for Android operates with almost all of the functions of the desktop or web version, but is even more optimized for mobile. It allows you to easily write, edit and post on the go, review your stats, read and respond to comments, and receive push notifications to your phone in order to stay on top of your blog’s activity – keeping an active conversation going with your followers. You can also switch back and forth between devices and have access to the entire world of WordPress from your pocket.

In all of the 6.0 WordPress for Android app versions, the app supports self-hosted WordPress.org sites and WordPress hosted WordPress.com sites, all running WordPress 3.5 or higher.

Updated Features

  • Voice comment replies from Android wearables using dictation or voice reply
  • Shortcut to System Settings from App Settings
  • Redesigned Reader post screen to match Calypso (web) Reader latest design. This includes:
  • Redesigned header with blogger or author avatar
  • Shortened dateline that includes post primary and secondary tags
  • Text is now included in the footer like & comment icon
  • Related posts section redesign to include “more in this site” and “more on WordPress.com” sections.

Put simply, WordPress applications make blogging with WordPress that much easier, efficient and more convenient. If you haven’t already started using WordPress for Android, now is a great time to start; you’ll have all of your blog activity at your fingertips.

Should every phone come with a Virtual Assistant onboard?

Alexandra Arici
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In 2017 virtual assistants are going to be everywhere. Need weather info? The Google Assistant will deliver that ASAP. Want to buy a new skirt? Alexa will take care of it, just bark a few voice commands at “her” and you’re done. These are only two examples of AI-driven auxiliaries that aim to help you successfully go about your day, but there’s a lot more of them, hidden deep within your smartphone’s entrails waiting for you to utter a request.

Apple has Siri, Microsoft has Cortana, HTC recently unveiled the Sense Companion and Samsung is expected to introduce Bixby with the Galaxy S8. Nokia has also been rumored of working on a virtual buddy for some of its upcoming premium handsets and the rumor mill has dubbed it Viki.

Possible Samsung Bixby Logo

As you can see, the virtual assistant space is getting really crowded. Maybe a bit too crowded. Even so, a new report coming from Bloomberg reveals that Huawei is also working on a smartphone virtual assistant of its own. According to the information, the Chinese device maker already has 100 engineers working on the project.

Not so long ago we found out that Huawei partnered up with Amazon to put Alexa on the Mate9 flagship. As it turns out, international Huawei phone products will ship out with virtual assistant solutions from Amazon and Google. However, Huawei’s own AI companion will be targeted towards the Chinese market. And maybe if the platform proves successful, Huawei will extend its availability to global models as well – in few years.

But will the Huawei assistant be able to stand out? It seems to us that today’s AI-driven assistants out there offer pretty similar functionalities. They make suggestions based on their knowledge of you as a person, answer queries or help you with your shopping lists. But no assistant is perfect – and there’s plenty of room to improve.

Google Assistant fail

Still, Google has dominion over to a lot of user info (via its services) and its machine learning algorithms are certainly superior than the competition’s. Which raises the question, will Huawei really have anything to contribute to the virtual assistant ecosystem? The Chinese company probably thinks so, since it has kickstarted the project.

Here are the full specs/press renders of Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus

Alexandra Arici
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In a few days Lenovo and Motorola are going to take the stage at MWC 2017 and launch (at least) two highly anticipate middle-range smartphone – the Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus.

Coming to replace the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus, the two handsets will sport fairly decent specs and affordable price-tags. While we wait on the official announcement, it turns out a Spanish retailer already “accidentally” listed the two new device for a short while before removing them from its website.

Thus we can now share with you the complete spec list of the Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus and show you a few press photos too. Here’s what you can expect.

Moto G5

  • 5-inch display with 1080 x 1920 resolution
  • Snapdragon 430 chipset
  • 2GB of RAM
  • 32GB of internal storage (expandable up to 128GB)
  • 13MP/5MP cameras
  • 2,800 mAh battery with 10W rapid charging (removable)
  • Fingerprint scanner
  • Water repellent coating
  • Android 7.0 Nougat
  • 3 x 73 x 9.5 mm
  • 145g
  • Precision-crafted aluminum design
  • Lunar Grey, Fine Gold options

Moto G5 Plus

  • 2-inch display with 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution and Gorilla Glass 3
  • Snapdragon 625 chipset
  • 2GB of RAM
  • 64GB of internal storage (expandable up to 128GB)
  • 12MP main camera with dual autofocus/5MP selfie camera
  • NFC
  • Fingerprint scanner
  • Water repellent coating
  • 3,000 mAh battery with TurboPower charging (non-removable)
  • Android 7.0 Nougat
  • 2 x 74 x 7.9 mm
  • 155g
  • Precision-crafted aluminum design
  • Lunar Grey, Fine Gold options

The Spanish promo materials don’t reveal pricing, but an earlier leak suggested the Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus will probably be sold for cheaper price tags compared to the precious generation.

