GadX Gadget & Technology News

Facebook for Android Update

2012-12-14T06:03:00.000-06:00

The new Facebook update is out and it is a great overhaul to its predecessor.

You tell Facebook took the time and added many features that make you want to use their app. The two biggest updates come to speed and pictures.

Speed has always been an issue with the Facebook application on Android. With the new update it is noticeably quicker. If you are having a little speed issue it could only be attributed to a slow connection.

The update to the pictures is great. I had no issue uploading new pictures and the layout to do so is pretty simple. Viewing pictures is and adding likes is also simple. Simply click on a photo and it will pop-up into full screen. From there you will see a menu at the bottom to add a like or a comment.

One of the biggest updates of all is photo syncing. You can set up the Facebook app auto sync photos. It will sync it to a private folder where you can later select which to post. If you use Google + you are probably familiar with this functions. It is a pretty awesome way of saving pictures as you move on to a new phone.

As I said above this update is a great overhaul. One thing to keep in mind though it does use quite a bit of RAM. I noticed it uses 50 to 70 mgbs while running. In idle mode I saw about 20 to 30 mgbs. If you have a slower device this could make it run quite a bit slower. Also with it work in the background expect less battery life out of your device.

Overall you should be pretty happy with the update. If you want to try it out there is a link below.

Google Play Facebook Link

Google Maps on iPhone

2012-12-13T04:55:00.000-06:00

After Apple decided to majorly fail and take out Google Maps in-favor of their in-house map program. Guess what?

Apple has re-released Google Maps which now features Turn-by-Turn navigation. I tested it out this morning and it seems to work very well.

I will be honest I love my Google Nexus however if they start releasing a lot of full feature Google programs on iPhone I just might start using my iPhone a little more.

Requirements:
Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 5.1 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Below is a link to iTunes for you to try it out yourself.
iTunes Google Maps Link

NodeBeat for putting together some tunes

2012-04-16T08:57:00.001-05:00

If you like putting together some tunes you might want to try Nodebeat. Nodebeat is a simple tool that lets you create your own beats in a simple creative way. It is available on Android and in IOS.

How it works is that you will have blank screen. On the left side you will have the notes that are in forms of circles such as the image shown. The main circle in the middle shoots out the beat. When it hits the other circle it produces a sound.

Each one of the colored circles represents a different type of sound. As you drag the circles further away from the main circle it will take longer for the beat to make a sound. So all of that goes into timing.

Overall this is a pretty fun app for the people who can make those sounds in their minds come alive. For everyone else well it might be fun however you might get the urge to throw you phone out the window.

You can pick up this app for free on the Amazon Market today 4/16/2012 for free. It is generally listed for 1.98 on Google Play and other services. Below are some links if you are interested in checking NodeBeat out.

NodeBeat Official Site

NodeBeat on iTunes

NodeBeat on Amazon free on 4/16/2012

NodeBeat on Google Play

I am not a Sith

2012-04-14T04:00:00.000-05:00

Google Plus New Look

2012-04-13T06:47:00.002-05:00

Google Plus has had a major overhaul to the look and feel. When companies redesign something as much as they have on Google Plus, they always run the risk of loosing individuals who simply do not like the changes. There were quite a few people who felt this way about Facebook and their new Timeline profile page.

In the Google Plus case, the change is very dramatic. If you have had a Google Plus account for a while and use it, the changes will effect you more as you may have already been in a routine. For the people who have not used it, or not logged in awhile, you should have not problem getting used to it quickly.

There are eight icons on the left for each of the categories provided by Google Plus. The navigation is very easy to use. Also look for tabs on top of each category to sort your Circles.

Nearly all of the categories are the same as in the past however there is one new one. The new category is called Explorer. With Explorer you will see a feature this is pretty much like twitter. There are hash marks for popular items and it updates some of the most popular items being talked about on Google Plus.

