CastAR shares its advances in augmented reality

The concept of CastAR leads to the introduction of virtual worlds, but does so in a different way as Oculus Rift or Google Glass. The CastAR project is being managed and developed by Jeri Ellsworth and Rick Johnson, former employees of Valve, and seek to bring to market one of the most complete augmented reality platforms. Its passage through Kickstarter was very successful, and while deliveries are a little late, this new video gives us an idea of ​​what to expect when software and hardware will match the circumstances.

We are not isolated in a completely virtual world as in the first case, nor is it as "simple" as augmented reality Google glasses. It all started when Jeri Ellsworth (the mind behind the C64 DTV) and Rick Johnson left Valve to start a personal project. Shortly thereafter, the company Gabe Newell began experimenting with virtual reality, but Ellsworth and Johnson plans were more focused on augmented reality. Thus was born CastAR, a pair of glasses with a special thing on top, in charge of issuing a stereoscopic image on a support surface. CastAR launched a Kickstarter campaign seeking at least $ 400,000 to move to the next phase, however, consumers decided to collaborate with more than one million.

Here glasses, not a helmet, which have implemented a couple of small projectors and technology made a "retro-reflective" in which they will project images screens. The result is a 3D scene in our eyes, while maintaining the ability to create augmented reality (still see the real world).

The video was released in celebration of the first shipments of experimental glasses, and although everything appears there is no way, some taxpayers indicated that father's experience on the desktop and girl playing with paper airplane are very close to the current state. Both glasses accessories are available in presale through the official site. CastAR price of each unit is $ 400, while one of the most interesting option is the adapter that turns the glasses into something more like a VR helmet for $ 85.

Splive TV and the Oscars 2015

Splive TV is a free application for Android that lets you enjoy TV shows and movies from your Android for free, a fantastic app for watching TV on your Android in the easiest possible way.

With a clear and simple name this application brings exactly what many came expecting long ago. Like all applications that play streaming content, much better with Wi-Fi connection. Therefore speed, for worrying consumption. And indeed, once connected to the wireless network, the playback speed use to be excellent. Only loading 1 to 2 seconds per channel, and seamless play.

We are talking about an application that offers a remarkable number of channels, all Spaniards, including all regional channels, but also the most famous international channels. Playing fast and easy to leave your phone in the hands of a child if necessary.

While most applications offer us a moderate amount of channels, Splive TV offers many more and not stay here. It also offers series, documentaries, and even full movies. All this in full streaming and always updating. You may wonder how much of this content it has. For it is not an exaggeration, but not bad. We have a dozen series offered online.

Also have a few Documentary channels. Speaking of movies it has a lot, from classics like Forest Gump, until relatively recent movies like Kick-ass. Also add content weekly in all sections. A real treat. And today the Oscars 2015.

And if here was not good enough, we have the best. The application is completely free and fully functional.

Splive TV and the Oscars 2015

Tomawatchi, your new virtual pet

In the world of Android not cease to continually surprise us with the most fun games. Now, there is a new version of an old good known game from our childhood. If you were one of those children playing with yout Tamagotchi, wait to see Tomawatchi, the new Tamagotchi simulation for Android.

Tomawatchi is a new way of seeing the world of Tamagotchi virtual pet that you had to feed and care every day and triumphed in the late nineties. In this case, we have a pet that depend on physical activity we do to be better or worse. This means that if we do not move our virtual pet will die.

As usual with all the Tamagotchi have also been modernized and have made the jump to mobile devices -as the official game of Bandai, Tamagotchi Angel. Today it's the turn to Tomawatchi, but this time is somewhat different. How does the game do physical activity? Using Google API Fit, which will be responsible to quantify our daily activities. Tomawatchi is really an excuse for us to move more, because if we take care of our pet we must move and exercise more or else it will die.

But to care for our little pet will not be enough to move, but also have to feed and bathe. Anyway, the most novel idea is that now depends on our physical activity, so if we do not exercise our pet will die unless we are aware of whether we are living a healthy life or not.

Tomawatchi is available on Google Play and installation is free. To install, requires Android 4.0.3 version or higher.

Tomawatchi, your new virtual pet

YouTube Kids, specializing in children's content

Youtube, the website where users can upload, share and play all kinds of videos is finishing the details for the imminent launch of YouTube Kids, an app fully directed to the smallest of the house.

