Tag Archives: phone

GM has new Google Maps Substitute With Traffic Alerts, Voice Commands

While Google Maps may be the preferred navigation app for large number of drivers to choose from, automobile makers are investing strongly in their own alternative solutions, some which are getting more technically advanced with new capabilities like road hazard alerts and low-fuel notifications.

General Motors, however, will be using a different strategy with regards to select model year 2018 and newer models. The business will unveil an app-based navigation system created with the assistance of Mapbox, as a drive to provide customers with the up-to-date solution that provides the feature tools of modern applications like Google Maps and Apple Maps.

Called Maps+, the new app won’t be available for download from app stores, the way Google Maps is, but only be offered as a component of Connected Vehicle, Premium, and App Access subscription plans. Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac models are supported, and GM says all eligible owners will receive a notification when the app is available.

It appears, GM’s goal would be to build a solution which comes with new-gen capabilities, so Maps+ also comes with support for Amazon’s Alexa. The digital assistant can be used for voice commands any time you want to set up a new destination, and it’ll also be used for providing directions.

The app can handle both day and night modes and includes routing based on real-time traffic much like Waze. In addition it displays speed limit data and road hazard alerts, and, with vehicle integration, it could automatically determine the route to a nearby station when the fuel level is low.

Much like the other navigation apps available on the market, Maps+ includes predictive keyboard support and incorporates shortcuts for typical searches like coffee, parking, fuel, and favorites.

General Motors describes the program is going to be available for no less than 900,000 vehicles out there, and the program will start on April 30. Of course, Google Maps will continue to perform in all vehicles if Android Auto or CarPlay is supported.

Mobile Gaming Explained

gamingIn 2021, expect to see game development engines like Unity and Unreal improve their offerings. This will result in the empowerment of game developers who will take the ball and run with it. Such an improvement will enable them to take more control of the game development process, explore their creativity, and develop more engaging products.

If you’re not familiar with mobile games, you will be soon because this is the next big area of growth expected in the billion dollar gaming market. A mobile game is a computer software game played on a mobile phone. Mobile games are usually downloaded via the mobile operator’s network, but in some cases games are also loaded into the mobile handsets when purchased, or via infrared connection, Bluetooth or memory card. Mobile games are developed using technologies such as DoCoMo’s DoJa, Sun’s J2ME, Qualcomm’s BREW (Binary Runtime for Wireless) or Infusio’s ExEn (Execution Environment).

Other platforms are also available, but not as common.

The different platforms

BREW is the more powerful technology, giving, as it does, complete control of the handset and complete access to its functionality. However this unchecked power could be dangerous, and for this reason BREW development process is tailored mainly towards recognized software vendors. While the BREW SDK (Software Development Kit) is freely available, running software on real mobile hardware (as opposed to the provided emulator) requires a digital signature which can only be generated with tools issued by a handful of parties, namely mobile content providers and Qualcomm themselves.

Even then, the game will only work on test enabled devices. To be downloadable on regular phones the software must be checked, tested and given approval by Qualcomm via their TRUE BREW Testing programme.

Java (aka “J2ME” / “Java ME” / “Java 2 Micro Edition”) runs atop a Virtual Machine (called the KVM) which allows reasonable, but not complete, access to the functionality of the underlying phone. This extra layer of software provides a solid barrier of protection which seeks to limit damage from erroneous or malicious software. It also allows Java software to move freely between different types of phone (and other mobile device) containing radically different electronic components, without modification. The price that is paid is a modest decrease in the potential speed of the game and the inability to utilise the entire functionality of a phone (as Java software can only do what this middle-man layer supports.)

Because of this extra security and compatibility, it is usually a quite simple process to write and distribute Java mobile applications, including games, to a wide range of phones. Usually all that is needed is a freely available Java Development Kit for creating Java software itself, the accompanying Java ME tools (known as the Java Wireless Toolkit) for packaging and testing mobile software, and space on a web server (web site) to host the resulting application once it is ready for public release.

Current limitations of mobile games

Mobile games tend to be small in scope and often rely on good gameplay over flashy graphics, due to the lack of processing power of the client devices. One major problem for developers and publishers of mobile games is describing a game in such detail that it gives the customer enough information to make a purchasing decision.

Currently, mobile games are sold through network carriers and operators portals, meaning there are only a few lines of text and perhaps a screenshot of the game to entice the customer. There is a reliance on powerful brands and licences such as Tomb Raider or Colin McRae, a racing game. There is also the use of well-known and established play patterns, meaning game play mechanics that are instantly recognizable in games like Tetris, Space Invaders or Poker. Both these strategies are used to entice mobile gamers to purchase games for a fee when a limited amount of additional information is provided by the wireless carrier, who typically acts as a third party hosting the game.

Recent innovations in mobile games include Single player, Multiplayer and 3D graphics. Virtual love games belong to both of single player and multiplayer games. Multiplayer games are quickly finding an audience, as players find the ability to play against other people, a natural extension of their mobile phone’s connectivity.

iPhone Applications Adds Another Feather To iPhones Cap

The iphone hype has taken the world by storm. From iphone accessories to iphone applications, many people around the world are now taking advantage of Apple’s first mobile phone product.

iphone applications are software developed to be entirely used with iphone. These are websites and applications web developers have made for the iphone. It is remembered that Apple once announced that the iphone applications can be made by 3rd party developers. In effect, there has never been a gadget like iphone that brought many developers to create applications for a single device quickly. Only two months after the iphone’s release, hundreds of iphone applications have already been created and are now being used by the hundreds of thousands iphone owners.

Apple’s announcement is seemingly a great solution for allowing developers to share wisdom in creating software. Thus, phone software developers around the world are given freedom to work around with the iphone that would be essentially useful for iphone owners.

What Makes Iphone Applications

iphone applications are mostly websites that can be best viewed and only accessed on the iphone. Categories of applications are so many that owners are sure to get exactly what they need and want. There are apps for communication, games, media controllers, organization, travel, business, financial, magazines, movies, news, religion, shopping, sports, tools, video, and more.

Developers who create iphone applications must make their software run under Safari since Apple is using Safari as the main web browser. The developers must also consider hosting the iphone applications or website on their own servers. Moreover, the application must maintain the platform’s look and feel, as well as, make it customizable as reported. Steve Jobs even said in a statement, that only a working knowledge of the web standards and software creations will be needed to make interesting iphone applications.

Days after the iphone was launched, web applications for iphone have already been released. Landing on the Top 25 list according a blog profiling new Web 2.0 startups are the following applications: iphoneChar, Google Reader,iphoneDigg, One Trip Shopping List, iPhlickr, Hahlo, iZoho,Gas.app, MyMetar, Apple Reader,iPhoeTravel, iActu,DiggMobile, iBoomark, 101 Cookbooks,YouTube,goMovies,Listingly,iPlinh,iChess, NYTimes River, CheapMF, iTOuch, Avalanche, and ExpenseView.

While the iphone has become a popular gadget and is the much anticipated cellphone this 2007, not all users and developers are happy that there are now many iphone applications available. However, it is undeniable that many applications have impressed a lot of developers and owners. Just like any new gadget out there, iphone is one amazing technology.