Google has done a great job of pulling some of the best features of Facebook and Twitter into their own product. It is so close in some aspects that they might run into trouble in the future.

Well, for now you should really try it out. It is a great social website that, at this point, doesn't have ads. If you are starting to have trouble using Facebook because of all of the added new features, try Google Plus. This is similar to what happened with Myspace, they got so complicated that users switched to something they could use more easily.

If you want to learn more about the features of Google Plus's new look, follow the link below. If you have any comments or updates please post below.

http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/

Left and Right

2012-04-12T06:47:00.000-05:00

Facebook Instagram

2012-04-11T10:14:00.000-05:00

As you may have all seen, Facebook is buying Instagram for 1 billion dollars. Yup that is correct 1 Billion dollars. Instagram is a great photo tool, however is it worth 1 billion dollars? It will be interesting to see how it works out.

Facebook does have some limitations and photos is one of these limitations. If you have read some of our previous posts on Google Plus, you will have seen how much we have stressed the unique feature of instant syncing your photos with your account.

This might be Facebook's way of doing this with a tool that is already widely used. It will be interesting to see how they will work all of this out with each having their own apps. Stay posted for new updates.

If you have any comments or questions on the acquisition please post below.

Conserve Energy!

2012-04-09T04:10:00.003-05:00

Lady Gaga Little Monsters Website

2012-04-08T05:39:00.000-05:00

If you did not know, Lady Gaga and team released a website called Little Monsters. It is very close to being a clone of Pinterest. However unlike Pinterest you will not find a whole lot of pins that do not relate to Lady Gaga.

If you are a Lady Gaga fan, you might be able to find everything you would ever need to know about her. Pictures, Anti-Bullying slogans, fashion, and fans. Very dedicated fans! So if you are looking for some sense of belonging, this might be the site for you.

In all honesty, it really seems creepy that so many people are actually on the site. There seems to be so much more to do in the world than get hooked on one individual person.

So many questions about this website, like could this actually be the fan-page of the future? Are people on this site crazy? How long could a site like this be interesting? The list goes on and on.

If you are fan or just curious to see what the hell Little Monsters is about, follow the link below. You will have to sign up and wait for an account like Pinterest.
If you have any comment or insight to Little Monsters please post below.

Little Monsters Website

True Story

2012-04-08T05:08:00.002-05:00

Google Project Glass

2012-04-07T06:47:00.000-05:00

Google Project Glass has introduced a pair of Smart Glasses that are pretty much a wearable cell phone. Trying to picture a wearable computer has been difficult given the limitations of technology. People have tried in the past, only to come up with glasses you had to strap in with a computer. They looked more like a rigged bomb than anything else. With Project Glass theses glasses seem to pull it off.

Something that has always killed wearable glasses is battery life. With the changes in battery technology, and Google keeping these glasses simple, they might be able to pull off a device that is actually practical.

In the video posted below, you will notice that the glasses do no feature a full fledged operating system like you would find on a phone or a computer.
It is running some type of Google Operating system that is integrated with Google Plus. It has very simple icons and small pop-ups that are displayed as you ask it to do a certain task.

The text messaging, video chat, maps, and social integration all look great. There is no way to picture making a wearable computer any easier than they have at this point in time. Keeping it simple the way they have makes it not use as much battery life, and it does not take up the whole screen, so you can actually see what the hell you are doing.

The only problem that remains is trying to find a way to not look like Geordi La Forge. As everyone gets more socially integrated into some kind of online network, it easy to see the disconnect of an actual conversation in everyday life. You can already see it now when you go anywhere. People seem to pay attention to their phones more than what is actually going around them.

With these glasses it might be the same, however it could go either way. You will either see more of what is going on, or you will be sitting there looking like a zombie as you stare off into your online space. So don't worry girls because some of those creepers might just be starring off at something else.

If you have any comments or questions please post them below. Also see Project Glass Google Plus page below.

