![]() ![]() The supporting characters are numerous and remarkably well integrated into the storyline, from the impressively well-endowed Mei Sanning, to the imposing exiled sorcerer: Zhuge Liang. Cao Cao’s campaign alone is filled with startling revelations that give weight to many nuances of Liu Bei’s quest. These ties are so strong that the player MUST finish both quests to fully understand the storyline. The relationship of both protagonist/antagonist is unequivocally interconnected. The story therein is not only well scripted, but intricate. Kessen II’s tale is that of personal struggle amid political and military duty. Upon completing Liu Bei’s adventure, the player may then begin another campaign, but this time as Cao Cao in his ultimate pursuit of power. Together they will travel the three kingdoms, gaining allies, making enemies, fighting in epic battles as they rush to the inevitable conclusion. Thus begins Liu Bei’s fantastical quest to save his love, against the wrath of heaven itself. Liu Bei flees from his castle with his childhood friend, Mei Sanniang and sworn brothers, Zhang Fei & Guan Yu. Thanks to the now-smitten Himiko, Cao Cao learns of Dao Chan’s secret and promptly kidnaps her and sets Xu Castle ablaze. This prophecy ignites Cao Cao’s ambition his lust for power would now only be matched by his cruelty. Bequeathed to her by the child emperor, Dian Chan was charged to safe keep the Imperial Seal for a hero worthy of leading the people. Unknown to Liu Bei, his gentle mistress, Diao Chan holds the key to the throne. Unexpectedly, Cao Cao’s fortune is quite the opposite: he has been blessed by the gods, fated to bear the Mandate of Heaven, granting him sovereignty over the land. Liu Bei’s fortune is grim, for the oracle predicts that a woman close to his heart will bring ruin to his kingdom and, ultimately, his downfall. On a whim, Liu Bei summons a foreign priestess, Himiko, to scry their future. The two chat and make merry, learning of Cao Cao’s formidable ambition, and Liu Bei’s happy indulgence in the company of his lover: the dancer, Daio Chan. Indebted to his newfound friend, Liu Bei holds a banquet in celebration of Cao Cao’s arrival. Together you defeat the bandits and drive them from a slightly smoldering Xu Castle. You are eventually saved by the army of Cao Cao (Got Milk?), who miraculously comes to your aid. ![]() Initially, the player assumes the role Liu Bei, the lord of Xu province, fighting a losing battle as your capital is overrun by invaders. The story begins, quite appropriately, on the battlefield. Those unfamiliar with the plethora of RotTK games released over the years will not be at a loss as Kessen II uses only the setting and themes of these classics. Unlike its pre-Tokugawa predecessor, Kessen II’s storyline has been scripted into KOEI’s flagship Romance of the Three Kingdoms series. ![]() Have these promises to the gaming public been fulfilled, and does Kessen II prove to be a worthwhile investment for your gaming dollars? Let’s take a more thorough look at KOEI’s latest wunderkind. The original Kessen was criticized for being little more than an interactive drama, but KOEI promised a much more satisfying gaming experience with Kessen II. Kessen II thrusts the player into a dynamic and cinematic experience that claims to surpass the original in every capacity. Released in Japan last year to numerous accolades and significant financial success, Kessen II has finally been localized for North America and released with little fanfare. Kessen II places the player into the role of one of two would-be rivals embroiled in a bitter war in mythical China. ![]() How much can a man endure for the love of a single woman? How much brutality can a one inflict upon his enemies, his allies, and himself before he loses his soul? How far will heaven bend its favor for the will of the people and their champion? Can true love endure a conflict that would tear a kingdom in twain? These questions and more are asked in KOEI’s long-awaited sequel to one of the PlayStation 2’s most impressive launch titles. ![]()
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![]() ![]() ![]() You can also transfer your chat history from iPhone to Android, and the iOS beta suggests an Android-to-iPhone transfer feature is coming soon. Updates to WhatsApp have made it possible to have end-to-end-encrypted backups and have added the ability to make disappearing chats the default. The app is also testing transfers of chat history when switching between iOS and Android phones and using a single account on four different devices at once. Its developers are continuously adding tweaks to the app's security and privacy features, such as fine-tuned group invitations and controls so that you're always aware who is reading your group chats. The world's most popular stand-alone chat and call app, WhatsApp has used Signal's end-to-end encryption protocol on all messages since 2016. Here's our guide on how to use Telegram.