How To Use Google Voice Search On Your Pebble Smartwatch

    Have a Pebble smartwatch and feel a little left out as all the Android Wear folks rock the cutting edge?  Sure, Android Wear smartwatches look awesome & have touchscreens.  Some even have a built in microphone, which allows you to perform various voice tasks such as a Google search or tell your mobile device to play some Korn.  But what if I told you that you can have nearly the same thing using your Pebble & an app called AppLauncher?  Although Pebble doesn't have a built in mic, as long as your mobile device is nearby (which it most likely is), you can easily do this and here's how...

First, go to Google Play Store and install AppLauncher.

Next, under Pebble settings tap Install Watch App on Pebble.

Allow it to install the Pebble app onto your Pebble watch...

Go back into the main app on your mobile device and select Applications.

Choose Google Voice Search.

On your Pebble watch go into Settings and select Quick Launch.

Here is where you can preset the top or bottom button on your Pebble watch to trigger any installed Pebble app.  Select either top or bottom button and then choose AppLauncher as the preset app.

Now, just long press the button you selected to trigger AppLauncher.  When it pops up on your Pebble watch, select Google Voice Search (microphone icon).  This will trigger the app on your mobile device.

When you hear that distinctive "chirp", speak your command.  

Example:  "Play Korn."

I've been using this method for quite awhile now and it works almost flawlessly.  To be honest, it's going to depend on the proximity of your mobile device and background noise, as normal.  I find it comes in very handy.  I don't have to pull out my phone so often and am able to more fully utilize the abilities of my Pebble watch.  

Best of luck.  Also, let me know how you would use this.  Give me some ideas!

Links:

Pebble

AppLauncher

[Accessory] Poetic Slimline Case | Nexus 7

If you're like me, then you probably have a few cases/covers for your devices.  I probably have 3 or 4 just for my Nexus 7.  I recently grabbed the Poetic Slimline case and I couldn't be happier.  It's the perfect combination of sexy, slim, and functional.  I got mine from Amazon for $15.

If you're looking for a great case for your slate, I highly recommend this one.  Despite some early reviews on Amazon reporting poor build quality, I kept checking in noticed how Poetic was not only trying to make it up to their customers, but they were also upgrading the design on this model.

They've done a great job and I'm really impressed with the attention to detail that's gone into it, to date.

Hit the links below for the all the details on the awesome case by Poetic and maybe even pick one up for yourself:-)

Link:  Poetic Slimline case- Nexus 7 (Official Site)

Source:  DroidHorizon

Airdroid 2 Beta Brings New Features

    Those of you that already use Airdroid will be happy to know that Airdroid 2 is now available.  It's still in beta, however, from my own personal experience so far, it works extremely well.  With this new, enhanced version come a variety of great, new features that make it even easier to use.

    For starters, now you can connect to your devices over a mobile network as well.  This is great because now you aren't limited to a wifi network. Just sign in by creating an Airdroid account, if you haven't already, then link your Google account for quicker sign-ins next time.  I can now access my devices from anywhere.

Tip:  You don't have to use a pc.  You can also use your tablet or smartphone as well.

Another new feature the Airdroid team has added is the ability to locate/track your lost devices.  It's simply called "Find Phone" and it's built in to the application. 

Finally, a couple things that I believe current users will love or even convince you to try it out, is the ability to remotely control your device's camera.  Once connected, you can access the camera on your tablet or smartphone to take photos. 

You can now add shortcuts to files and folders as well.

These are just a handful of really useful features Airdroid offers up.  It's extremely reliable, has an intuitive UI, and best of all- it's free.  

I highly recommend this app/utility to any Android user interested in enhancing their experience.  Go check it out;-)

Airdroid (web)

Airdroid (Google Play Store)

iPhone 5 better bring it...

To my surprise, I've been hearing the same comment more & more lately, from iPhone users & diehards. That comment goes much like this: "If Apple doesn't impress me with this new iPhone, I'm seriously considering switching to Android."
This is a bit shocking to me in some ways because most of my friends who own iPhones say they prefer them over Android phones because of the quality familiar interface. Until Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), I didn't dare push back too hard, frankly because they were right about the build quality, no doubt. Interface-wise, well, that's more of a user preference. Not everybody's going to like the same thing, obviously. But with ICS, the whole thing changed. It literally put the user experience between the two operating systems on par (i.e.: slickness, ease of use, uniform controls & look across apps menus). Then, of course, Android released version 4.1 (Jellybean). This has now pushed Android past iOS in the same categories previously mentioned. So now, you better believe I push back. There's no reason not to. Every argument iPhone users have used against Android are now null & void.
Bottom line is, iOS on both the iPhone & iPad (yes, the iPad as well...) are at least a generation or two behind Android. Apple began copying many features from Android & now seems to take sort of a wait and see approach on everything. Not to mention suing everybody that remotely looks or sounds like it could ever compete with them. Pathetic.
So, this all brings me to my point: Are you in the "Apple better bring it" group, too? Do you want Apple to implement into iOS what Android users have been enjoying? Most, if not all, the reasons for choosing an iPhone or iPad over a top-tier Android device with 4.0+ are no longer valid. The Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note, Asus Transformer series, and Google Nexus 7 are proving this. Android is consistent, reliable, innovative, and fun.
Apple will announce their newest iDevice today. No doubt, the geek in me is excited because I love tech. But with Google expected to announce the next generation of Nexus phones very soon, do you think Apple will be able to maintain their user base after today & moving forward?