Category: News

Chinese developers release untethered iOS 7.1.X jailbreak to much controversy

A Chinese iOS development team named PanGu has released an untethered jailbreak for iOS 7.1.X devices but to much controversy.

The PanGu Team appears to be using an exploit that was disclosed to them during an iOS security training session given by Stefan Esser, also known as i0n1c in the jailbreak community. PanGu even acknowledges Esser’s help within the PanGu jailbreak tool. Esser took to Twitter to let everyone know he’s “in no way okay” with PanGu using the exploit he discovered.

Many iOS developers caution using the PanGu exploit as the Chinese developers are relatively unknown. Reknown iOS hacker, iH8sn0w, audited the PanGu code and found no “spyware” or “malicious trails.”

The PanGu tool is entirely in Chinese, making it difficult to use for non-Chinese speakers. However, there are plenty of sites detailing how to use the tool. Just do a quick Google search for a guide.

As usual with these jailbreak tools, proceed with caution and know that you void your phone or tablet’s warranty. PanGu also includes an option to install a pirate app store by default, making it even more questionable.

The PanGu jailbreak tool is available for Windows only, although the developers claim they’re working on a Mac version. Check out the source link if you want to give PanGu a try.

Source: PanGu.io

Via: 9to5Mac

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Yahoo’s Aviate smart-launcher leaves beta with new interface and communication features

After months of beta testing, Yahoo’s Aviate smart-launcher is finally ready for prime time. Aviate learns how you use your phone and recommends apps based on your location and the time of day.

For example, Aviate will suggest news apps in the morning to get you caught up with the day’s headlines. The update also brings news summaries courtesy of Yahoo’s award-winning News Digest app. At night, Aviate may recommend the Kindle app for some reading before bed. It will learn how you use your phone and will update its recommendations. You can also add your own apps to speed up the process.

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Aviate also gives you transit times, directions to your next meeting, and detailed information about nearby points of interest.

Today’s update features a slight redesign and quick access to communication apps. Swipe up from the bottom of the home screen to bring up a list of your favorite contacts to quickly call or text.

The launcher also supports icon packs so you can customize its looks a little. Although it doesn’t offer as many customization features as other launchers, Aviate does help you get things done faster.

Aviate icon pack

The Aviate update should be rolling out today, but some users are still seeing the old version, which requires a invite code. Check the download link below to see if you have access to the update.

Download Aviate for Android

Source: Aviate

Via: The Verge

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Nokia debuts a contextual Android launcher

Z Launcher is a brand new Android launcher from Nokia. There are ton of third-party launchers already but Nokia hopes Z Launcher’s gesture controls and contextual awareness will separate it from the rest.

The most compelling feature of Z Launcher is the way it learns which apps you use during different times of the day. Competitor launchers like Aviate (owned by Yahoo!) and Cover lockscreen (owned by Twitter) offer the same feature. Suggested apps may be hit or miss in the beginning as Z Launcher has to monitor your behavior over time.

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Z Launcher also offers gesture controls, making it easy to search for things on your phone. Write a letter from anywhere on the launcher and it will return a list of results starting with that letter. Its search results show apps, contacts, and web results.

The launcher is currently in pre-beta and is not ready for prime time. The app isn’t available in Google Play yet, so you’ll have to download it from the Z Launcher site. If you want to test the launcher, you’ll have to sign up with your Google account.

You’ll also have to have a Nexus 5 or Samsung Galaxy S3/4/5 to run Z Launcher. Nokia will undoubtedly release it on more devices as development continues.

It seems strange for Nokia, now owned by Microsoft, to be creating a launcher for Android. But Microsoft only purchased Nokia’s phone business, not its technologies group, which developed Z Launcher. However, Microsoft doesn’t seem Android-adverse, releasing a series of Android phones earlier this year.

Source: Z Launcher

Via: The Verge

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Adobe releases updated Flash Player 14 and Adobe AIR 14

Adobe has released Flash Player 14 and AIR 14 Runtime and SDK, updates to two of its most popular web add-ons in the production of online content and web apps. In addition to the usual bug fixes, this version brings new features.

Developments are aimed primarily at developers and include an anisotropic filtering tool, which is basically a method to improve the quality of the texture of images. It also includes a new, advanced profile to create objects in Context3D.

In addition, Adobe has added support for Intel X86 Android and the Gamepad function for Adobe AIR. The latter lets developers enable second screen functions on Android devices for flash browser games, so you could be playing a game on your PC, and interact with it in real time using your Android phone or tablet.

If you want to try AIR Gamepad, there are already two games that incorporate the system: ModelViewer and HungryHero.

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Source: Adobe Blog

The Sims 4 gets a release date

The highly anticipated Sims 4 finally has a release date: September 2nd. The news was confirmed earlier this week at a pre-E3 conference by the game’s developers, Maxis.

