New feature from Lookout snaps picture of possible phone thieves

Lookout has added a new feature to its Android app called Lock Cam that can help identify phone thieves. Lock Cam will alert you if someone is trying to steal your Android phone or is trying to break in to access personal information. If someone tries three times to enter the wrong password into your lockscreen, the front-facing camera will snap a picture of the thief and send it to you via email. Along with the picture, the email will also send you a location of the phone using the GPS on the device. 
The Lock Cam feature is available for those with a front-facing camera on a phone running Android 2.3 or higher with the lock screen enabled. Right now, you must be a premium member to use Lock Cam although Lookout says it will be added to the free version of the app sometime in the next week.

Lookout also has added a new feature for its paying members ($2.99 month/$29.99 year) that lets users write a message of up to 300 characters on their Lookout Lock Screen that tells those who might find the phone, where to return it to. If you've ever had the misfortune to have had your phone stolen or lost, you probably realize how useful the Lookout app can be.

source: Lookout via PCMag

View the original article here

Samsung Galaxy S IV rumored to feature 2,600mAh battery, 'Altius' codename

android news rumors and leaks Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy S IV rumors are starting to trickle in, and today a new report claims to have details on the new flagship handset and the codename that it may currently be going by. According to SamMobile, the new Galaxy S smartphone is going by the codename "Altius" and will feature the model number GT-I9500. The device is expected to be introduced in both black and white initially and could feature a 2,600mAh battery. SamMobile also claims that Samsung will offer a wireless charging kit for the new Galaxy S "a couple of weeks" after the phone goes on sale. Speaking of going on sale, it's rumored that Samsung plans to begin shipping the S IV out during week 16, which starts on April 15.

Samsung's follow-up to the Galaxy S III is one of the most highly-anticipated smartphones of 2013. Considering both that and the great lengths that Samsung went to to keep the Galaxy S III a secret before its introduction, you can bet that Sammy will try to keep a tight lid on its new Galaxy S to try and prevent leaks ahead of its arrival. While the information contained in today's report is obviously unconfirmed, some of it wouldn't be a surprise if it turned out to be legit. For example, a 2,600mAh battery would be a bit of a step up from the S III's 2,100mAh juice pack, and a mid-April debut would put the S IV on the market just a little under a year after its predecessor. What do you all make of today's Galaxy S IV rumor? Is Samsung's new flagship a device that you're looking forward to in 2013?

Via SamMobile

var Scribol; if (typeof Scribol == 'undefined') { Scribol = {}; Scribol.frames = []; Scribol.site = 'http://scribol.com/'; Scribol.is_preview = false; } Scribol.frames.push('2058772');
Alex is the Senior News Editor for PhoneDog. He digs mobile tech and just about every other kind of tech, too. He's also into cooking, sports, his two cats and drinking lots of coffee. - full profile

View the original article here

Facebook's new feature tells you local places that your best buds like

You might have noticed a new update today for the Facebook app on your iOS or Android device. The update brings a new feature called "Nearby" to the social network.  The new feature allows you to see places near you that your friends have visited, liked, or have recommended. Sure, it's not anything that you haven't seen from other apps, but it does have the advantage of being accessible to Facebook's large contingent of users. With the feature, you will be able to make recommendations and rate places yourself.

Facebook says that the new feature is an "early release" and that the technology will improve as more people use it. Facebook also adds that it will add third party recommendations to the service as well. So if you want to know which local places your Facebook pals suggest, you can update your iOS or Android app now.

source: GooglePlayStore, iTunes via iPodnn

View the original article here

Call Bliss enhances iPhone’s new Do Not Disturb feature

Scottsdale, Arizona – nVariance today is thrilled to announce the release of Call Bliss 1.0, a simple-yet-powerful app that enhances iOS 6.0?s new “Do Not Disturb” feature by making it easier for iPhone(R) users to manage who can call them while Do Not Disturb is activated. Wherever you go, Call Bliss automatically ensures callers you want to talk to can reach you – and those you don’t, can’t.

“Do Not Disturb” was one of iOS 6?s most well-received additions. It silences all incoming calls unless the caller is on its “Allowed Callers” list, but doesn’t make it easy to customize or modify that list for different activities and locations.

Call Bliss makes it simple to create groups of allowed callers and activate them with a tap when you want their calls – or deactivate them when you don’t. Even better, it can control which callers can reach you in specific locations, such as home, work, while on the road, or at the golf course. Call Bliss will also automatically update your Allowed Callers list when entering new places, so you don’t have to lift a finger to be sure the right people can always call you.

Call Bliss is also extremely customizable. Your most important callers, such as a spouse or significant other, children, parents, best friends, and even business partners can be added to Call Bliss’ “Always Allowed” list to ensure they can always reach you.

For times when you want to be left alone, Call Bliss provides a “Blackout Mode” that silences all calls. During times when you want to be sure you can be reached by friends, family and co-workers, its “Open Door Mode” lets calls ring through from anyone in your address book, while still eliminating the annoyance of unknown callers.

Call Bliss makes Do Not Disturb more useful and versatile, and your days more productive and enjoyable. Call Bliss users gain peace of mind knowing they won’t miss important calls, while no longer being bothered by unwanted callers.

Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
* Requires iOS 6.0 or later
* 3.0 MB

Pricing and Availability:
Call Bliss 1.0 is offered at the introductory price of $2.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Utilities category.

nVariance LLC is an iOS developer and publisher founded in 2011 and located in Scottsdale, Arizona. nVariance is dedicated to developing apps to improve the iOS user experience. Copyright (C) 2012 nVariance LLC. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

View the original article here