Jordan Kahn

• Samsung
• Apps and Updates
• LG
• Google Cast
• audio

Rdio adds support for Google Cast for audio, more connected speaker systems & smart TVs

Jordan Kahn Sep 8 2015 - 8:22 am PT

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Popular music streaming service Rdio is today announcing an expansion of its support for connected speaker systems and smart TVs, including Google’s new Google Cast for Audio platform introduced earlier this year. 

In addition to supporting speakers that integrate Google’s Cast for audio platform, the music service is now available on Harman/Kardon, Denon, and the DTS Play-Fi Whole-Home Wireless ecosystem featuring leading brands such as Definitive Technology, Phorus, Polk Audio and Wren. The company also noted that it’s now available on Samsung smart TVs and arriving soon on smart TVs from LG and Hisense.

Previously Rdio was only available on Sonos speakers and setup boxes like the Apple TV and Google Chromecast.

Rdio is available free with ads or as an ad-free service for $9.99/month unlimited or on certain devices for $3.99/month with a limited number of on demand songs per day.

• Apps & Updates
• Android
• Apps and Updates
• Google Drive
• update
• iOS

Google Drive for iOS update brings multiple file select, quick sharing, and more

Jordan Kahn Sep 3 2015 - 2:05 pm PT

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A new update to Google Drive for iOS brings a couple notable, highly-requested features to the app. Included in the update, users will now be able to select multiple files at once in order to perform an action like saving for offline, adding a star to important files, or rearranging and organizing. The new feature is something that has long been requested by users and makes managing and sharing multiple files at once much easier than in the past.

In addition, the update includes the ability to share, rename or view file details much quicker with new quick share buttons when tapping on a file.

And lastly, Google says the updated app will include the usual performance improvements.

The updated Google Drive app for iOS is available on the App Store now.

• Android
• Sony
• Xperia
• event
• IFA

Sony’s IFA press conference is about to kick off, here’s your live stream

Jordan Kahn Sep 2 2015 - 6:49 am PT

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Next up at the IFA trade show in Berlin is Sony’s press conference scheduled to kick off at 10am ET/ 3:00pm BST. And the good news is we’ll be able to watch the whole thing as it unfolds as Sony’s plans to stream the event live on its website.

What can we expect from Sony today? Judging by past leaks, some of the announcements we’d expect include the new Sony Xperia Z5 family including a Compact and Premium model alongside a refreshed design for the flagship lineup and camera improvements. Based on recent leaks, we’re expecting to see a 5.2-inch Xperia Z5, along with the larger Xperia Z5 Premium with a large 5.5-inch QHD or 4K display and the smaller Z5 Compact with a 720p, 4.6-inch display.

We’ll of course be following along and offering up coverage on the big announcements from the event. But you can check out the full live stream of the event for yourself through Sony’s website here.

• Apps & Updates
• Android
• Apps and Updates
• Google Play
• update
• camera

GoPro app for Android gets smart editing feature to create & share clips

Jordan Kahn Sep 1 2015 - 10:49 am PT

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The official GoPro app for Android gets an update today which brings a new smart editing feature to let users create and share clips instantly from within the app. Previously users resorted to third-party apps for similar functionality with GoPro camera hardware.

The new feature will let users instantly create edited versions of their videos that come in at 5, 15, or 30 seconds. You’ll be able to drag the timeline to select what 5, 15, or 30 second portion of your video you want to isolate. Once you’ve selected your clip, you’ll be able to instantly share to Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other social sharing options available in the app.

The updated app, version 2.9, also receives an “improved camera software update process” and a number of bug fixes and other improvements.

You can grab the updated app for Android on Google Play. 

• Apps & Updates
• Apps and Updates
• Google Plus

Google+ for iOS updated with ‘Collections’ feature

Jordan Kahn Aug 31 2015 - 12:11 pm PT

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Google+ Collections, a feature that lets like-minded Google+ users connect in forums organized by topic, today comes to iOS devices after first rolling out for Android and web users a few months back.

Users can create Collections for topics they’re interested in and follow Collections created by other users to keep track of posts related to their interests. Google shared a few examples of popular Collections including Homebrewing, Climbing Junkie Photos, Magical, Mystical Mountains and Marine Life. It also features select Collections on a webpage here for easy searching.

When you post a Collection, Google notes that you’ll be able to customize who sees it thanks to recent improvements to the feature on Android that also come to iOS today. It also recently added the ability to add taglines to Collections and search for them on mobile devices. 

The Collections feature is available now in the updated Google+ iOS app with version 4.8.5.

• Google Maps
• Patent
• self-driving
• directions
• Alerts

Google patent covers using vehicle sensors to detect road quality, improve Maps

Jordan Kahn Aug 25 2015 - 2:21 pm PT

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As first spotted by AutoBlog, Google was recently granted a patent covering a system capable of detecting road quality conditions, which in theory could allow it to deliver warnings of potholes and other road quality issues to its users.