We were recently told the Moto G5 with 2GB+16GB will be sold for approximately $193, while the 3GB+16GB model will have a $222 price-tag. In Europe the Moto G4 sold for approximately $255.

Xiaomi MI MIX 2 rumored to feature amazing screen-to-body-ratio of 93%.

Alexandra Arici
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Remember the stunning Xiaomi Mi MIX concept phone? The phone started selling a few months ago and Xiaomi soon followed up with a White version which got unveiled at CES 2017.

Since the Mi MIX proved to be quite popular with consumers, it’s only natural Xiaomi wants to offer a successor soon. And according to information unearthed on Weibo, the company has already started making plans for the Mi MIX 2.

It appears that Xiaomi will be partnering up with designer Phillipe Starck once again. Mister Starck has previously worked with the Chinese company for the first Mi MIX and will now be returning to the drawing board for the second iteration.

Xiaomi is hoping that with the help of mister Starck, it will be able to push the boundaries of design ever further. According to the info, the Mi MIX 2 should come with a stunning screen-to-body-ratio of 93%. The current model has a screen-to-body ratio of 91.3%.

Nothing else is known about the upcoming phone, except that it will probably feature the same ceramic body as the current model.

Bezeless phones are going to make a lot of headlines this year. Both the Galaxy S8 and LG G6 are expected to come boasting extremely skinny bezels. And other Chinese manufactures are looking to match Xiaomi’s offering with an alternative of their own.

For example, look at Elephone – an obscure device maker from China who is also looking to produce a so called “tri bezeless” phone. The device, dubbed the S8 is apparently going to launch with almost non-existent bezels on the side and on top.

At this point, it seems like trend is catching on, but bezeless phones aren’t going to become ubiquitous overnight. For the time being, this feature is restricted to a few models but more will probably emerge.

Learn a new language from native speakers with Verbling for Android

Alexandra Arici
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Many studies have shown that learning a second language can boost cognitive function, even in old age! And with technology being easily accessible to most of us, learning a language has never been easier.

Applications like Duolingo strive to become your personal smartphone-based tutor by providing students with interactive lessons and tests. However, these sort of apps are missing an important ingredient – interaction with real, live native speakers.

It’s important to be able to practice by verbally applying what you have learned or you risk forgetting it all. Well a new app for Android called Verbling aims to take care of this problem.

“For 5 years, we’ve been hard at work, changing the way digital language learning has traditionally been done. The last few years of app technology has transformed language learning and made it more accessible than ever, but its foundational model is broken. Almost nobody actually learns a foreign language without a strong emphasis on human speaking practice.”

Jake Jolis, CEO of Verbling

Verbling was previously available as a web based application, but now owners of Android (and iOS) smartphones will be able to install the app on their phones and get lessons on the go. What makes Verbling special is that it connects the learner with a qualified language (native) teacher. The Android app can deliver live lessons in up to 38 languages including Spanish, French or Japanese.

Getting started with Verbling is quite easy: all you need to do is decide which language you want to start learning and then start browsing available teacher profiles and introductory videos so you can select the best teacher for you. Students can purchase as many lessons with a particular teacher as they want. Schedules can be arranged based on the availability of the students.

While engaged in a lesson, students can see their teachers face to face, but unlike standard video calling apps like Skype, Verbling’s video conferences features a workspace section where teachers can easily share documents, flashcards and other educative material.

Learning a new language can turn into a tedious and frustrating affair, but luckily startups like Verbling are leveraging advances in mobile technology to make the process much more enjoyable. Are you ready to start learning a new language today?

Pokemon GO: massive update adds 80 new Pokemon, new gameplay, and more

AndroidGuys
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Just when when you had all but forgotten about Pokemon GO comes word of a major update to the game. Arriving later this week, the latest release sees the addition of all sorts of wonderful new features.

Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, and many more Pokémon are nearly here!

Chief among the new details are 80 Pokemon from the Johto region from the Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver video games. Moreover, gender-specific variations are also rolling out.

What else is coming to Pokemon GO? Plenty! And, from the sounds of it, the changes cover a wide variety of areas. Be on the lookout for new ways to customize your avatar, new berries for capturing Pokemon, and new evolutions. The next time you encounter a Pokemon? You’ll have a whole new way of going about it.

New Evolutions: There are now more opportunities to evolve your Pokémon in Pokémon GO than ever before. Some Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region will soon be able to evolve—into Pokémon that inhabit the Johto region! Be on the lookout for new Evolution items at PokéStops, which you’ll need to evolve some Pokémon.