ĭownload Telegram: Android (opens in new tab), iOS (opens in new tab) ![]() You can set messages to self-destruct, share videos and documents and participate in group chats of up to 200,000 users. (Yes, Telegram really does support group chats that large.) However, chats with more than two participants won't be end-to-end encrypted.Ī caveat? Telegram uses its own custom MTProto encryption rather than a more proven system. To get it, you'll have to switch to Secret Chat mode. However, end-to-end encryption is not enabled by default on Telegram. It has grown into a worldwide social-media platform, with huge user groups and broadcasts that let accounts reach millions of followers in an instant. Like Signal and WhatsApp, Telegram lets users link their phone number to a Telegram account to send fast, encrypted messaging over the internet, with client-server encryption for standard chats.īut Telegram is much more than just a messaging service. Here's our guide on how to use Signal.ĭownload Signal: Android (opens in new tab), iOS (opens in new tab)Įnd-to-end encryption isn't enabled by default User-friendliness without compromising on security makes Signal a fantastic option for users looking for an encrypted messaging and calling app. But unlike Facebook, Signal's parent company is a non-profit foundation created by an anarchist cryptographer and one of the founders of WhatsApp.Įase of use and strong, open-source, regularly audited encryption makes Signal a favorite of the security-conscious, with accolades from Edward Snowden and other privacy advocates. Signal's encryption protocol is so strong that WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger use it too. In fact, you can even change phone numbers while keeping Signal account data as long as you're staying on the same device. You can transfer Signal accounts (opens in new tab) from one Android phone to another and from one iOS device to another. Updates to the app have added user-friendly features such as custom wallpapers and animated stickers, and Signal group video chats can now have up to 40 participants.Īll Signal messages can be set to self-destruct after a certain amount of time while a Chrome browser plugin (opens in new tab) lets you use Signal from your desktop as well. You can send text messages, voice calls, group messages, media and attachments to your phone contacts, all without having to mess with PIN codes or special login credentials. ![]() ![]() ![]() It’s easily the best remote desktop solution we’ve seen in terms of value for money when it comes to remotely administering computers.Ĭonnections with RemotePC are secured with TLS v1.2 and AES 256 bit encryption. RemotePC has an excellent Mac desktop client which allows you to easily connect to other PCs, Macs and mobile devices instantly. RemotePCĭespite the name RemotePC isn’t just for Windows PCs. You can check out our full GoToMyPC review for more. You can also try a free trial of GoToMyPC with no credit card needed. There are also Corporate Plans starting from $18.20 per month for large teams needing invoiced billing and more admin controls. If you’re a small business and need to up to control of between 2 to 50 computers, you’ll need to sign-up to the Pro Plan. GoToMyPC is currently offering 35% off GoToMyPC Plans which start at $26.98 per month for Pro plans aimed at teams and $28.60 per month for the Personal Plan aimed at individuals that only need access to one computer. GoToMyPC pricing isn’t the cheapest remote desktop software for Mac but is definitely worth it for the reliability and ease of use it provides. GoToMyPC also has an iOS app which allows you to easily connect to your Mac or PC from your iPhone or iPad. We also like the fact that GoToMyPC allows you to temporarily invite another user into a session which is useful if you need tech support to fix a problem with your Mac or PC. It’s also one of the most secure remote desktop tools we’ve used as it protects each computer connected to it with an individual password so that no one else can access your network except authorized users. GoToMyPC is extremely easy to setup and use and allows you to transfer files between Macs and Windows PCs. GoToMyPC For Mac is suitable for home users, small businesses and corporations as it sets-up everything automatically even if you’re behind a corporate firewall on Mac or PC.Īs a result, GoToMyPC is a particularly popular choice among companies and corporations that allow employees to work from home. GoToMyPC is owned by Citrix which are one of the biggest players in the remote desktop market although the GoToMyPC app is developed and maintained by the LogMeIn brand. GoToMyPC For Macis the best remote desktop software for Mac as it is incredibly easy to use and offers rock solid reliability. Here then is our list of the best remote desktop software for Mac of 2023 in order of ranking. 