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Friday, August 30, 2013

Twitter debuts new Android beta tester program for interested bug catchers

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Twitter debuts new Android beta tester program for interested bug catchers

Given the apparent backlash over Twitter's decision to add blue lines to its conversation view, we can't help but wonder if things could be different had the company implemented an open beta test program before pushing it out to the masses. Whether or not that particular situation was the impetus, it looks like the company is following in the footsteps of Facebook and Snapchat and is launching an official Android beta -- known simply as the Twitter for Android Experiment -- for any interested souls. After agreeing to sign up for a Google Group, the beta actually replaces your current Twitter app, and you're alerted each time a new build is available. As any good beta program should, there are plenty of opportunities for you to offer feedback on bugs; we're not sure if you can report blue lines as a "bug," but it's still great to know that our voices can finally be heard before new features roll out to everyone.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Google

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Via: AndroidPolice

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Three now lets travelers use their UK cellphone plans in seven countries

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Three now lets travelers use their UK cellphone plans in seven countries

Three UK must hate international roaming charges as much as we do -- it just launched a Feel At Home initiative that ditches those fees in seven countries. Subscribers who visit Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy and Sweden can now use data, messaging and voice as if they were back in Britain. The perk doesn't require a specific plan, and customers can roam on any compatible network in a Free At Home country. There are a few catches, of course: calls to non-UK numbers still incur roaming fees, and tethering is strictly verboten. Still, Brits who just have to post vacation photos on Instagram should be happy.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

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Source: Three

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Distro Issue 105: The tale of the amazing multi-colored e-paper display

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Distro Issue 105: The tale of the amazing multi-colored e-paper display

Once upon a time, the possibility of a color e-reader seemed a reality just around the bend. As the sun set on the 2000s, though, prototypes and the potential for multi-hued e-paper devices seemed to disappear. In this issue of our weekly, Sean Buckley examines the events surrounding the once bright future of the tech and why we're still e-reading in black-and-white. As far as reviews go, we offer up our detailed analysis of the TiVo Roamio Pro, OLPC XO Tablet and Motorola Droid Ultra. Eyes-On peeks at Blue Microphone's latest, Weekly Stat examines the broadband build-up and Recommended Reading profiles Marissa Mayer. The weekend is finally here, and there's plenty to peruse, so go on cozy up with a fresh copy via the usual download spots.

Distro Issue 105 PDF

Distro in the iTunes App Store

Distro in the Google Play Store

Distro in the Windows Store

Distro APK (for sideloading)

Like Distro on Facebook

Follow Distro on Twitter

Filed under: Announcements, HD, Mobile

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Source: iTunes, Google Play, Windows Store

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Japan's Lo maglev train aces first test, zooms past countryside at 311 mph (video)

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Japan's Lo maglev train aces first test, zooms past countryside at 311 mph (video)

This maglev train's length of development sure can't a hold a candle to its speed -- it took its creators almost six years to finally give it a test run. The five Lo Series cars zipped along the 26.6-mile track in nine minutes, hitting 311 mph within the first three miles. The reporters on board the futuristic vehicle couldn't feel or hear any disturbance, except for the odd blown mind. Outside, however, watching members of the public felt a shockwave followed by a deafening roar as the duck-billed train zoomed past. Using results from this trial, the company will be assessing the platypus-like train's potential environmental impact and looking for ways to reduce its maintenance costs in the future. You won't be taking a ride on this levitating wonder during your next Japanese vacation, though -- -- CJCR's got a few more tests to run before its 2027 launch date.

Filed under: Misc

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Source: The Asahi Shimbun (1), (2)

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CODE mechanical keyboard delivers the click without the noise

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CODE mechanical keyboard delivers the click without the noise

If you spend a bulk of your waking hours typing away at the computer, you know the value of a solid dependable keyboard. That's especially true for software developers like Jeff Atwood, who tap away at keys for a living. Dissatisfied with the current state of keyboards, he decided to take matters into his own hands and contacted Weyman Kwong of WASD Keyboards in early 2012 to come up with his vision of the perfect one. More than a year later, and the CODE keyboard was born as the result of that collaboration. Atwood describes it as the "only simple, clean, beautiful backlit mechanical keyboard [he has] ever found."

Not only are the keys raised and tactile, they're equipped with Cherry MX Clear mechanical switches, which provide satisfying actuation feedback with none of that annoying clicking noise. There's also customizable LED backlighting, 6-key USB rollover, navigation keys that double as multimedia controls, a detachable micro USB cable and easily modifiable keys for those who like custom layouts. Weighing in at 2.42 pounds, the CODE promises to be a solid piece of kit, complete with rubber coated feet and a sturdy steel plate mount. Of course, all of that comes at a cost -- both the 104-key and 87-key model retails for a hefty $149.99 each. Still, for those who truly love the feel and functionality of a good keyboard, the CODE sounds like it's worth the premium.

Filed under: Peripherals

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Via: Coding Horror

Source: CODE keyboards

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Xbox One voice commands will only work fully in some launch countries, languages

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Xbox One voice commands will only work fully in some launch countries, languages

Earlier this month Microsoft trimmed the list of countries where its Xbox One will launch to 13, and now it's revealed the new Kinect voice commands will only support all of its features in some of them. Pointed out by a thread on NeoGAF, a disclaimer on Xbox.com listed only a few countries with support for voice commands at launch. Since then, MS Director of Product Planning Albert Penello has responded with more details, explaining that, at launch the Xbox One will support eight languages / dialects: English (US), English (GB), French, Spanish (MX), Spanish (ES), Italian, German and Portuguese.

That said, some voice features -- like the "Xbox On" command -- will not be available everywhere at the start, with only the US, UK, Canada, France, and Germany set to receive them out of the gate. As Penello explains it, users will select their language first, and then get a list of countries it's supported in. Confused? A more thorough explanation is coming to the Xbox website at some point, and Kinect's supported languages are expected to grow with updates after the system launches -- whenever that launch is.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft

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Source: NeoGAF

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Sony's first post-Chromecast Google TV device is a dongle, not a set-top box

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Sony's first post-Chromecast Google TV device is a dongle, not a set-top box

We first got a whiff of Sony's NSZ-GU1 earlier this month from an FCC filing, and now the folks at GTVHacker point out those documents have been updated with more info and pictures. The first new Google TV hardware seen since the $35 Chromecast dongle launched, this device appears to be a blend of the two. A key difference revealed from the pictures however, is an odd stepped design, with the MHL/HDMI port protruding from the bottom of the box. The brief user manual included in the filing may explain this however, as it can draw power via that MHL output and the USB connection to a BRAVIA TV. A tiny diagram in the truncated user manual shows it plugged into the side of a TV like the Chromecast or Roku Streaming Stick. If you're wondering about the PS4 -- yes, we looked, but there's no indication it's meant to work directly with the upcoming console.

Like previous Google TV devices, it brings HDMI passthrough to the table along with an IR blaster, remote diagrams (in a separate filing) look similar to the one included with the NSZ-GS7 and GS8. Inside is a low power Marvell DE3108 SoC, 8GB of flash memory and 1GB RAM, however the specs indicate it's limited to 720p video output. As GTVHacker put it, the entire thing is similar to the Chromecast but with Google TV features. What remains to be seen is when it arrives, how much it costs, and what software tweaks Google and Sony can cook up to make this generation of Android-powered smart TVs more appealing.%Gallery-slideshow76478%