The patent describes using a number of sensors in the vehicle, in addition to  potentially adding other sensors to a vehicle’s shocks and elsewhere, and transmitting the data through a mobile network. Google would in return use the data for Google Maps to improve driving directions and potentially warn users of dangerous road conditions. It’s also data that would undoubtedly come in handy for Google’s self-driving car project.

Google Maps already offers similar warnings for things like accidents, construction, road closures, and more via user submissions in the Waze mapping app it acquired along with a few other sources. But having data compiled directly from the vehicles would likely allow it to have more accurate and up to date data for much larger areas compared to user submitted data.

You can view the Google patent in full here.

• Apps & Updates
• Apps and Updates
• update
• App Store
• Alerts
• Snow

Winter is coming: Yahoo Weather app adds near-term rain and snow alerts

Jordan Kahn Aug 20 2015 - 11:57 am PT

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Yahoo is today updating its Yahoo Weather app for Android with near-term rain and snow alerts (not that we needed a reminder that summer is nearly over). With the updated app, users will receive alerts for rain and snow 15 minutes before an expected downpour.

In addition to the new weather alerts, Yahoo notes that the app is now more accurate with improvements made to the methods it uses to “determine and serve forecasts.” As an example, Yahoo says the app will now “even zoom in on microclimates.”

The updated Yahoo Weather app with rain and snow alerts, version 1.8, is available for Android on Google Play now.

What’s New in Version 1.8

Introducing new weather alerts around the world!

Yahoo Weather, our beautiful and intuitive weather app, will alert you 15 minutes before rain or snow is expected so you can grab your jacket, boots and umbrella!

• Android
• Wear OS
• SmartWatch
• Fossil
• Intel

Fossil & Intel show off upcoming round Android Wear smartwatch

Jordan Kahn Aug 18 2015 - 11:11 am PT

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Watchmaker Fossil is about to launch a new Android Wear-powered smartwatch in collaboration with Intel and today we get our first look at the device during Intel’s IDF developer conference in San Francisco (via Engadget).

The Android Wear smartwatch, which is scheduled to arrive later this year, comes alongside two other wearables from the companies including other wrist worn devices — a bracelet and a more traditional-looking, connected watch that aren’t powered by Android Wear.

It’s not exactly much to look at, as it appears to have a design a lot like the rest of the round Android Wear devices on the market. But apart from looking a lot like a Moto 360, we do get a sneak peek at some variations planned for the device including a selection of metal and leather bands.

No word on pricing or exact availability, but you can expect to hear more in time for the holidays later this year.

• Android
• Apps and Updates
• Wear OS
• apps
• Apple Watch

Adidas buys popular fitness app maker Runtastic for € 220 million

Jordan Kahn Aug 5 2015 - 11:07 am PT

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Runtastic, developers of several popular fitness apps, today announced it has been acquired by Adidas for € 220 million. The move, according to a press release from both companies, will help Adidas bolster its efforts in offering connected products and its vision of “the convergence of sport, digital and data in an always connected and always on-demand world.” Or in other words, Adidas now has a strong software component with a large user base to integrate with its digitally enabled sports products including balls, wrist devices, apparel, and shoes.

Adidas already offers several of its own mobile apps that cross over into Runtastic’s territory, such as the miCoach train & run app and the Adidas Go app that integrates with Spotify to offer music matched to a user’s running pace. Runtastic, however, has around 20 mobile apps related to fitness and health and claims around 140 million downloads and 70 million registered users. The company also offers a few hardware products, including a scale and fitness tracking devices, that compliment its fitness apps that integrate with other third-party hardware including Android Wear devices and other wearables. 

It’s unclear what Adidas has planned for the company and its apps, but Runtastic will be joining the Adidas teams and building new experiences as part of the brand going forward. What exactly that means for the Runtastic brand and integration with Adidas products remains to be seen.

• Apps & Updates
• Android
• Apps and Updates
• update
• app
• Uber

StubHub Android app adds Uber integration for requesting rides to events

Jordan Kahn Jul 29 2015 - 12:57 pm PT

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StubHub is rolling out an updated version of its Android app today that adds integration with Uber for requesting rides to events.

With the udpated app, users can now request a vehicle directly from within the app when purchasing event tickets or setup a reminder to do so for an upcoming event. Once you’ve booked a ride with Uber, StubHub automatically provides the location of the event venue to the driver:

After completing a ticket purchase on StubHub, fans will now be able to set a reminder to arrange transportation through Uber when the event is imminent. Users who purchase tickets within two hours of the event will be able to order an Uber directly from the order confirmation page.

The Uber integration is available for users in the updated Android StubHub app on Google Play alongside a few other fixes and improvements. The Uber feature, however, is available only for users in the UK, US, and Canada.