10 Best Digital Cameras That Can Be Used As Webcams On Mac.6 Best & Securest VPNs For Mac To Work Remotely. ![]() 5 Ways To Access & Control a Mac Remotely.In most cases, this can simply be fixed by lowering the resolution settings to give a much sharper image.Īll the remote desktop solutions reviewed here are compatible with the latest versions of macOS including High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur and Monterey.Īll those that offer Cloud solutions also work on the latest Apple Silicon M1 Macs too. It’s important to be aware that there aren’t any remote desktop apps that are optimized for retina displays on Macs.įor example, if you try to access your Mac remotely with your iPad on maximum resolution settings, the screen may look blurry. Many of them make an excellent alternative to MobaXTerm for Mac which doesn’t exist on macOS and are the best alternatives to Back To My Mac which Apple has now dropped it from macOS. It can be useful in a variety of situations such as screen sharing, working from home, fixing a computer remotely, system administration or network monitoring of computers.Īll the remote desktop apps reviewed here are suitable for connecting from Mac to Mac as well as Mac to PC or from mobile devices such as iPad, iPhone and Android to Mac. Taking control or accessing another PC or Mac computer remotely is also known as Virtual Network Computing (VNC). However, finding software that does this reliably and securely isn’t easy and we found the best remote desktop software for Mac to be GoToMyPCfor its all round ease of use, performance and security. ![]() ![]() If you need to work from home, control, fix or access another computer from your Mac, we’ve taken a look at the very best remote desktop software for Mac in 2023. ![]() ![]() In memory of Judith Ann (Markley) Franks, please visit our floral store. Memorial contributions may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Lawton. ![]() at the Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, where a celebration of life will commence at 12:00 p.m. Judy was preceded in death by her sister, Chris Jackson, and her brothers, Eli Markley, David Markley, Steve Markley and Paul Markley.įamily and friends are invited to visit Friday, October 21, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. Dave Markel (75) of 6202 Gypsy Hill Rd. MARK DAVY OBITUARY Age 78, of Edina Passed away Feb. He was born on December 25, 1948, in Auburn, NY, son of the late Carolina 'Lillia. Judy is survived by her husband, Virgis "Virg" Franks, two sons, Virg Franks and John Franks, one daughter, Toni (Steven) Woodbury four grandchildren, Veronica Woodbury, Megan Franks, Trevor Franks and Kasey Franks, one great-grandchild, Rosalie Grace and two sisters, Jeanette Tiffany and Ruth (Peter) Olson. Netti, 68, of North Charleston, SC, passed away on Wednesday, August 23, 2017. She enjoyed spending her time out in the yard tending her flowers and fish pond. Dave was the husband of Jytte Merkley who passed away from cancer on May 31st 1997 at the age of 47. She appreciated the simple things in life such as her yard and beautiful flower gardens. Betty is survived by her sons, John Jack Richard Meeks (Elizabeth) and James David Meeks (Cheri). A woman of strong faith, Judy was a longtime faithful member of the Faith Baptist Church in Mattawan where she taught Sunday School for over 50 years. 10th St., Indianapolis, with funeral services at 3:00 p.m. She preceded him in death on November 10, 2019. David) Hurtt, Brian Markley, Ruth (Dan) Maki and Karen Markley. Ray married Tonya Lawson on Octoin Lewistown. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Virginia Markley and Barbara (Irvin). He was born on Novemin Chandlerville to Jim and Carol (Wilson) Markley. ![]() Even after her terminal diagnosis, Judy continued to pour out love to everyone and remained positive in her final days. Jimmie Ray Markley Ellisville - Ray Markley, 69, of Ellisville, passed away at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, Novemin Ellisville. She was a dedicated wife and mother and friend to all. Showering those around her with care and love is how Judy lived her life. Judy was born June 25, 1945, in Portage, the daughter of Ralph Curtis Markley and Erlabell (Ellenwood) Markley. Judith Ann Franks, 77, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, October 9, 2022, at her home in Paw Paw. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() This tool can be integrated via Zapier, AppleScript and IFTTT. This way you can stay focused and develop better habits. Qbserve keeps track of what you do on your Mac and provides constant feedback on your productivity. It offers multiple integrations with Zapier, Asana, Basecamp, Bitbucket, Clickup, Github, Insightly, JIRA, Trello, Slack, Xero, Quickbooks, Freshbooks and several free project management tools. It helps you track time spent on work so that you can bill by the hour. ![]() You can keep track of all projects and all team members from its dashboard, along with access to single projects or tasks of individual team members. No Integration with any other app PricingĮverHour is a web-based time tracking tool with reporting, budgeting, invoicing and payroll management features. Effortless time tracking from any device.It also offers activity level tracking and full privacy for freelancers like unclear screenshots, etc. It is made for freelancers, remote teams and individuals for tracking time. TopTracker is developed by Toptal, a limited network of freelance developers, designers and finance professionals. Tools- Zapier, Asana, Basecamp, Evernote, Github, WordPress, Gmail, Google Drive and calendar, Jira, Trello, Visual Studio, DevDocs, Teamweek, Todoist, Intercom and many more Pricing Toggl can be integrated with extra 100+ tools for project management, app development, visual collaboration and many more. Its reporting features offer you with a simple way to analyze data. It lets users track the time spent on projects and analyze productivity. I am excited to help driving ranges recreate the fun and social experience for which Topgolf is so popularly known,” Sharpe said.Toggl is an online tracking tool for freelancers, professionals, and small companies. “Having spent many years working in the golf industry, I instantly recognized the incredible potential of Toptracer Range, not only for its advanced technology but for the power of the Topgolf brand. Most recently, Ben has been working as a consultant for Topgolf on new business opportunities. He also previously served as CEO of Lyle & Scott, repositioning the business from a knitwear manufacturer to one of the leading fashion labels in the UK and Scandinavia. He became CEO in 2014 and started the turnaround strategy, bringing in a new executive team before returning home to the UK in 2015. In 2012, he became Global President of Adidas Golf, delivering a record year in terms of sales and profit. ![]() During that time, he increased the business from $100 million to $250 million in six years, making the region the best-performing one in the group. Prior to joining Topgolf, Sharpe spent nine years at TaylorMade-adidas Golf, starting as the Vice President of the EMEA/Pacific region. Additionally, Toptracer continues to enrich the experience of watching golf on TV during some of the biggest tournaments in the world, including The Open Championship and Ryder Cup. Toptracer Range is being installed in a growing number of driving ranges around the world. Topgolf has leveraged the technology for its pop-up social experience Topgolf Crush, game play integration at several Topgolf venues around the country, and it is licensing Toptracer Range to driving ranges and tournament directors for a more interactive golf experience. The dynamic technology tracks the flight of a golf ball, displays its path in video and analyzes every shot hit. Toptracer is transforming the game of golf on the range, on the course, on television and even in major sports stadiums. “Ben brings rich experience and strong connections within the golf industry, and he is skilled at leading businesses through exponential growth.” “Topgolf is proud to have a proven leader such as Ben join the executive team,” said Berle. Sharpe will serve as President of the Toptracer Range division, which is based in London and overseen by TEG CEO Dolf Berle. Topgolf® Entertainment Group (TEG) has hired former TaylorMade Golf Company CEO Ben Sharpe to expand its global footprint of driving ranges that license its Toptracer Range technology. ![]() ![]() More research will need to be done in healthy, weight-training populations to determine if chromium is useful in improving body composition.ġ) Mertz, W., (1969), Chromium occurrence and function in biological systems, Physiological Reviews, pages unknownĢ) Author Unkown, (2006) Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium, Federal Register: Department of Labor, 10100-10385 3) Higdon, J., (2001) Chromium, Micronutrient Information Center,Ĥ) Richard, A., (1991), Dietary Chromium Intake, Biological Trace Element Reseach, 117-121ĥ) Kozlovsky, A., (1986) Effects of diets high in simple sugars on urinary chromium losses. The benefits cannot be proven to consistently occur with supplementation, but when they do appear, there seems to be indications that improved insulin tolerance can lead to better nutrient-shuttling to cells – which may lead to improved fat loss and muscle gain. Women in particular (especially those that are going/have gone through menopause, are more commonly prone to have problems with their bones – oestrogen is a key compound in regulating bone density – so chromium supplementation is more likely to be of use to them. Other populations of note are those under stress/suffering from illness that could cause a deficiency. Such populations are likely to be seen in first world countries (those that are probably most likely to be interested in supplementation) as these populations are more likely to have high-sugar diets.