Friday 28 June 2013

Android 5.0 - Key Lime Pie

Reading the title you may have thought you were going to read some type of recipe, unfortunately you’re not. Instead, Key Lime Pie is a codename that actually refers to the new Android 5.0 software development which is underway right now.

Those clever tech-heads over at Google have continually produced new software for their smartphones and tablets year after year and it’s not long until their newest release is due. The Android 5.0 is next in line to impress us and although there has not been an official released date as of yet, we can’t help but be interested.

There are so many rumours circulating the internet, so we are going to put a list together of some of the expected features we can hope for.

Earlier this year, we found out that Google is working with the Linux 3.8 kernel, so it is likely that this kernel could make it into the Android 5.0.  For those that are not sure what this means, in simpler terms, it means that we would be getting a much snappier phone and improved multitasking.

Another feature we could look forward to is Google Babel.  Babel was used by Google to explain their cross-platform service and app, with the aim of collectively combining their various chat services.  These include the likes of Talk, Voice, Messenger, Hangout, Chat on Google+ and Chat for Google Drive too.  A fairly credible Android source announced that Google Babel will be supported in devices running the Android 2.3 software and above, and on the 15th May this is what happened.  Although we thought it may be debuted on the Key Lime Pie, it will more than likely be a feature.

Although pure speculation, there have been many Tech Geeks requesting new features to be included.  Some wishing for a brighter interface compared to the latest 4.0 version, whereas many have been urging a bigger and better performance profile.  For example, a gaming mode for maximum power delivery or a minimal power mode for when we read.

Other requests include a better social networking support system and better apps (i.e. Video Chat app).  One thing is for sure though, we still have to wait a little longer to find out what we will get with the new Android 5.0.

Friday 21 June 2013

Find funding for Apps

There are a lot of people with brilliant ideas, but they just don’t have enough money to fund them. This is the same with creating apps.

Hours and hours can be put into the development and the promotion of the idea, or app in this instance, with virtually no return on investment. This is why finding funding can be a great way to reduce the risk of any loses of time and money.

If you have launched an app before then you know exactly what happens from idea to final product, but for those people who only have an idea, where do you start? Funding!

Funding an app does not directly mean that you need every single penny to both develop and promote your app, but you may need to get some help financially to fund a part of it. By funding your app you can even get early feedback and gauge interest from people who have knowledge about apps. They may even be able to tell you about an app that already exists and is virtually your idea, so you don’t put all of your time into an app that already exists.

With this, the more people you know or have in your network, the more people you will be able to reach out to. There are a number of places, perfect for those people who have an idea, to find other people interested in funding their app. These platforms work in a similar way but all go about it in a different way. For example, KickStarter helps to fund creative ideas by simply setting a goal to reach and it is all or nothing.

A similar platform to KickStarter is Indiegogo. The only difference is you get to choose the way it is funded in the sense that there are two ways, flexible funding and fixed funding. Flexible funding means that you get to keep any funds you raise by a certain date, whereas fixed funding means it is all or nothing, similar to KickStarter.

There are other platforms too including AppBackr, AppStori (US Residents only) and AppsFunder. These also have their own differences but ultimately, they all help you to get your idea on its way to becoming a fully functional app; which is perfect for people who can’t afford to put the time and money into it themselves.

Friday 14 June 2013

Apple fight back with iOS 7

With competition continually improving, Apple knew it was time for a big change and that is exactly what you get with the new iOS 7.

With the likes of Android 4.2 providing a number of new features and the Samsung Galaxy S4 recently hitting the shelves, it was time that Apple gave smartphone users something to get excited about.  So, we give you the iOS 7!

Apple made the announcement just a few days ago, so what better time to talk about it than right now. And why not? We’re excited about it just as much as the next person.

So, what can we expect with this new iOS 7? Well, we can expect cleaner, more streamlined software compared to the previous iOS 6, all thanks to Jony Ive, the person responsible for Apple’s hardware designs. This much more modern operating system is going to be a hugely improved version and one that will definitely rival any other smartphone lying in its wake.

Apple has also told us that there will be a whole host of other new features for us to get excited about. One of these features includes the Control Center, which makes the things we need most often like turning the Wi-Fi on, or adjusting the screen’s brightness, even more convenient with a simple swipe.

Another keen focus from Apple is multitasking. This has always been a great way of switching from one app to another. Well now, Apple has made it even better! If you regularly check your favourite social app at a certain time, say midday for example, this new multitasking intelligence will already have your feed waiting for you at this time so you can quickly check what’s going on in the world. Pretty cool huh?

Even the camera has become more convenient. Life is full to the brim of special moments and Apple has made sure that you capture them instantly by also being only a swipe away. The newly installed filters also allow users to get the most out of each image too with a chance to edit any picture, anywhere.

All in all, Apple seem to have this new software completely nailed and although a lot has changed, we fully expect that it will feel like we have never known any other way of using our smartphones.

Friday 7 June 2013

Wikipedia is now 'Nearby'

Wikipedia has often been ‘the go-to website’ when you want to find out some information about a certain place, a celebrity or maybe even a film, but now they have débuted a new feature.

This new feature is called ‘Nearby’ and its main function is to recommend articles dependant on the user’s location. ‘Nearby’s’ main intention is to educate its user’s about their current surroundings.

For example, people visiting Vatican City will find articles about the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s fresco depicting The Last Judgment. This means that when you want to find articles related to your nearby location, you can simply find interesting things on your smartphone.

Not only will this new page from Wikipedia encourage people to find out about local stuff, but it also means that smartphone users can use their mobile device to take snaps for those articles that are missing an illustration. Wikipedia have said that they are looking out for active people to send in their photographs too.

In essence, it means that people will be inclined, and more likely to, take photographs of things that are local to them. If you take an image and see one of the nearby locative articles with an ‘Add an image to this article’ button, then all you have to do is upload your image and improve the information for other users. Although, it is worth mentioning that you can only do this if you are actually logged in.

Another thing that will be worth thinking about is location to location may vary in terms of the amount of articles available. By this we mean, London for example will have a lot more articles than say, the middle of the country. This, of course, is down to simple geography, the size of London compared to other cities and the fact London has a lot more going on in the city.

Although ‘Nearby’ is actually designed specifically for smartphone users, you can still access it from your computer. It is more likely to be used via a mobile device when people are out and about though, but it is still useful to know about when you are sat at home and interested in local articles.