A couple of weeks ago Google announced the acquisition of development studio applications LaunchPad Toys, creator of Toontastic and TeleStory. Then the Mountain View company already showed their intentions to gain a foothold among young audiences.

Considering the moment we are living, think on a daily life without technology is getting complicated. In fact, the most advanced schools are beginning to adapt their facilities and equipment to modern life, so it's not so strange to find classrooms with tablets for each child, whiteboards, etc.

And how could it be otherwise, big companies are working daily to adapt this technology to younger. Google, in this case, launched a new YouTube app fully adapted in both design and content, to children.

YouTube Kids will be the name of this new version of the repository's largest internet videos, and the day chosen is Monday February 23, all for free, being only available for Android, at least for now. Undoubtedly, every day more children using YouTube, and although there are plenty of videos totally recommended for them, there are also many others that should not be seen as determined ages.

The new application will offer a redesigned interface, being much more intuitive and easy to use, and eliminating elements that are not strictly necessary for enjoyment, as comments. Also, will include some facilities related to parental control, including, for example, a timer that will close YouTube Kids at the right moment or omitting adult content.

YouTube Kids, specializing in children's content

Stormfall: Rise of Balur, a dark world of fantasy and legends

For many, Stormfall is already well known for quite some time, since it is available on Facebook. After years of waiting, Stormfall: Rise of Balur has finally arrived in a version for Android aimed at mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Stormfall: Rise of Balur is a Massively Multiplayer Online game in which you play a warrior who has been chosen to lead the battle against darkness and restore peace to the land of Darkshine. The game, which is pure strategy, will keep you playing a handful of hours.

During the game, you must take control of your people, in which it begins by constructing buildings and investigate new soldiers and arts with which you will beat in combat. As you go up in level, climb on the position and you will unlock new options. Unlike other games, in Stormfall: Rise of Balur you will be in constant contact with other players in the world, and you can forge alliances to fight and conquer new places.

The game has a mechanical quite similar to Game of War: Fire Age, although unlike it, especially in the graphics, because the game has been adapted from Facebook to mobile and graphics are in high definition, so the gameplay is pretty good. In addition, it is available in several languages, including Spanish and English (dubbed, not only written), and every day you play you can get premium items for accelerating the construction or recruitment of troops.

Among the soldiers who can be recruited to build your army there are barbarians, paladins, umbrian, dragons and magicians, but there are many more types of troops which form your own fleet, you can send them to fight other players in PvP server.

Highly addictive, Stormfall: Rise of Balur is a mixture of the original game created for Facebook and Game of War, but improving the graphics and gameplay aspects. It is a good adaptation of the game for Android, although clear differences are serious and would be interesting to connect accounts both smarphone/tablet and PC. If you are looking for a fun game to play, do not hesitate to keep an eye on Stormfall: Rise of Balur, available on the App Store.

Stormfall: Rise of Balur, a dark world of fantasy and legends

Facebook is working on virtual reality applications

Facebook acquired Oculus Rift (virtual reality helmet developed by Oculus VR) almost a year ago. Now, after some serious doubts, at a conference in CodeMedia, Product Manager of Facebook, Chris Cox, has hinted about plans after the operation: Facebook works in virtual reality applications.

The social network created by Mark Zuckerberg knows that needs to be renewed so that users do not lose interest in social media and virtual reality is one of the ways in which they are working. On how to apply the social network, Cox has not given details, but points out that users can create virtual reality content, not just consume it.

They are taking perhaps more than we expected, which may indicate that the acquiring company itself was not expected, and many questions remain unanswered, such as how exactly will these apps work, although that has advanced some ideas for making the concept of virtual reality. However, it is sure that we will not see these ideas come true in the near future. 

This line of work for Facebook opens numerous possibilities. Leveraging technology acquired with Oculus, could launch its own Android application market focused on virtual reality, that worked with native Facebook to create an ecosystem. It would be an interesting way of business for social network that looks like its current market begins to saturate.

The approach is certainly interesting, but we will have to see if it really comes true. Not exactly the same, but the failure of Google Glassis an event to remember and wearables are not work at all as was expected, showing that there is such a large market for all products such as smartphones. 