įor instance, a large portion of my diet is fast food (IIFYM) – I would probably be a better candidate for supplementation with chromium. I suspect that populations deficient in the supplement will receive the most benefits (as with most supplements). The evidence for supplementing with chromium producing any benefits appears to be mixed – sometimes good results are seen and sometimes nothing is seen at all. Evidence for the usefulness of this is mixed, however. It is thought that the increase in metabolic health can assist in weight loss, muscle growth and performance. (13)īodybuilders and athletes have been known to take chromium picolinate to enhance performance and increase energy. (12) Antacids (including calcium carbonate) interfere with the absorption of chromium. Vitamin C and niacin assists in its absorption. The Office of Dietary Supplements estimates very little of our dietary chromium (0.4 to 2.5) percent actually finds its way into the bloodstream. As athletes, we are usually on some sort of anti-inflammatory medicine ( DOMS– am I right?), so this is especially relevant. The main interaction of note is the interactions with prostaglandin inhibitors (those that reduce inflammation such as aspirin or ibuprofen)(11). To ensure your safety it is highly recommended that you speak to your doctor. (10)Ĭhromium supplementation can have interactions with a few key compounds – these interactions can be mildly harmful or they may just impair/increase the absorption of chromium. To reiterate how safe it can be – the estimated safe end range has been established to be as high as 200 micrograms. Though these are quite shocking, this isn’t too much to worry about as the side effects are rare and are more seen with the toxic form seen in industrial use (i.e. Taking excessive chromium supplements (in addition to having a diet rich in chromium) can lead to stomach problems and low blood sugar (9) . Some researchers contend the usefulness in chromium however, and the evidence appears to be mixed. The Chromium mineral can slow the loss of calcium, and thus might be useful for women during menopause. It has been stated that even mild deficiencies of chromium can produce problems in blood sugar metabolism and long term glucose tolerance. Other reasons for chromium deficiency can be illness, over-training, pregnancy and stress. It is thought that diets high in sugar (>35% of calories) can increase chromium excretion in the urine (5). population is mildly deficient in chromium. ![]() ![]() ![]() Once again, the Malware removal module has gotten better but isn’t where it could be. I’ve had much better luck with CoreCode’s MacUpdater, which can be purchased for $14.99 for a single user license and has been able to find just about every conceivable update for my Mac’s applications given its single-minded focus to this task as well as robust updates along the way. Once again, the Updater module located updates to the handy MacTracker utility and GraphicConverter editing program, but missed an update to Google Chrome, which was somewhat worrying. My previous version of this review noted that the Updater module had missed significant updates to Zoom and Mozilla’s Firefox browser, both of which became vital to users during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. While well-intentioned and focused as marketing and selling points, the Updater function seems to only locate a smattering of available application updates, and it’s almost anyone’s guess as to what it will see and what will be glossed over. Unfortunately, CleanMyMac X has a couple of modules that are the app’s greatest hurdles. ![]() IDG The Updater and Malware Removal features The System Junk module after locating 7.41 gigabytes of extraneous files. The modules are Smart Scan, System Junk, Mail Attachments, Trash Bins, Malware Removal, Privacy, Optimization, Maintenance, Uninstaller, Updater, Extensions, Space Lens, Large & Old Files, and Shredder. ![]() The catch-all utility offers an assortment of modules with its core focus centered around identifying and cleaning out gigabytes upon gigabytes of unused system garbage. There’s also a possibility that the developer overextended themselves trying to be everything to everyone, and the result is that some features aren’t as good as others, making you wonder about the value of the total app.ĬleanMyMac X is routinely updated (in November 2022 version 4.12 brought Ventura support, and a February 2023 update added the ability to remove Xcode images and a battery drain alert) and well cared for by its developer, MacPaw, but it does seem to be in danger of trying to do too much. With Mac utilities, a multifaceted approach that offers several base functions can be excellent. Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() You can also order the Wheelie Vehicle if you so choose!įinally: Your MIGHTY METER! This sucker charges as you shoot enemies and rack up your combo during missions. Your order will show up in the midst of battle or in the desert. From here, you can activate Co-op, change in game options, quit the level, and ORDER AMMUNITION! That’s right, if you’re running low on shotgun shells, or Tesla Shots, simply open up the app, pay the required amount, and press A. You have a limited amount of Energy that doesn’t increase as you play the game, which means you’ll have to really think about which abilities you pick.įourth: Insta-Ammo! When you pause your game, a mechanical arm is shown holding a phone with several apps. These are extra enhancements to Mighty Goose that allow you more coins, more ammunition for your found guns, and allow you to charge your Mighty Meter by dodging. You’ll get secondary weapons that create fiery pillars near enemies, weapons that throw explosives, and more! These weapons are rechargeable and their recharge time is available when selecting them, so you can fit them into your strategy! Another helpful tool in your arsenal, more of these will be unlocked as you play through the game. If you have a friend, or younger brother, you can hand them a controller and have some Co-operative fun as Player 2 takes control of your partner character! These helpful animals will offer you a variety of abilities from close range slicing attacks, to shooting explosive eggs from their bums. You can pick from a variety of partners that you unlock throughout the game. There are a lot of explosions and a lot of ways to create those explosions:įirst: Your Partner. There really is no thread to follow from beginning to end, just explosions, shooting things, calling in supply crates with ammo, and more explosions -Goose Scream- *Constant Screaming* You also have this character in your ear who will stop you every once in a while to check in. Each level has an overarching objective to complete such as ‘rescue this character’ or ‘survive this tournament’ which will branch off as you go through the level. There is no plot to follow, and no real explanation for the title character’s mindless slaughter of several alien races, a group of necromancers, and some big space baddie. ![]() Race against time, get a big combo, and try not to die as you aim for the best rank in each mission during this explosive adventure! Because EXPLOSIONS! This is my BOOM stick, this is my bird! This one makes room, this one’s absurd! What do you get when you add an arm cannon that can shoot blasts of energy, a shot gun, a missile launcher, a machine gun, a Tesla Cannon, several vehicles meant for blowing things up, and one confused bird that screams? You get Mighty Goose! Don the armor, grab your blaster, and buckle up because the Goose is loose and he’s going to blow up a lot of stuff to get to where he’s going. ![]() ![]() ![]() CCleaner has had 2 updates within the past 6 months. If your friend got onto your computer and visited a bunch of adult sites, then I would recommend something like OnyX, doing ALL the cleaning and maintenance aspects and rebooting, perhaps followed by a Disk Utility Erase free space.ĬCleaner beta is out for OS X, used on PC's and combines cleaning and scrubbing of the drive if setup correctly. Download CCleaner for Windows to keep your PC running smoothly with simple and advanced tools for all level of users. You can read on this post Top 5 Mac cleaner reviews to find out what is the best Mac cleaner for your Macbook, iMac or Mac mini to run more smoothly. Most of those cleaning programs are junk, especially MacKeeper. Keeping Software Updated and run a web browser check to make sure the plug-ins are current.įor Safari and Flash, this check is more accurate Best Mac Cleaners CleanMyMac X Best Cleaner to Speed Up Your Mac Disk Drill Clean Up Tool Best Free Mac Cleaner DaisyDisk Best for Disk Space Analyzing Comparison of the Best Mac Cleaner Tools 1. 6 When the rainbow is seen in the sky, it Code Direct Python Interactive Coding: Lifetime Access for PC, Mac, Android, & iOS 67 OFF sale: save 78. open( image ), lang'eng') 6 print( text ) 7 8. It changes the global defaults so the adjustments will be 23 de nov. There are certain cases where's it's needed to free up a large spaces on the drive, but not something everyone has to do.