Project Glass Google Plus

Adobe WanKenobi

2012-04-07T05:48:00.003-05:00

HTC Evo 4g LTE

2012-04-05T06:33:00.003-05:00

The HTC Evo 4G is going to be the One X on Sprint. It has a very nice looking design and will it will have a 4.7 inch screen. HTC is doing a great job of keeping a line of devices available on other carriers. There are some differences, but over all they are the same.

With the HTC Evo 4G LTE, it's pretty much like comparing a Ford Fusion to a Lincoln MKZ. The Evo being the Lincoln with some better features. From the front it looks the same as One X, however on the back you get a totally different looking phone.

Look at the image below and you will see the Evo has a rear kickstand and a button set up just for pictures. Now the back end does look a little different, it kind of makes you think of the days of the HTC Droid Incredible. Everyone was scratching their heads but thought it was kind of cool at the same time.

What makes the rear of the camera stick out is the bottom part being a flat black color and the top being glossy. You add the Red Kickstand and you get a phone that really stands out while you hold it to you head. People are either going to love or hate this.

Overall the HTC Evo 4g LTE should be a kick ass phone. Pre-orders will be available in May, so if you are on Sprint and are looking to buy a phone, wait a few months to see if the Evo is the phone for you. Below are some specs on the HTC Evo. If you are looking for some more details, please read our review on the One X as they are basically the same phone.

Specifications include:

1.5 GHz dual-core processor
4.7 inch HD Super LCD2 display with Gorilla Glass
Sprint LTE with HD voice support
Android ICS with HTC Sense 4
8 megapixel rear camera iwth ImageSense
1.3 megapixel front facing camera
2000 mAh battery
Beats Audo support

If you have any additional information please leave your comments below.

The Human Brain

2012-04-05T05:47:00.001-05:00

Amazon Prime Video

2012-04-04T06:51:00.000-05:00

Amazon Prime Video in now available on PlayStation 3. If you are unfamiliar with Amazon Prime it was originally set up for user who purchased a lot of products on Amazon. The perks of buying an Amazon Prime membership were free two-day shipping and $3.99 one-day shipping. You were also able to get great deals on selected items. So if you bought a lot of items on Amazon you could really end up saving a lot money on shipping as well as take advantage of the special deals.

Later they introduced Amazon Prime Video. At first the free online content was pretty weak, however since its introduction they have added some great quality content for free. They are getting pretty comparable to Netflix, and at some point Amazon might take over as the number one streaming service.

The reason it might take over are two-fold. For one, you get free content as an Amazon Prime member. Second, if you are looking for a movie or a show, and are not able to stream it for free, you are able to purchase videos individually to stream. The rates for movies or shows are priced very well, and as Prime member you get a discount on many titles.

Combining those two services makes it really convenient for users who just want to use one service. When you start using Amazon Prime, you will notice its a little more difficult to use other services.

At 79.00 a year the Amazon Prime membership will really pay for itself if you buy a lot of items. Even at that price you are getting a great deal of free video provided by Amazon. As their content grows, it will be hard to justify having Netflix, Hulu, and Vudu accounts. It will also be hard to get away from them as they are introduced to more an more devices.

Their new PlayStation 3 application is very well laid out and great to use. Try out Amazon Prime for yourself free for 30 days. If you try Amazon Prime, remember the 30 day window and cancel if you do not like it. With Amazon Prime you do not get charged by the month. You get charged by the year so that whole $79.00 will be taken out of you account soon as that 30 day window is up.

Something to caution you on is that not all items get free shipping as it may seem. Any item that is eligible should say Prime Eligible. This could be frustrating if you buy a lot of items and still have to pay for shipping.

If you want some more information check out their official website below.
Amazon Prime Official Site

K

2012-04-04T06:01:00.000-05:00

Google Plus

2012-04-03T21:49:00.003-05:00

Google Plus seems to be a site that not a lot of people are using. Although Google is boasting they now have over 100 million users, it still seems very difficult to find many friends using it. This might seem bad, however it might make it one of the best times to start using Google Plus.