Facebook is working on virtual reality applications

Limelight, your PC games in Android

A new application brings the possibility of playing streaming in your Android smartphones and tablets your PC games, all without paying an exorbitant price to do so. During 2014, NVIDIA introduced its range of Shield devices. These devices, in addition to the enormous power of Tegra K1, included an interesting technology that NVIDIA dubbed as gamestreaming. 

Androids devices are very weak in power really good PC, that's why Limelight allows you to continue your  PC games in Shield and other Android devices. so with gamestreaming permitted you can play them while your PC is the one that does all the work.

But as any owned technology, everything is not as nice. To use this new form of game we needed a good PC and a Shield device. And this is where Limelight, an open source client that let us enjoy gamestreaming technology on any Android (with a minimum of power).

Although Limelight works with a touchscreen, it is better for gaming experience for many current games to use a gamepad. Limelight supports a few Bluetooth drivers, including Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Moreover, even supports NVIDIA Shield as a controller in case someone who would pique the curiosity in this matter.

The configuration of the app is simple. In terms of resolution and framerate, Limelight gives the option of streaming both 720 and 1080 points and a speed of 30 or 60 frames per second.

Limelight, your PC games in Android

Xposed Framework for Android 5.0 Lollipop

Xposed Framework is already available for Android 5.0 Lollipop thanks to developer rovo89.

Now you can enjoy all the features of Xposed Framework on the last Android version. The installation is slightly more difficult than it was on Android 4.4 KitKat, but all the steps are clearly described on the XDA-developers' forums.

Xposed Frameword offers you more customization options than you could get with any custom ROM. Xposed works with modules, each one created to modify the UI of your device. You can get check the list of modules and download the ones you want from the Xposed repo site.

With Xposed Framework, it's easy to configure the stock ROM as you can install the modules that best suit your needs. It requires no flashing of any ROMs, but brings tons of customization and tweaks that you can install like apps on rooted devices.

Keep in mind that you need a rooted phone to install the Xposed APK. If you want to give it a try but don't know how to root you phone, you just need to follow this guide, choosing the correct manufacturer and model for your device.

This is an alpha version, so you can expect to have some bugs. If you are not confident enough to try it, wait a little until the stable version is released. However, if you are already familiar with Xposed Framework and want to give it a try, you just need to be on a Lollipop ROM and flash the zip file that you can download from XDA.

Currently, there is only available for ARMv7, but 64-bits version will come soon. Most of the modules available for KitKat should work fine on Lollipop.

If you like to customize you smartphone or tablet, you are surely going to enjoy Xposed Framework.

Source: AndroidPolice.

New HTC Video Player Available in the Play Store

With a simple name as Video Player, HTC has released a new application released in the Play Store. A video player already available in HTC devices and with which it is officially compatible. It might not work on other devices, but you have to try it by yourself because compatibility may vary by device and version of Android.

Given the importance of the multimedia section in the world of smartphones, it is not surprising that for Android we find a handful of options to download. In what refers to video players, there were already many of them available, but now a new one comes to take its place.

HTC has released its video player on Google Play Store for anyone who wants to download it for free. The HTC video player was already known to many who were equipped with a terminal of the company. Now this HTC video player can be used by virtually anyone downloading the app even without a company device -but as we said, there may be occasional or usual incompatibilities with some features or some smartphones-. Also, it seems to work on Android 5.0 Lollipop, but in other previous versions is not so clear so far.

In addition to the essential, which is the fact that it is compatible with many popular video formats, HTC video player has a bunch of features that make it a good choice. Some of them are supporting the use of subtitles, which captures images from a video or on some terminals to adjust the speed of the video in slow motion.

With this new step, HTC keeps on its way to becoming a leader in the smartphone market in all terms, waiting to see the launch of a best design embodied in a smartphone. Even though it appears to be incompatible with all devices that are not HTC with which we tested.

New HTC Video Player Available in the Play Store

Disa: unified messaging of WhatsApp and SMS

Disa wants to be the center of mobile communications services for different Android devices. Years ago, we had to resort to multiprotocol messaging client for desktop systems to participate in multiple messaging services when we had user account.