A rumored image made its rounds online last week speculating at a September 2nd release date before the announcement was confirmed by game developers.

The Sims 4

Along with the release date came some exciting new updates last week, including info about the more advanced Create A Sim character creator, new images of Build mode for homes, which lets you simply drag and drop changes, and of course, a closer look at the more emotionally intelligent characters.

The Sims 4

These new features aim to make the latest Sims closer to reality than ever before, displaying just how far the PC game has come since it was first released in the year 2000. Expect to here more about The Sims 4 as E3 continues this week.

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First official gameplay trailer for FIFA 15 released

EA Sports has released the first trailer for FIFA 15, the successor to FIFA 14 in the soccer game franchise. Along with the trailer comes a confirmed release date: September 23rd for PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

The trailer shows EA’s use of the Ignite graphics engine for the PC, Xbox and PS4 versions of the game, marking the first time the PC game will use the same engine.

The FIFA 15 trailer shows, once again, that EA wants to convey the emotion of the game, while rivals Konami will surely be aim for more realism with the upcoming PES 2015.

We’ll be expecting big news about FIFA 15 in the coming months, especially during Gamescom in August, Europe’s largest video game trade fair.

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Angry Birds Stella gets September release date

Rovio, the developers of the infamous Angry Birds series, announced today the expected release date of its next game, Angry Birds Stella, in September. The game will most likely be available for both Android and iPhone at launch.

According to Rovio, the newest addition to the Angry Birds family is “fun, feisty and always up for a challenge”. The game features Stella and her friends Poppy, Willow, Dahlia, Luca, and Gale, playing in a new corner of the the Angry Birds universe: the Golden Island.

Angry Birds Stella

In what’s a first for the series, Angry Birds Stella seems to be targeting more of a female audience, telling a story about the power of female friendship. According to Rovio, the characters have “strong and quirky personalities that can sometimes clash, but their rock-solid friendship and love for fun keeps them together through every adventure.” While each character is unique, they’ll work together in the game to accomplish their goals.

Angry Birds Stella

This new game hopes to revive the series, which for the first time in its history, has shown disappointing financial results. With viral hits like Flappy Bird and others flooding the app store–a style which Rovio is trying to mimic with the upcoming RETRY– only time will tell if Angry Birds Stella will help bring the series back to the top of the charts.

[Source: Rovio]

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Batman: Arkham Knight release delayed until 2015

There’s bad news for Batman fans as Rocksteady Studios announced that Batman: Arkham Knight won’t arrive until 2015. The original release date was supposed to be the fall of this year.

Rocksteady and publisher Warner Brothers did not give a reason for delaying the game. A more specific release date will be announced at a later time.

Batman: Arkham Knight joins Watch Dogs as another delayed high-profile game. The recently released Watch Dogs game by Ubisoft was delayed six months to polish the game.

Ubisoft released a new teaser trailer of the game’s Batmobile to tide us over until E3, where more details will be revealed about the game. According to Gameranx, Batman: Arkham Knight will be revealed June 11th from 1:20 to 1:40 PM, Pacific Time, at E3.

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The game will be available for the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One sometime in 2015.

Source: Batman Arkham (YouTube)

Via: Polygon

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Chrome 64-bit is faster and more secure

Google’s Chrome browser is already quick but is about to get quicker with 64-bit support. Google claims it is seeing a 25% average increase in performance.

Security will be tougher with a 64-bit version of Chrome too. Without getting too nerdy, 64-bit software allows more memory randomization, making it harder for hackers to steal information from your RAM.

If that’s not enough to get you excited, 64-bit Chrome claims to crash half as much as the current 32-bit version.

If you’re brave, you can install an experimental version of 64-bit Chrome from the Canary and Dev Channels below. The browser is currently only available on Windows 7 and Windows 8. Since the browser is still experimental, expect to see some bugs.

Download Chrome 64-bit for Windows 7 and 8

Source: The Chromium Blog

Via: Ars Technica

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Opera 22 out now

Opera 22, the latest version of the innovative browser, is out today. It adds new themes and introduces smaller silent updates.

Version 22 came to the Opera development channel in March, and was described as a major update. ‘Silent updates’ is a big change, and means you will no longer be asked to update Opera, or be interrupted with requests to do so. Opera now updates automatically, so you’ll never have to worry about having the latest version. Of course, this also means you can’t choose to stay with an older version.

Opera 22 also includes five new themes showcasing Norwegian scenery. The browser was ‘born’ in Norway, and the development team apparently decided it was time to give Opera a Scandinavian feel! You’re not forced into decorating Opera with dramatic and beautiful scenery – more themes can be added from the themes section of the Opera add-ons site.

Opera 22 is available now for Windows and Mac.

Follow Jonathan on Twitter @jonathanriggall

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