If you have a business, using a Google Plus pages is a great way to promote your company giving you a competitive edge while other slowly trickle in. Google Plus does seem like its is going to be around for quite some time, unlike Google Buzz or Google Wave.

For casual users it is also a great time to check out Google Plus. It is very clean and simple to use. Much like Facebook was before all of these social integration programs we now see everywhere.

One of the best features of Google Plus is the instant photo syncing that is available. Every time you take a picture with your phone it will get uploaded to you account. It gets put in a non-public folder until you decide what to do with it. The photo editing program on Google Plus is also stellar.

So if you have not used Google Plus or you are just curious to see what it is about, sign up for an account. Remember to add us, as well. Follow our link below.

GadX on Google Plus

Google Plus Official Page

Copy and Paste

2012-04-03T04:00:00.000-05:00

Samsung Flexible Phone

2012-04-02T06:25:00.003-05:00

According to news outlets, Samsung is going to release flexible phones sometime this year. If you are unfamiliar with flexible phones, they will be able to twist much as the ones seen in this photo. Samsung has already released phones with curved glass, adding flexible glass is another way of showing that they are ahead of the game.

In all practicality however, why would you need a phone that flexes. It might be pretty cool to show off for a while, and it might just be a little more comfortable in your pocket. However, after that it will just be a phone that is floppy.

These screens however might be really good in other applications for various industries. Hospitals for instance, always being ahead of the technology game, might pick these up rather fast. There could also be good uses for flexible screens in the automotive industry. Just imagine having some of the screens in your dashboard or in use on your control panel. Flexible screens could really make your car pop!

So flexible phones might be a great way to introduce these products to the masses. In the next 10 years watch these screens become pretty common-place. With such a wide variety of uses for flex screens other than phones, it will be hard not to buy some product that will have these screens incorporated.

Samsung seems to be doing a great job of staying on top as one of best screen manufactures in the world. With these flex screens, you will see them have a competitive edge over others. After all it is who comes out with them first that people remember.

Watch the video below of these cool looking flex screens.

Chewbacca Dog

2012-04-02T05:57:00.003-05:00

Get more tech news and images like this at http://www.g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/blog/post/712051/chewbacca-dog/

5 Must Try Apps 4/1/12

2012-04-01T08:37:00.001-05:00

Rovio continues to build upon their franchise with Angry Birds Space. It is hard to believe that they can still come up with new ideas on how to sling birds across your screen. With Angry Birds Space they came up with a unique way that works really well.

Angry Birds Space Review
Angry Birds Google Play
Angry Birds Space App Store

Draw Something is a game sort of like Words with Friends. However in this case you will draw an object and the person you are challenging will have to try and figure out what the hell you drew. This game can be a lot of fun if you find a good opponent.

Draw Something Google Play
Draw Something App Store

If you are looking to loose a little weight before summer you might want to try out Calorie Counter from My Fitness Pal. It is a great app keep track of all you food intake and to monitor you weight. If you follow everything pretty well there is no reason for you to not lose any weight.

Calorie Counter on Google Play
Calorie Counter on App Store

Is a great app for you Android phone.It is pretty solid and has some great features. One of the best features is the picture instant upload. When you take a picture with your camera it will load them into your Google+ account. It will leave them hidden from public view and you will select which album you want them in.
Google + on Google Play

If you like syncing all of you files from you desktop to you computer Dropbox is a must have application. Even if you are not able to install this application to you desktop for a synced folder, you can always go their website and download your files. This is great when you work does not allow for the installation of programs.
Dropbox Google Play
Dropbox Official Website

Study

2012-04-01T08:08:00.000-05:00

Facebook Cleanup

2012-03-31T09:36:00.003-05:00

Doing a Facebook cleanup can help keep many annoying things from popping up on your home page and in your timeline. With all of the apps around and Facebook integration with so many apps, it really seems difficult to keep things private anymore. Doing a Facebook cleanup can really help you combat this problem.

