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Google launches ‘AIY Projects’, open-source hardware dev kits for Assistant SDK & Android Things

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Google is launching a new initiative called AIY Projects, which will include a number of do-it-yourself artificial intelligence reference kits for developers starting with a new Voice Kit it’s announcing today. Google hopes the first project will help developers build voice command interfaces directly into products, using them to replace, for example, apps, physical buttons and digital displays currently used to control appliances and other accessories.


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Waze unveils new Transport SDK, partnering with popular apps like Lyft to offer smart integration

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waze-trialWaze is already the go-to app for real-time traffic updates, and today they’ve upped their game. Waze has officially announced its Transport SDK, which will give partners the ability to implement some of Waze’s features into their own applications. There will be no need to switch out of an app just to see a road block two miles ahead in the not-so-distant future.


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Google Maps SDK for iOS updated w/ bitcode support, new events, more

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Google today has announced an update to the Google Maps SDK for iOS, bumping it to version 1.11. The update includes bitcode support, new events, and brings some features previously available only in the Android SDK to iOS.

Bitcode support means that Apple can optimize for specific target devices at provisioning time and is an intermediate representation of your app that is uploaded to the App Store.

Google Maps SDK for iOS 1.11 also includes two new events that take better take advantage of multitouch features of iOS devices. Google writes on its Geo Developers blog:

The Google Maps SDK for iOS 1.11 also introduces two new events: didLongPressInfoWindowOfMarker and didCloseInfoWindowOfMarker. The long press event takes advantage of iOS long-touch as another way for users to interact with Maps SDK for iOS enabled apps. The close event is particularly useful if you wish to programmatically zoom back out on the map after the user has looked at the detail associated with a particular marker.

The latest Google Maps SDK for iOS 1.11 also includes a handful of new features and bug fixes:

  • Setting ground overlay opacity with an alpha value
  • Polygon hole support
  • Increased camera tilt range at high zoom
  • Additional Places autocomplete functionality

The full release notes and big fixes can be found here.

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Pinterest announces IFTTT & Polyvore apps as first developer platform integrations

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After introducing a new developers platform and SDK in May, Pinterest is today announcing a couple of the first integrations developers have come up with starting with popular automation platform IFTTT and community based shopping/fashion site Polyvore.

For IFTTT, the service that lets users automate common web and app-based tasks based on a set of rules known as “recipes”, users will now be able to link products and devices on Pinterest to their automated workflows. The company shared some examples: automatically save Pins to a board from simple actions in other apps such as liking a photo on Instagram, upvoting a post on Reddit or favoriting an item on Etsy. There are more than 20 Recipes to choose from starting today. The Pinterest integration for IFTTT is available through desktop and the service’s mobile apps including Android.

For Polyvore, users can login to the site using their Pinterest account to quickly and easily get access to pinning items from the fashion community/shopping site to Pinterest boards via the company’s iOS app. Support through the Android app, however, is coming soon. 

In addition, Pinterest noted that new SDKs and documentation for developers are available to all through the company’s new developers site. The new SDKs give devs access to the Pin It button and JS and OAuth support.

Google ending support for Android Developer Tools in Eclipse later this year

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Android Studio was first announced at Google I/O 2013, and now Google is making one of the last pushes to get developers to move over to the new development environment. According to a post on the Google Developers blog, the company is planning to retire support for Android Developer Tools in Eclipse later this year:

To that end and to focus all of our efforts on making Android Studio better and faster, we are ending development and official support for the Android Developer Tools (ADT) in Eclipse at the end of the year. This specifically includes the Eclipse ADT plugin and Android Ant build system.

Google then goes on to detail how to migrate over to Android Studio if you haven’t yet. Obviously, the first step is to download Android Studio. After this, most developers will be able to easily migrate by importing existing Eclipse ADT projects into Android Studio via the Import Project window (as shown above).

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Twitter Kit and Digits for Android go open source

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With a swarm of developers from around the world converging on San Francisco’s Moscone Center tomorrow for Google I/O, Twitter wants them to keep the company’s real-time social platform at the top of mind. This afternoon it announced that its developer tools for integrating Twitter into Android apps have been open-sourced, with the projects now hosted publicly on Github.


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Google Play Services 6.5 now available from Android SDK Manager

The latest version of Google Play Services for Android is now available to developers through Android SDK Manager. Google Play Services 6.5 features several new developer features for its Maps, Fit, and other APIs. Moreover, there is a new “lite mode” that allows developers to include a static map image in locations that would normally make it impractical or impossible to manipulate the map.
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Kamcord gameplay recording platform gets into mobile gaming competitions starting w/ SEGA

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Kamcord, the mobile gameplay recording platform that offers developers an easy way to implement cross-platform gameplay recording and sharing features, is today announcing its next big push in mobile gaming: competitions.