Now it is likely that our messaging communications have led the mobile devices, and to the many services that can participate, and to avoid having to use multiple applications and go crazy to choose one in which we want to respond to a new message received or send one of ours, Disa is a current solution for Android devices and just launched its public Beta after passing through its Alpha phase and its private Beta.

Disa has integrated SMS messaging through official support and plugin to Facebook, but also allows the use of third-party plugins to expand the possibilities. Researching it can find the availability or development of third party plugins for services as WhatsApp, Telegram, GroupMe, Hike, Line, etc. Disa also is developing other official plugins for other messaging services to be launched in the coming months.

Best of all is that all discussions of the various services will be under the same application, which will impact positively on the battery life of mobile devices having fewer open applications, among other benefits. Use of Material Design or support for other formats beyond text messages are other qualities of this promising mobile application.

Among other features, we will see the configuration options that allows us to modify some parameters, such as Back Press, notifications, Fast Service Switch, the latter offers the possibility to change the service using a unified chat and text messaging WhatsApp.

Besides all this, we can activate emojis or stickers, and more. The services section (WhatsApp or SMS) allows us to modify colors of each for easy identification, and best of all, we can use different colors for incoming and outgoing messages, making our conversation fun and friendly.

Before unified messaging applications must check the APN Operator for the SMS service, and verification of WhatsApp, but not have to worry as Disa automatically detects the APN, so it saves us time and work, but we modify it manually.

To verify the number of WhatsApp we are using we must indicate the country and our number, then enter the verification method call or SMS. After completing this process, we can chat in comfort with our friends in WhatsApp or SMS messages.

Disa: unified messaging of WhatsApp and SMS

Amazon gives more than 100€ in apps and games to celebrate Valentine

Usually Amazon offers its offer around midnight, but this time they decided to activate it now. The list of free applications is extensive and full of genuine successes, this time is no exception. For several days, until midnight on February 14 we get thirty seven different applications and games, usually for a fee, for 0€. What better gift for Valentine a lot of free apps.
 

To beneficiaries of these applications you have to have downloaded the application from the Amazon AppStore, once installed in your Android you will have to download from  the app itself where as you will all ordered.

In total over 100€ in apps, a discount that Amazon often offers in exclusive and used to compete against Google Play. Here is the full list of free apps and games.

80 Days

A Scientific and Financial RPN Calculator

Back to Bed

Battery HD Pro

Buy Me a Pie! Grocery List Pro

Caveman Feast

Cut the Rope: Experiments

Delicious – Emily’s True Love

DoggCatcher Podcast Player

Doodle Jump

Food Substitutes

Glow Hockey 2 Pro

Guitar Pro

Hidden Object – Be My Valentine

Listure

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5 – Audio Edition

MeteoEarth

Monsters Ate My Condo

mSecure

OfficeSuite Professional 7

Pocket Yoga

Relax Melodies Premium

Runtastic PRO

Shazam Encore

Simple Camera para Kindle Fire

Ski Safari: Adventure Time

Sleep as Android

Smart RAM Booster Pro

SmoothSync for Cloud Calendar

Sorcery! 2

Stellarium Mobile Sky Map

Sworkit Pro

Travel Interpreter

Preguntados (sin publicidad)

Tunable

Amazon gives more than 100€  in apps and games to celebrate Valentine

Limbo is now available in Google Play

If you've heard of Limbo, you were probably looking for it already in Play Store. The game is one of the simplest and most popular among the platforms, and finally comes to Android. Before being in the Play Store, Limbo was already available on iOS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and even Windows. The game may seem simple, but just take a look at YouTube tutorial videos to realize that its popularity is not undeserved.

Limbo is a dark and intriguing game with a classic platforms engine in two dimensions, in which you play a guy who is looking for his sister to escape from Limbo. It is fully developed in two dimensions, and it works by trial and error technique. Indeed, we are continually dying until we find the solution to every problem. Original, entertaining and visually very accomplished.

The game itself has received more than 100 awards, including "Best Downloadable" from Gameinformer, the "Best Puzzle Game" from Gamespot, Kotaku's "The Best Indie Game", Gamereactor's "Digital Game of the Year", Spike TV's "Best Independent Game", X-Play's "Best Downloadable Game" or the IGN's "Best Horror Game".