First let’s start off with friends. Some of you might be friend happy, adding everyone and anyone, however you have to be cautious when doing so. Especially if you have a lot of personal information listed in your About Me section, or love to post your current location.

Leaving all of your personal information could actually be dangerous if you have a stalker of some sort. It also makes it easy for people to target you for spamming or the annoyance of people adding you for games. Just make sure

know the person before adding them. I know you might feel a little better when you have more friends, but it is not worth it.

Unfriending

To clean up your friends you have to go to the friend's timeline. On the top right you will see Friends, Message, and then a setting icon. Hover over the Friends icon, you will see a pop up window appear. When this happens, the last option is to unfriend. Pretty simple!

The second things to clean up are apps. Apps include games, and third party apps from various sources such as phones or web browser add-ons.

Game apps can be very annoying when you have them installed as they will always be asking you for some type of request. Sometimes it might be your friend's fault, however if you are not playing a game why not remove it.

Next are third party apps. Third party apps are freaking everywhere, from websites to cell phones to desktop applications.

Sometimes it is very convenient to use your Facebook Username and Password to log into a website, however as soon as you do this, any information you post on that website will get posted on your timeline. If you are looking to keep somethings private, you might be out of luck. Use your email instead of your Facebook account when setting up a new account.

Phone apps link your applications on your phone to your timeline as well. One example of this is Runkeeper. as soon as you get done with a run, it will post it on your time line. In this circumstance it might not bad, however if you are trying to keep things private, again you will have a hard time doing so.

There are not a whole lot of desktop apps that link to Facebook, however there are a lot of browser add-ons that you may have given permissions to. Chrome and Firefox have are notorious for having add-ons that grant them access to see your Facebook information.

Delete Facebook Apps

On the top right corner of either your home page or timeline, you will see your name, home, and settings tabs (the setting tab is an upside down triangle). Select the settings tab and go down to account settings, then go to apps. You will notice all of your apps listed, here you can select edit and remove or hit the x button to remove.

You might be surprised how many apps you have given permission to over time. It might be easy to delete between 20 and 40 apps that you have installed. Pretty crazy to think you may have that many apps authorized to get information from your Facebook account.

Don’t freak out and think all of these apps use your personal information in a bad way. In most cases you will be completely safe. The same thing would apply to your friends. However again, be cautious if you add everything and anything to your account. In these cases you might be setting you self-up for potential risk.

Friends and apps are some of the main things to clean up, however also take a look at things you put a "like" to, and groups you may have signed up for. They are a little easier to clean up, so while your at it make sure to give them a look as well.

If you have any other helpful Facebook tips please post them below.

Poor Dog

2012-03-31T04:00:00.000-05:00

Google Tablet coming soon?

2012-03-30T05:30:00.000-05:00

Google is planning to go head to head with Apple by releasing Google Tablets. News from the Wall Street Journal says that they will be releasing these tablets as they have with Google phones in the past. It would be great if Google does this as they have with phones and Chrome Books in the past.

The reason it would be great is that fact that you will be getting Android the way it was intended to be. You will be getting stock Android that will be easier to customize and make your own. You will not have all of the added features from the phone manufactures or providers. In short no bloatware that can wreck havoc on your device.

The one thing that could really make these tablets a success is if they keep their prices reasonable. The Google phones were so pricey that many went with a phone that was reduced by their carriers. It was a lot more cost effective to purchase a phone for 199.99 than a phone for 549.99 that had the same exact features.

So if Google does mange to keep their tablets at a reasonable price. I am willing to bet they could start to be more competitive in the tablet world. It could turn out to be a win for everyone as well.

With Google purchasing Motorola they might actually start building a business model like Apple. They will have one device that will stick to its basics but get better as time passes.

If you have any comments on this news please post below.