The company realized that its SDK provides a lot of unique opportunities for app developers interested in hosting competitions or tournament-style contests, so it’s now working with some to host competitive gaming events in their apps. First up: SEGA. 
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Google Fit preview SDK now available to download

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Google-Fit

Almost two months back at I/O, Google formally announced its new Google Fit health tracking platform. With support from partners like Addidas and Nike, Mountain View said that it would soon release a preview SDK for developers and today the company has made good on its word. Outlined in a blog post by Angana Ghosh, Product Manager, Google Fit, the platform provides devs with a single set of APIs for apps and device manufacturers to store and access activity data from fitness software and sensors on Android and wearables.


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New Google Play Games SDK brings improved cross-platform gaming to Android & iOS

Wagon-War-Play-Games-SDK-Google announced today that some notable new updates are available now in its Google Play Games SDK allowing developers to make even better cross-platform gaming experiences across Android and iOS. Some of the features were announced during its Google I/O developer conference late last month, including an update to the Play Games C++ SDK that brings turn-based multiplayer, quests and events, and saved games support:
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Chromecast updated with full support for closed captions on Android, Chrome and iOS

 

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Google has released an update for the Google Cast SDK, bringing full closed caption support to Chromecast on Android, Chrome and iOS devices. A new version of the Media Player Library (0.8.0) is also available. Moreover, the receiver SDK, the default receiver and the styled media receiver now also have closed caption support.

A detailed list of changes are outlined in the official release notes.

Google releases ‘Android Wear’ SDK developer preview, says Android-powered wearables coming later this year

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrqZl2QIz0c]

Following confirmation from Google’s Sundar Pichai earlier this month that a Android SDK for wearables was on the way, Google has now officially announced Android’s entrance into wearables with project “Android Wear.” The Android Wear SDK allows developers to integrate a number of features into Android powered wearables and relies heavily on Google Now functionality, as we were first to report late last year.

Google also confirmed that it’s working with a handful of partners to bring Android Wear powered wearables to market by later this year:

Asus, HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung; chip makers Broadcom, Imagination, Intel, Mediatek and Qualcomm; and fashion brands like the Fossil Group to bring you watches powered by Android Wear later this year.’

What can developers do with Android Wear? Google says the devices will be capable of displaying, for example, the latest posts and updates from social and messaging apps, answers via “OK Google” voice commands and Google Now-like functionality, as well as a number of fitness and health related data points. Google is also allowing Android Wear devices to talk with other devices like your phone or Chrome device through voice commands:
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Google confirms Android SDK for wearables coming in two weeks

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Today during a talk at a SXSW Interactive event, Google’s Android and Chrome chief Sundar Pichai apparently announced that a new Android SDK for developers interested in developing wearables will arrive in the next two weeks (via TheVerge). While Google isn’t announcing any specific products, Pichai made it clear that Google will be approaching Android on smart watches and wearables much like on smartphones. With the new SDK, Sundar said the company plans to “lay out a vision for developers as to how we’ll see this market working.” Pichai also hinted that the new Android SDK for wearables will incorporate wearables beyond simply smartwatches.

“We want to develop a set of common protocols by which they can work together,” Pichai said, “they need a mesh layer and they need a data layer by which they can all come together”… “when we say we say wearables, we are thinking much more broadly”

9to5Google first reported that Google was working on a smartwatch that would rely heavily on Google Now-like features. There have been unconfirmed reports recently that Google as well as some of its close partners like LG have been developing smart watches and wearables running Android. Google also picked up WIMM Labs late last year for its Android smartwatch/wearble platform and SDK and the most recent report claimed that a Nexus smartwatch announcement could come as soon as this month.
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Google Maps SDK for iOS adds 64 bit support and more

Developers that are using Google’s Maps APIs to build iOS apps will be pleased with Google’s latest update to its Google Maps SDK for iOS today. Version 1.6 of the SDK brings one notable new feature for developers that are transitioning their apps to iOS 7’s new 64 bit architecture available for devices running Apple’s new A7 processor.

The SDK now fully supports 64-bit architectures with both the 32 and 64 bit binaries built into a single updated GoogleMaps framework. Google notes that “The correct binary will be selected by Xcode based on your build settings.”

Version 1.6 of the new Google Maps SDK for iOS also includes a few other new features including enhanced marker opacity and min/max zoom settings. A full list of what’s new and fixed is below:

Version 1.6 – November 2013

Download version 1.6.

