Amazon Appstore for Android gets a Kindle Fire-inspired facelift

The Kindle Fire itself may still be a week away from release, but users of other Android tablets and phones can now get a small taste of what's in store courtesy of version 2.0 of the Amazon Appstore. That update began rolling out late last night and, as you can see above, it brings with it a refreshed UI that moves the app more in line with the Kindle Fire's steely gray interface. The update also adds support for in-app purchases and parental controls, as well as a number of other tweaks and performance improvements. Still no sign of those big-name apps that are promised for the Kindle Fire, though.

Amazon Appstore for Android gets a Kindle Fire-inspired facelift originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/amazon-appstore-for-android-gets-a-kindle-fire-inspired-facelift/

Ingeburg Liebermann Elsa Alexander Furtmann Siegrid Holstein Michael Vollmar

Google's Matias Duarte details Android's new 'Roboto' font

Roboto font

At the heart of Android 4.0 is the Roboto font. More important than even hardware -- which as we all know too well iterates every few months or so -- this is the building block for Ice Cream Sandwich. And whether you're a flourishing font nerd or just have a casual interest in what goes into the best mobile operating system in the world, it'd behoove you to give Matias Duarte's excellent explanation of why Android moved from the Droid font, how they designed it, and how it's going to impact you on a daily basis. It's a fascinating look into the design evolution of Android.

Read: Hello Roboto on Google+

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/jnP2ZtGYJ9k/story01.htm

Elsa Alexander Furtmann Siegrid Holstein Michael Vollmar Robin Jones

RIM: BBX smartphones will have same resolution, aspect ratio as PlayBook, BES support, too

Wondering what RIM's got up its sleeves for its forthcoming lineup of BBX-based handsets? According to the company, it's derived at least some of its inspiration from its very own BlackBerry PlayBook. Speaking to PC Mag, VP of Developer Relations and Ecosystem Development Alec Saunders confirmed that the manufacturer's next generation smartphones will boast the same 1024 x 600 display resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio that you'll find on the PlayBook, all squeezed into a smaller frame. He also reassured developers that apps designed for the tablet will be compatible with BBX handsets. "Look, if you build [an app] for the PlayBook, then it will run on BBX," Saunders explained. "We have maintained aspect ratios, BBX also has the ability to upload multiple dimension graphics... [and the standard resolutions] are the same as PlayBook." Oh, and as for those rumors that RIM's first BBX phone (Colt?) would lack BES support? Pure hogwash, according to Saunders, who said the phones will also feature a native e-mail client, and that users shouldn't expect BBX "to be behind the PlayBook."

RIM: BBX smartphones will have same resolution, aspect ratio as PlayBook, BES support, too originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SlashGear  |  sourcePC Mag  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/rim-bbx-smartphones-will-have-same-resolution-aspect-ratio-as/

Nathalie Donnerhacke Anna-Lena Baumgärtel Sabine Kinzler Frieda Falkner

Swivl Camera Stand Tracks Moving Targets

Swivl is a neat little camera stand which will follow you around the room. It consists of two parts: the motorized stand itself, and a remote marker. The stand “sees” the marker and two motors — tilt and spin — move to follow it. It works with any camera that has a tripod mount. Just hold [...]

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/11/swivl-camera-stand-tracks-moving-targets/

Ingeburg Liebermann Elsa Alexander Furtmann Siegrid Holstein Michael Vollmar

Tarzan Ball is a tricky hook-and-pull physics game

tarzanball
So, you're a ball. A Tarzan Ball, to be precise. You've earned the nickname thanks to your astonishing ability to shoot out a lengthy 'vine' (I hope it's a vine) at objects, and then pull yourself towards those objects.

That's a handy ability to have, especially since you've got no legs, no arms, and no other means of transportation. In Tarzan Ball, the rope is everything. But you don't just swing around the screen aimlessly - that wouldn't be much of a game now, would it?

Instead, your goal in life is to collect "targets". Each level has one of these "targets" hidden away somewhere on the screen, usually behind some kind of barrier. Once you navigate close enough to the target, you can shoot your rope at it and just reel it in. That's when you pass the level.

You can't die in this game, but it can still be very frustrating. It's actually one of the tougher games I've posted recently. Still, if you enjoy physics games, this one is quite nicely made.

[This is actually the sequel to IQ Ball, which we covered last year! -Ed]

Tarzan Ball is a tricky hook-and-pull physics game originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/tarzan-ball-is-a-tricky-hook-and-pull-physics-game/

Ingeburg Liebermann Elsa Alexander Furtmann Siegrid Holstein Michael Vollmar

Evernote Web gets a new interface, Facebook sharing, and more

evernote web
Evernote, the popular multi-platform 'digital memory' app, has done some serious re-tooling of its Web interface. In addition to a more polished UI that more closely mirrors the look of Evernote on the desktop, the update brings features like notebook stacks and snippet view to the Web.

Auto-saving is now enabled as well, and you can select multiple items by holding down the Cmd or Ctrl key on your Mac or Windows keyboard. If you've got items stored in your notebooks that you want to share with friends or co-workers, Evernote has improved that process, too. You can quickly post an item to Facebook, share it via email, or generate a Web sharing link to paste into an IM conversation or status update.

Head over to the Evernote Web login page to try out the new interface.

Evernote Web gets a new interface, Facebook sharing, and more originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/29/evernote-web-gets-a-new-interface-facebook-sharing-and-more/

Malin Hock Helmut Hölzer Maurice Giese Frederik Faulhaber

How to Get the Internet on Your Car Stereo

Unless you're driving a tricked-out late model BMW or Mini, you're unlikely to have Internet-based media streaming options built into your vehicle. However, there are ways to replicate that Internet media experience -- just without the integrated controls. The basic premise is to use your smartphone.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/73696.html

Franziska Spanier Erna Van den Hout Laura Pauli Janna Löhnig

Mobile Apps to Keep Your Mind on Your Money

Managing personal finances once involved lots of paper. Then computer programs came along that helped simplify the process. Now a multitude of mobile apps are available to help people attend to money matters on the go. "It's very convenient to have it in your pocket on your phone," said Garth Scrivner, senior investment counselor with StanCorp Investment Advisers.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/73637.html

Benjamin Schötz Johannes Liebl Arne Koller Fiona Brandenburg

Philips Beehive Concept Has Urban Farmers Abuzz [Homemod]

Urban beekeeping is reemerging as a popular pastime for city-dwellers but a stack of conventional hive boxes won't generally fit in a third-story apartment. Philips' new urban beehive concept, however, aims to bring a colony to every balcony in your town. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/SDWSVnafIZE/a-beehive-for-the-urban-farmer

Olga Kreibich Nathalie Donnerhacke Anna-Lena Baumgärtel Sabine Kinzler

Turkish Military Police Rescue Nine Girls Held Hostage in a Fake Big Brother House [Wtf]

We all have opinions about the people on Big Brother-style TV shows. But spare a thought for nine girls who were duped into taking part in a fake show — then held captive while naked images of them were sold online. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/7LG58Lmxz3E/turkish-military-police-rescue-nine-girls-held-hostage-in-a-fake-big-brother-house

Michael Vollmar Robin Jones Ingeburg Otte Moritz Beller