27
Mar
translatetiny

Google Translate Adds 51 Offline Language Packs, Lets You Tear Down The Language Barrier Without A Network Connection

Posted by in Applications, News

Google Translate has always been one of the unsung heroes of the free service space. On the one hand, it doesn't provide a perfect translation, so people are still hesitant to call it a true breakthrough. On the other hand, we use it all the time to translate web pages enough to get the gist and, when combined with speech-to-text and text-to-speech, you can use the Android app as the closest thing to a universal translator in your pocket the world has ever seen. Now, it's getting even better with offline language packs.

Starting today, you can download any of the 51 language packs available and have always-on access to translation between any combination of the ones you've chosen.

22
Feb
chromebookpixeltiny

[Editorial] No One's Going To Buy The Chromebook Pixel, But It's Still The Most Exciting Thing Google's Done In A While

Posted by in Editorials, News

Yesterday, Google did what Google does best: announce a first version of something that is completely ridiculous, very few people care about, most folks mocked, and that will ultimately end up forgotten in the annals of internet history. No offense, Goog. Some later products are spectacular, but let's be real. Very rarely does Google get it right on the first try.

However, the Chromebook Pixel is still a huge deal and the savvy analyst should take notice, because things just changed in a big way. Google isn't selling a product with this new laptop, it's making a statement. It's planting a flag on the future because, well, no flag, no future.

15
Feb
unnamed (3)

Utter! Claims To Be The First Non-IME App To Utilize Offline Voice Recognition In Jelly Bean

Posted by in Applications, Development, News

Did you know that, since the last update to Google Search, developers have been able to utilize offline voice recognition? Previously, any non-system app that wasn't an IME (Input Method Editor) that hoped to recognize your voice without a web connection needed a rather kludgy typing overlay. Since the update though, apps can hear and interpret not just your words, but essentially any command that doesn't explicitly require web access.

Utter!, taking advantage of the new possibility, claims to have become the first app with working offline voice recognition for Android Jelly Bean. After reaching out to Ben Randall, the app's developer, we've got a clearer picture of what it used to take to recognize speech offline, and what has changed.

04
Oct
tomtom

TomTom Finally Releases Offline Maps And Navigation For Android, But It Doesn't Work With Any Modern, High-End Device

Posted by in Applications, News

I imagine there was a meeting at TomTom some months ago where it was decided, for whatever reason, that there was a need for them to bring their own maps and navigation apps to Android. Now, after who knows how long, those apps have come to fruition. Only they're quite expensive ($38-$60), and not compatible with, well, any modern device. Not the HTC One X, Galaxy Note, Galaxy S III, or Galaxy Nexus. And no tablets. Or many other relevant devices.

Why? Because the apps are only compatible on devices with 480x800 or 480x854 resolutions. So, high-end phones from two+ years ago.

19
Sep
rhapsodytiny

Rhapsody App Turns 3.0, Celebrates By Adding Offline Support For Individual Tracks And Albums

Posted by in Applications, News

While services like Spotify and Rdio may steal the spotlight most of the time, there are other streaming subscription services out there. Related: we need a better name than "streaming subscription services." Rhapsody, originally founded by Real Networks and since become an independent entity, has a pretty impressive library that users can now download for offline playback. An essential feature for a modern cloud music player. Update: To clarify, it's the ability to download songs on an individual or per-album basis that is new. Users were always able songs by adding them to a playlist first. This simply makes the process simpler.

27
Jun
maps

Google Maps Now Features Offline Support, Streetview Sees Improved Compass Mode

Posted by in Apps/Games, Google, News

In yet more app news today, Google pushed out updates to Maps and its cousin Streetview.

shot_000001

First, Google Maps received the promised offline mode, wherein you can pan to a certain area and save it for use without an Internet connection. Pretty neat, though it remains impossible to use navigation offline, limiting the practical applications of this feature.

Additionally, Street View saw a minor update that should improve everyone's favorite compass mode - devices with a gyroscope should now be able to use it more smoothly.

The updates are available now on Google Play, so download away!

Google Maps

Download Google Maps from Google Play
QR code for https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.maps

Streetview

Download Streetview from Google Play
QR code for https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.street

30
Dec
91wPPKeTmjL._AA1500_

[Update: Working As Intended] ASUS Transformer Prime GPS Performs Very Poorly Without Wi-Fi, Massive XDA Thread Ensues

Posted by in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, News, Tablets
Last Updated: January 3rd, 2012

Update 2: ASUS has issued an official statement on the matter and determined that the Prime's GPS is functioning as intended, which for many folks means essentially non-functional.

Please note that this product is not a professional GPS device ... To avoid inconveniencing users who demand a powerful GPS device, we made the decision to remove it from our specification sheet and marketing communications. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

ASUS

That means if you're actually unable to live with your Prime without true GPS, there's not a lot to do but sell it - because ASUS isn't going to (and apparently can't) do anything about it.

06
Jul
nav1

[Updated x2] Google Maps Updated To Version 5.7, Brings Public Transit Navigation, Downloadable Maps, Other Improvements

Posted by in Applications, News

A new update for Google Maps was released today and brings some impressive new functionality. Artem put it well (although perhaps not exactly eloquently): "it's #$%^ing amazing... Google keeps blowing minds." In a nutshell, Transit Navigation (as it's officially dubbed) brings exactly what you'd expect - it helps you navigate public transport. In their words:

Transit Navigation (Beta)
Google Maps Navigation (Beta) currently provides over 12 billion miles of GPS-guided driving and walking directions per year. Now, GPS turn-by-turn (or in this case, stop-by-stop) navigation is available for public transit directions in 400+ cities around the globe with Transit Navigation.

Transit Navigation uses GPS to determine your current location along your route and alerts you when it’s time to get off or make a transfer.

02
Jul
image

CoPilot Introduces CoPilot Live USA v9 Android Apps For The U.S. With Offline Navigation, 40-66% Off Until July 3rd

Posted by in Applications, Deals, News

CoPilot, a popular navigation and mapping company, released Live USA Standard and Premium v9 offline navigation apps to the Android Market on Monday, June 27th. While most people immediately think and resort to using Google Maps, CoPilot apps could come in quite handy for those without data plans (such as phones disconnected from service or Wi-Fi only) or in areas of poor data reception (I felt the need for something like this just this past weekend on a trip to a remote lake).

During the promotional period this week (until Sunday, July 3rd), the Premium version that usually costs $29.99 is going for $9.99 and the Standard version which is usually $4.99 is on sale for $2.99.