Features

  • The Google Maps SDK for iOS now supports 64-bit architectures. Both 32 and 64 bit binaries are built into the single GoogleMaps framework. The correct binary will be selected by Xcode based on your build settings. For instructions on building 64-bit applications, please refer to Apple’s 64-bit transition guide. (Issue 5806)
  • Changed some instances of CGFloat to either a float or double where it was more appropriate.
  • Added the ability to restrict min and max zoom on GMSMapView. (Issue 5882)
  • Added opacity on GMSTileLayer and GMSMarker.
  • Core Animation on GMSMapView now requires model values to be set

Resolved issues:

  • Info windows and tappable regions now rotate correctly with markers. (Issue 5896Issue 5969)
  • Padding on a GMSMapView is no longer clamped to its bounds (useful if setting padding on an initially zero-sized map). (Issue 5864)
  • Copyright information now animates when changing GMSMapView size or padding.
  • Info windows are removed if their GMSMarker is removed from a GMSMapView. (Issue 5856)
  • My Location dot uses the last known location information when enabled. (Issue 5590)
  • Resolved two rare race conditions that were causing crashes. (Issue 5795)
  • Resolved an issue where retain cycles were causing memory leaks on GMSMapView and GMSPanoramaView.

Kamcord brings free gameplay recording platform to Android as it hits 1M video uploads

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Last time we checked in with Kamcord, the free SDK that allows developers to easily implement in-game recording functionality in their iOS games, it had just hit 1B videos recorded, announced a brand new user community, and picked up an additional $1M in funding. At the time the company told us it was planning Android support, and today Kamcord becomes the first major platform to make in-game recording available free to Android developers.

Kamcord is today starting to accept signups for its new Android beta through http://kamcord.com/android, and in the coming weeks will make the SDK available to download for anyone.

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Kamcord’s in-game UI for sharing recorded gameplay on iPad

We spoke with CEO Matt Zitzmann this week who told us all about the company’s plans to break into the Android world after having success on iOS. With next generation Xbox and PlayStation consoles bringing new in-game recording features to the mainstream, Kamcord has the opportunity to be the go-to solution for similar functionality in mobile games, and Android is a big piece of that puzzle. Zitzmann tells us that the company hopes the new Android SDK will help “to more easily drive adoption within Asia” where Android is thriving.

Kamcord’s biggest rival, Everyplay, is yet to introduce Android support for its similar platform, and today’s release of the Kamcord beta for Android could give the company a big jump on its competitor.

CEO of Djinnworks Robert Szeleney, a publisher with over 140 million app downloads across iOS and Android, is excited to bring the Kamcord platform to its Android titles:
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Samsung officially opens registration for first Developer Conference, will unveil new SDKs & S Pen features

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Samsung originally planned to open up registration for its first developer conference earlier this month, but after a short delay, the company has finally announced today that it’s accepting sign-ups for the event. This will be the first time Samsung comes to San Francisco to host a developer conference, something Google and Apple have been doing for years and commonly use to introduce new products and upcoming developer facing features. Samsung too plans to unveil some new services and features for developers:

Samsung’s event will feature over 40 technical sessions and industry sessions from leading influencers in the mobile, consumer electronics and digital content industries. Samsung will also unveil a number of new SDKs and tools that will help developers maximize the latest innovations, features and capabilities found in Samsung devices.

Registration is open now on Samsung’s website for the event scheduled to take place on October 27-29 at Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. Tickets cost $299 and will provide access to all keynotes and developer sessions.

We still don’t know what exactly we’ll be seeing at the conference, but Samsung does plan to show off some new tools and APIs for developers, including:

* First-look at new Samsung SDKs and tools including S Pen and new features

* Deep dive into Samsung Service Platform and services APIs including ChatON, Group Play,

Samsung AdHub, Context Aware and much more

* Best practices for developing Smart TV application in multi-screen environments spanning,

mobile, tablet and TV

* Cross-platform development case including HTML5, Web app and more

* Special sessions for B2B developers which cover the Samsung mobile partnership program,

building certified applications, KNOX, Enterprise SDK, and more

* Development opportunities in emerging categories such as gaming and much more

Samsung Opens Registration for First Annual Global Developers Conference

Event takes place in San Francisco from October 27-29 and includes over 40 working sessions, insight to new Samsung tools and SDKs and guest talks from industry luminaries

SAN JOSE, Calif.― August 26, 2013 ― Samsung Electronics Co. today announced that registration for its first annual Samsung Developers Conference has officially opened. The event, to be held at San Francisco’s St. Francis Hotel, from October 27-29, will feature insight into new tools to help developers create exciting, innovative applications and services across Samsung devices and best practice demonstrations.

Samsung’s event will feature over 40 technical sessions and industry sessions from leading influencers in the mobile, consumer electronics and digital content industries. Samsung will also unveil a number of new SDKs and tools that will help developers maximize the latest innovations, features and capabilities found in Samsung devices.

“Samsung is excited to offer developers a single place to learn how to develop, market, and monetize applications and services that may span smartphones, tablets, and televisions,” said Dr. WonPyo Hong, President of the Samsung Media Solution Center. “As convergence of user experiences and as consumers utilize more devices, even at the same time, the opportunity for developers to be innovative has never been better.”