įar as other Mac maintainence, there really isn't any except to backup one's files regularly. All you need to make your Mac feel new again is one of the top 10 best free Mac cleaners described in this article. The size is the height of the font in pixels. ![]() D&D Companion App on Windows PC or MAC computer without and kill dragons. ![]() Mac's don't need defragging as OS X automatically writes 2Gb or below sized files to one contiguous space on the drive. Best DnD apps you should use free & paid DnD Beyond (Free) DMDJ (4. ![]() ![]() This feature is at the experimental stage in Android Studio and generally recommended for advanced developers. It has all the basic requirements already in place to enable an app to interface with the NDK.Īs mentioned earlier, the strength of the NDK lies in its ability to reuse existing, time-tested and powerful C/C++ libraries. This is already taken care of in the sample project so just reuse the sample and set it as a starting point for a project. Normally the project needs to be setup manually and the native code built for each platform. Currently, the NDK supports the ARMEABI (default), MIPS, and x86 architectures. This means it must be compiled for each platform you want it to run on.Įach ABI corresponds to a target architecture, defining how an app’s native code should behave or interact with the system during runtime. When the app interacts with native code, it must support different CPU architectures. Here’s hello-jni running on my Asus Zenfone which uses an Intel or x86 Application Binary Interface (ABI). Let’s build and run the project on an emulator or export an APK to test on a device. For a more detailed discussion on the JNI, read the JNI articles from the Android Developer website. Native code is governed by the same sandbox and security rules as Java code so the app will not have full unrestricted access to hardware. The C/C++ code is able to call Java code, including the standard Android libraries, and the Java code is able to call native functions defined in C/C++ code. Inside the project is a folder named jni which will hold all the native C or C++ source code of the app. The NDK is part of the Android framework while the JNI is available to any Java application, not just Android apps. The JNI and the NDK work together to bring native support to Android apps. Why is it called HelloJNI and not HelloNDK? What is ‘JNI’ and how does it differ from the ‘NDK’? The ‘Java Native Interface’ is a framework that enables Java applications to interact with native code. You might have noticed what appears to be a discrepancy in the project’s name. Click Next to edit the app name and project location, then click Finish.Īfter the code has loaded and Gradle has synced, let’s take a look at the resulting project structure. Choose Hello JNI from the filtered list under the Ndk category. Select Import an Android code sample and type hello in the search box to filter the list. This collection of samples has better compatibility with the latest version of Android Studio. These NDK samples from GitHub can also be downloaded or cloned directly. Instead we’ll import samples that work from the welcome screen. The NDK package folder contains samples but they don’t seem to work out of the box in Android Studio without extra configuration. Let’s run a test project to see if the NDK installation works. You can put the extracted package anywhere you want, but remember this location as you will need it later. Download the appropriate NDK package for your platform and follow the installation instructions. This saves some time because of the smaller download size (<.5 GB) but will need some setting up. The second way is to download the NDK manually from the NDK Downloads page. This is a large download (~1GB) so be sure to have a good internet connection and/or patience. The first and easiest is the automatic installation option in the SDK Tools tab. NDK PackageĪndroid Studio only includes the default tools and SDK, so download and install the NDK package separately. ![]() If you don’t have it already, download Android Studio, the official IDE from Google. You should never base your decision on your preferred language even if you are an expert in C or C++. ![]() Make sure to balance the pros and cons of using the NDK before deciding if it’s worth the extra complexity. This means you can leverage a large collection of native code libraries available online. Another good use case is reusing existing libraries written in C/C++. This includes computationally intensive apps like games, game engines, signal processing and physics simulations. The previous statements may sound discouraging but there are good use cases for the NDK. What the NDK guarantees is an increase in app complexity and connectivity from interfacing with native code. Using the NDK is generally not recommended because apps may experience a performance hit, suffer from compatibility issues, be harder to debug, and reduce flexibility. The NDK is a toolset that enables the development of Android apps using C, C++ and other native code languages, compiling code into applications that can run on Android devices. ![]() |