Android

Lonely Planet meets Layar: bridging the print-digital divide

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We’re experimenting with just that in partnership with Layar, a free augmented reality app available on Apple iOS and Android devices. To start, we’ve enhanced all 42 Lonely Planet European city guidebooks (city guides, pocket city guides and Discover city guides) to work with the Layar app. Simply by scanning the cover through the app, travelers can enjoy live weather feeds, exclusive videos and photos, transport planners, activity ideas and hundreds of bookable hotel and tour listings – all for free. All you need is a book and a phone.

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Android Makes Up Nearly 80% of Global Smartphone Shipments

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There is no end in sight to the Android versus iPhone debate, but while we can all argue over the pros and cons of each, the numbers don't lie: Android is still the most popular operating system in the world.

According to data from market intelligence firm IDC, Android's dominance in the mobile market is still growing. In 2013, Android devices comprised 78.6% of global smartphone unit shipments — up from 69% in 2012. Compare that to iOS, which made up only 15.2% of smartphone shipments in 2013 (down from 18.7% in 2012).

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Finally, an Alternative to the Much-Hated QR Code

Marketers have been trying to make print and outdoor ads interactive for years, but despite their efforts, consumers are largely rejecting QR Codes. Can a new technology called Clickable Paper reboot those efforts?

Imaging and electronics company Ricoh introduced Clickable Paper two years ago, but the company just introduced iOS and Android apps in the United States late last year. (A similar app has been available in Japan since 2012.)

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Introducing Word Lens

See the world in your language. No network delay, no roaming fees, and no reception problems. Word Lens is a dictionary -- evolved. It looks up words for you, and shows them in context.

Word Lens has its limits. The translation will have mistakes, and may be hard to understand, but it usually gets the point across. If a translation fails, there is a way to manually look up words by typing them in. Word Lens does not read very stylized fonts, handwriting, or cursive. Try it, and tell us what you think!

Download now