Technical sessions and presentations from industry thought-leaders will cover key topics, including:

* First-look at new Samsung SDKs and tools including S Pen and new features
* Deep dive into Samsung Service Platform and services APIs including ChatON, Group Play,
Samsung AdHub, Context Aware and much more
* Best practices for developing Smart TV application in multi-screen environments spanning,
mobile, tablet and TV
* Cross-platform development case including HTML5, Web app and more
* Special sessions for B2B developers which cover the Samsung mobile partnership program,
building certified applications, KNOX, Enterprise SDK, and more
* Development opportunities in emerging categories such as gaming and much more

Tickets to the Samsung Developer Conference cost $299 and include access to keynotes, working sessions and an exclusive developer event on the evening of Monday, October 28. Additional information about the conference, including details on how to register, can be found at www.samsungdevcon.com.

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Google TV will support Chromecast in a future update

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Sundar Pichai already made it quite clear that Google TV isn’t going anywhere despite its shiny new $35 Chromecast device unveiled during its Android and Chrome event yesterday. However, in case you were wondering whether or not the Chromecast and accompanying SDK would be supported through Google TV devices as well, Googlers have since confirmed that it will indeed support the Chromecast streaming standard in a future update:

With the exciting news about Chromecast we are getting a lot of questions mostly wondering if Google TV is dead.

No, in fact partners are continuing to launch new Google TV-enabled HDTVs and boxes. As we announced at I/O, we are working with partners to bring the latest experience of Android and Chrome to devices later this year. We believe there is ample room for both products to exist and succeed.

Sundar made it quite clear that going forward Google TV and the new Chromecast HDMI stick would be part of one product strategy, so its not surprising Chromecast apps will also be able to stream to Google TVs through the same standard. Chromecast hardware will focus on more casual video streaming on the cheap, while Google TV will continue its mission to bring a full Android experience into the living room.

(via AndroidPolice)

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Amazon launches ‘Login with Amazon’ sign-in service for Android, iOS & web

Amazon is announcing today the roll out of a new service called “Login with Amazon” t0 allow developers to easily offer an Amazon sign-in option in their apps, games, and websites. Amazon says in a trial with Zappos.com customers chose to sign in using the Login with Amazon service about 40 percent of the time, while a trial with Woot found customers using Amazon sign in “had the highest rate of order conversion”:

“Login with Amazon enables app developers and website owners to leverage Amazon’s trusted sign-in solution, allowing them to focus on providing a great experience for their customers,” said Michael Carr, Amazon Vice President, eCommerce Services. “Amazon customers now have a hassle-free way to quickly and securely sign-in to apps, games and websites, without having to remember yet another password.”

Amazon is making the service available free of charge to devs and has SDKs for both Android and iOS available to download through its new login.amazon.com website.

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Pebble Watch SDK goes live, new watch faces and apps to come

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Pebble, the E-Ink smart-watch for iPhones and Android devices which raised over 10 million dollars on Kickstarter is about to get a lot of new features. Today, Pebble announced that the watch SDK is being released today. The SDK will allow developers to create custom watch faces, alerts and new apps.

At the moment, there’s less than 10 available watch faces and only one app, but expect those numbers to grow dramatically now that developers can get their hands on a public SDK.
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Nuance launches ‘Voice Ads’ platform to bring voice recognition tech to mobile advertising

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kusQK7PCXTM

If Nuance gets its way with the just announced ‘Voice Ads’ mobile advertising platform, soon every mobile ad could include Siri-like functionality that lets you communicate with and ask questions about the product being advertised.

Nuance, the company behind the voice recognition module now used in Apple’s Siri, today announced a new project to bring its voice recognition technology to the mobile advertising world. The basic concept of the new platform, which Nuance made available through an SDK for advertising companies, is to bring a two-way, interactive conversation to mobile ads. As highlighted by Nuance in the video above, ads that implement the Voice Ads platform will allow users to engage in a Siri-like conversation with an advertisement:

Nuance Voice Ads gives mobile advertisers and creative agencies an opportunity to go beyond the limitations of the four-inch mobile device screen and create a conversation with consumers through the power of voice recognition. Voice Ads finally creates an opportunity for brands to deepen the relationship with their consumers, with targeted interactive ads that deeply engage their core audience – much in the way that the world’s most popular mobile personal assistants have deepened consumers’ relationship with their mobile phones.

In the demo above, Nuance shows an advertisement for a fictional deodorant brand that uses a magic 8-ball theme to answer any question that users might have. The ad of course ends in a pitch for the product in question, as you might expect. Other ads could allow users to ask specific questions about a product’s release date or specs…


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