New Encounter Gameplay: When you encounter Pokémon in the wild, don’t be surprised if they react in new ways as you’re trying to catch them. You’ll also notice the addition of new item carousels that allow you to select Berries and Poké Balls directly from the encounter screen. Hone your skills and catch those elusive Pokémon!

New Berries: Pokémon enjoy eating Berries, and you’ll have the opportunity to get two new Berries by spinning the Photo Disc at PokéStops—Nanab Berries and Pinap Berries! Giving a Pokémon a Nanab Berry will slow its movements, making it easier to catch. The Pinap Berry doubles the amount of Candy you’ll receive if your next catch attempt succeeds.

New Avatars and an Expanded Wardrobe: Now you’ll be able to give your avatar a complete upgrade! Customize your look with a whole new selection of hats, shirts, pants, and other items.

 

 

New Amazon Tap update might eliminate demand for Amazon Echo

Alexandra Arici
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Amazon Echo is a smart speaker which comes bundled with all-knowing virtual assistant, Alexa. The popular speaker debuted a few years back and can currently be purchased for $179 a pop. Alongside the Echo, Amazon also offers two sibling speakers which were announced last year, the Amazon Tap and Echo Dot.

The Amazon Tap is the closest thing to the Echo. From exterior to functions, the two are very similar. The Tap is a bit smaller and but features the same 7-microphone array as the Echo. But unlike the Echo, which has to be plugged into wall outlet in order to function, the Tap was designed to be a portable companion instead. The gadget is wireless and must use a cradle to charge.

Another notable difference between the two is that the Echo can be activated by voice, while on the Tap you’ll need to press a physical button in order to awake Alexa. However, that’s no longer the case as Amazon has recently pushed an OTA update which allows Tap users to use voice commands to activate the device.

With this new feature on board of Tap, a lot of customers will think twice when choosing between the Echo and the Tap, especially since the latter is $50 cheaper.

But before you make a decision you need to consider a few other things – for example, the Tap is capable of streaming up to 9 hours of audio on a full charge, but with the new hands-free mode battery life with certainly be affected. The Tap isn’t usually on by default, but the new feat will require the mic to say always-on.

You should also consider that audio quality on the Echo will be slightly better than the Tap. So if you’re mainly interested in speaker function, you should probably go with the Echo. But otherwise, the Tap is definitely the best option to choose – it’s cheaper, more portable and it has Alexa onboard too.

Would you buy a Snapchat smartphone?

Alexandra Arici
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Snapchat is a popular mobile app that allows users to send pictures and videos, which automatically self-destruct after the recipient views them.

But even if Snapchat is widely used today, it doesn’t mean the public will continue to be loyal to the app forever. And the company behind Snapchat – Snap – knows this very well.  While Snapchat has experienced tremendous growth since inception, significant slowdown is on the horizon.

With competing apps like Facebook and Instagram adding Snapchat-like features including stickers and disappearing photos and videos, Snap will have to search for alternative ways if it wants to stay relevant.

Could Snapchat’s salvation come from hardware products? After all, the company already offers Snap Spectacles – a pair of smart glasses which allow you to record 10 second Snaps. But this could be just the beginning. Actually Snap’s recent IPO does indicate the company isn’t all just about the app – it’s also interested in developing hardware.

What if Snapchat tried developing a dedicated smartphone? It’s not a new idea. Back in 2013, Facebook teamed up with HTC to create the first Facebook-centric phone called HTC First – a handset pre-loaded with Facebook’s own user interface and Facebook Home instead own HTC’s own Sense. Despite being quite a flop, the phone could inspire companies like Snapchat to create something superior.

If you are curious how a Snapchat smartphone would end up looking, marketing firm Mediakix is offering us a glimpse into a possible future (as they believe a phone is truly lineup in Snap’s future). They have imagined a phone which comes equipped with a Snapchat logo shaped home button and a 360 degree cameras, as well as volume buttons owners could use to scroll through Snapchat Lenses.

Obliviously, everything about the phone would spell Snapchat. As you can see in the concept images such a phone could arrive bundled with Snapchat OS and a home screen designed to diligently alerts users of any new stuff happening on Snapchat.

Even if this concept is fun to look at, we’re not really sure whether a Snapchat would be able to succeed, given how competitive the market it. Sure, the phone might sound promising for Snapchat enthusiasts, but even they might get bored of constantly being bombarded with Snapchat updates and feats. A Snapchat phone sounds like a way too specific device and most customers prefer versatile, can-do-it-all type of handsets instead.

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