Although the price is well above what the average consumer spends on the App Store (‎4,99 $ - 4,93 €), all the reviews say Limbo for Android worth every penny. You had better have nerves of steel because (within which allow simple graphics and story) is quite disturbing and creepy.

In fact, some people considered a bit gore, since even the monsters and deaths are quite rugged and bloody, only see in black silhouettes though. So you know you have killed, you know it's been horrible, but you get to see it. Furthermore, it is automatically saved and comeback to appear few seconds before the time of your death.

Limbo is now available in Google Play

Blek, minimalist thinking game

Blek is a minimalist game with simple look that will make you think carefully about each level you want to overcome.

We all like to play with our Android device. Whether games with better graphics performance or minimalist and easy to use to hang around a bit. Blek, the the award-winning game, belongs to the second group, a game that even if very simple graphics and methodology of game is easy, pass each level can be a real headache.

In this game we have to dodge bullets, which will be of different sizes, and get all the colored dots to pass each level. Now comes the question, how do we move to go getting every ball ?, gesturing and repeat loop. This will advance the stage and shall be collecting every ball. Creating a gesture to repeat and go through the colored dots never was so funny.

We are aware that explain how this game is hard work but that the developer leaves us a video where we can see the game running and clear all doubts.

We find 60 different levels, which are endless ways to complete. It depends on our imagination and ingenuity. Once the gameplay is lame becomes easier to go to develop the necessary gestures so that when repeated, get all the colored balls.

Blek, minimalist thinking game 

Jay-Z takes market for streaming with the purchase of Wimp, competition of Spotify

The offer was presented a few days ago and accepted by the Swedish firm, but still lack the approval of the parties involved on the side of the rapper, a subsidiary of S. Carter Entreprises.

The last purchase of billionaire Jay-Z, who currently ranks third in the Forbes list of world's richest rappers, has been buying music streaming platform Wimp, Spotify's chief rival in Scandinavian countries.

As reported on Friday in the Business Insider, this strategic movement that seeks to shake the company involved a payment of $56.2 million from the husband of Beyoncé, also owns Project Panther Bidco. Wimp, part of the Swedish group Aspiro has over half a million subscribers in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Poland, data that make it one of the most popular online music platforms  in Scandinavia with Spotify. The latter, however, is present in 58 countries worldwide.

According to a spokesman Jay-Z agent the aspiration of the investment is to expand and improve their technology and services, according to Project Panther Bidco is changing the way people consume music in Europe and in America. "Panther believes that the recent migration to streaming offers great potential for increased consumption of entertainment and an opportunity for artists to further promote their music."

It's a move that comes at a time when the Swedish Spotify is also looking to raise capital to 500 million dollars. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company has hired Goldman Sachs to help in that process.

If the operation comes to fruition, as well all point sources, Jay-Z would expand their business empire, which includes fields such as clothing or sports, in addition to its investments in entertainment.

Alibaba will invest $590 million in Meizu, Xiaomi's main rival

The Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba announced today that it will invest 590 million dollars (520 million euros) in the Chinese electronics and mobile phone manufacturer Meizu.

Through a statement, the company based in Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province) explained that this is a "minority interest" in signing the Cantonese city of Zhuhai (border with Macao), the main rival of the Chinese manufacturer mobile Xiaomi.

From this investment, Alibaba has agreed with Meizu mutual cooperation "in both strategy and business, to achieve deeper integration in Meizu hardware with an Alibabaoperating system for mobile ," the statement said.

For that reason, Alibaba will offer Meizu "support and resources" technology, so that the devices are more suited to their e-commerce systems for mobile, one of the weaknesses of Alibaba competitive against its domestic rival JD.com, whose portal is best adapted to this technology increasingly used.

Meanwhile, Alibaba group virtual markets themselves will become new distribution channels for Meizu devices, which also makes music and video players.

"Investment in Meizu represents a significant expansion of the ecosystem of Alibaba Group, and an important step in our overall mobile strategy, as we try to offer users a wider range of offers and experiences for mobile range" praised Wang Jian, technology chief officer of Alibaba Group.

In 2014 China already added more than 1,000 million mobile phone users, reminded the Chinese group, about 40 percent of them smartphone users, ie, with internet, which is establishing itself as the main form of expansion e-commerce in rural areas.

Alibaba will invest $590 million in Meizu, Xiaomi's main rival