Technology Android

[THEV1LL4N]

3 days in and I fucking love my G Watch.

Android Wear is one of those things that once you've got it, you can't remember how you lived without it.

Seriously, the ability to just instantly see your notifications and just get on with your day is amazing. Not having to pull out my phone when it buzzes and it turns out to be just a Facebook comment reply, or an Instagram like, or a Twitter retweet, or a Snapchat from a random mate..... ie things that aren't that important.... it's incredibly refreshing.

Before this, I would habitually check my phone every time a notification went off, in case it was something important. But it's actually not usually that important. Not having to do that now is seriously helping my ADD. Especially since I'm a serial procrastinator. Now, I just get on with what I'm doing.

Sounds good, like it helps to be more productive.

Do you still need that Moto G case, screen protector and stylus?

 

[ARon]

That's funny Casey. You have to get a smart watch to show how not important your phone is ha

 

[THEV1LL4N]

I still can't update my Nexus 4 from Android 4.4.2 to Android 4.4.3 because I keep getting an error message. Has anyone else experienced this?

I thought it might have been because I didn't have enough space, so I removed a lot of music and now have over 1GB space on the device but I still get the error message and it prevents me from updating the firmware.

 

[Pittsey]

My Nexus 4 updated fine to 4.4.3, before I got the G3.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

Okay, I

I still can't update my Nexus 4 from Android 4.4.2 to Android 4.4.3 because I keep getting an error message. Has anyone else experienced this?

I thought it might have been because I didn't have enough space, so I removed a lot of music and now have over 1GB space on the device but I still get the error message and it prevents me from updating the firmware.

Okay, I decided to use Nexus Root Toolkit to flash it manually. I went straight from Android 4.4.2 to Android 4.4.4, so I hope it doesn't mess up even though it was supposed to be a minor update.

 

[Casey]

I got an email from Google a week ago asking if I wanted to be part of a "usability study" to do with Android. Today one of the researchers called me via video Hangouts. It was awesome. I can't tell you what it was about though, I had to sign an iron-clad Non Disclosure Agreement.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

Any info on how I can get involved?

 

[THEV1LL4N]

Anyone seen the Xiaomi announcement today?

They announced the Mi4 smartphone and the Mi Band.

It costs 1,999 yuan ($322; £189) for the version with 16GB of storage and 2,499 yuan ($402; £235) for the 64GB edition.
The wristband is also keenly priced at 79 yuan ($13; £7.50) - less than a tenth of cost of Fitbit's rival Flex bracelet in China. In addition to unlocking the phone via Bluetooth, the water resistant Mi Band can track activity and sleep, and act as an alarm clock, but lacks a screen. Xiaomi says it lasts up to 30 days between charges.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

Just had a great experience on Helpouts – thought you'd like it too. Here's $25 towards your first Helpout: use code SANDEEP71G. Enjoy your Helpout and let me know how it goes!

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[THEV1LL4N]

Anyone seen the Xiaomi announcement today?

They announced the Mi4 smartphone and the Mi Band.

It costs 1,999 yuan ($322; £189) for the version with 16GB of storage and 2,499 yuan ($402; £235) for the 64GB edition.
The wristband is also keenly priced at 79 yuan ($13; £7.50) - less than a tenth of cost of Fitbit's rival Flex bracelet in China. In addition to unlocking the phone via Bluetooth, the water resistant Mi Band can track activity and sleep, and act as an alarm clock, but lacks a screen. Xiaomi says it lasts up to 30 days between charges.

If anyone finds out the release date for this, then please do let me know.

Thanks,

 

[Casey]

Xiaomi don't tend to release their products outside of Asia. That's probably gonna change now that former Google exec Hugo Barra is running their international expansion program. But maybe not until next year.

As far as the usability study, I dunno, I got an email a while back asking if I wanted to be part of the program, I don't know how you can go about requesting to be part of it.

I do still need those Moto accessories yeah. I sold mine, but my Aunt is getting one next week. So I'll get them for her.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

Xiaomi don't tend to release their products outside of Asia. That's probably gonna change now that former Google exec Hugo Barra is running their international expansion program. But maybe not until next year.

As far as the usability study, I dunno, I got an email a while back asking if I wanted to be part of the program, I don't know how you can go about requesting to be part of it.

I do still need those Moto accessories yeah. I sold mine, but my Aunt is getting one next week. So I'll get them for her.

They have plans to launch their product line worldwide and they recently launched the Mi3 in India, which sold out in 35 minutes. I am really impressed with what they have achieved so far and they have a lot of momentum right now. You can pick up the unlocked version of the Mi3 for a good price on eBay. I'm just not too sure about MIUI.

 

[Pittsey]

Bought my G3 from Amazon Germany.

Seems they are now doing a deal, where you get a free G watch with it now.

http://www.amazon.de/gp/feature.htm...=516437087&pf_rd_i=B00KKM2WT0&tag=jungninj-21

 

[ARon]

Anyone try to Android L developer preview yet?

 

[THEV1LL4N]

Anyone try to Android L developer preview yet?

Na, I've gotta have stable ROMs. Although I really want to try it I think I'll just wait.

 

[ARon]

Installed L on my phone. I'm still downloading everything from the play store so I haven't used too much of it but so far I like it a lot. Keyboard looks nice. Animations for the notification center looks good. I'll say some more later on, it's super smooth so far

 

[THEV1LL4N]

It's a developer preview at the moment through, right? So does that mean it's like a beta or an RC1?

 

[THEV1LL4N]

I'm really looking forward to the transition to ART and I hope that many of the junk apps are gotten rid of as a result, meaning that developers that make better quality apps keep up to date and code for the ART platform.

 

[ARon]

It's the developer preview but everything seems fine. If it does change I don't think it's to fix anything that's easily noticeable. I'm not lying when I say everything is better. I thought the phone app for KK sucked, having to hit the all contacts button and shit was annoying when it was at the top of the screen and buttons for recents and the dialer was at the bottom, plus the all contacts button didn't match shit, it's like they forgot about it and just stuck it somewhere. Everything is in a quick tab style menu at the top, way more user friendly and sleek looking now. I think the pull down menu is my favorite aesthetic change. It's just clean looking, and the animations are neat. Everything just looks better. This is my favorite Android release in a while.

 

[Pittsey]

The only reason I miss having a Nexus Device.