New Samsung Design Chief Poached From Jony Ive’s Old Firm
Posted: January 17, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Sony Leave a commentIn the imitation is the greatest form of flattery department, Samsung has hired the former CEO of a design firm founded by Apple’s design wizard Jony Ive. 9to5google.com says Lee Don-tae will oversee all Samsung gadget design, perhaps ditching the cheap looking plastic smartphone cases for something more Apple like.
After dropping prices as a Christmas promotion, Microsoft is again cutting the Xbox One back to $349. Techcrunch.com reports that Redmond hopes to outsell the Sony PS4 again, which they did in both November and December with the lower price. Since the price went back up the first of the month, PS4 once again outsold the Xbox.
Some patents take a while to get into devices, and others never see the light of day. Mac rumors.com says Apple has patented a pop up home button for iPhones and iPads that can work as a joy stick for gaming. It would still retain its normal functions like Touch ID.
California Grocery Stores Get Apple Pay
Posted: January 15, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple Pay, Chrome, Foodmaxx, Google, Lucky, Private browsing, Save Mart, Simply Prepaid, T-Mobile Leave a commentApple Pay continues to spread. Macrumors.com says Save Mart has rolled it out at all 217 of its California and Nevada stores, including Lucky and Foodmaxx.
Always looking for ways to disrupt the bigger phone companies, T-Mobile has announced ‘Simply Prepaid.’ Gigaom.com reports it starts at $40, and you just pay for the 4G LTE data you expect to use. If you go over, you are just cut back to 3G the rest of the month.
Google just patented a way to activate private browsing on desktops and mobile. Thenextweb.com says it can be triggered by a secure login box or request for credit information. The Chrome browser should sport it soon.
Coffee Joining The Icemaker & Water in Your Fridge Door
Posted: January 14, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 3DS XL, Cafe French Door, Gamestop, GE, Kuerig, Lumia, Microsoft, Nintendo Leave a commentIf you need a new fridge, would love to reclaim counter space, but need your Kuerig, GE has a deal for you. Gizmodo.com says the Cafe French Door fridge will have a Kuerig built into the door, starting this fall. Expect to drop $3300!
Microsoft refuses to walk away from smartphones. Thenextweb.com reports that they introduced two low end Lumia phones today, the 435 and 532. Both will roll out in Europe and Asia first, starting in February.
Nintendo has confirmed the release of their latest handheld system, the 3DS XL for February 13th. Arstechnica.com says it will be just under $200, and Gamestop is taking preorders today.
MacBook Air Will Gain An Inch But Lose Girth
Posted: January 13, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Automatic, Google Play, MacBook Air, Nest, ODB port, USB type C Leave a commentApple will reportedly release a 12 inch Macbook Air before April. Geek.com says it will replace the 11 inch model, and..as rumored…will be even slimmer and drop all ports but a USB type C for charging and other connections.
You can already turn your Nest thermostat from ‘away’ to heating from your phone, but engadget.com reports Automatic has a car tracker that plugs into the ODB port of your car to do it hands free. It’s $100. The dongle also tracks your driving and helps save fuel.
According to appFigures, Google Play passed up Apple’s App Store in the number of new apps for the first time in 2014. Techcrunch.com says Google Play also now has more developers building its apps…388,000 to Apple’s 282,000.
The Internet of Things & Your Local Watering Hole
Posted: January 11, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Watch, Beer, iKeg, Internet of things, Moto 360, Orbis, Samsung, Steady Serve, Tizen Leave a commentThe internet of things hits the local pub. Geekwire.com says Steady Serve technologies showed the iKeg at CES this week. It lets bartenders know how much beer is left in a keg. No more lifting and shaking 100 pound kegs!
9to5google.com reports that Samsung will rollout a round faced smartwatch at Mobile World Congress next month. It’s code named Orbis, and runs Samsung’s Tizen system, not Android, and is aimed ‘squarely’ at Motorola’s Moto 360.
Even though they love to hate each other, Samsung and Apple are still partners. Macrumors.com says Samsung will supply the processor, RAM, flash memory, and other internals for the upcoming Apple Watch.
Apple’s HomeKit Won’t Need Apple TV- Except to Use Siri
Posted: January 10, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, CarPlay, GoPro, Harman, Homekit, Integrated Essentials Cockpit, Siri Leave a comment
More is out about Apple’s Home Kit. The good news is, it won’t need Apple TV for a hub. Cnet.com says the downside is that it needs Apple TV to use Siri to control it from outside your network. That may be temporary, according to Homekit partners.
Bgr.com reports that GoPro’s Hero 4 cameras are about to get better. The Silver and Black editions are getting a firmware upgrade in a couple months that auto converts time lapses into videos, and gives you burst mode and auto rotate.
Stereo maker Harman has rolled out a touchscreen free Carplay competitor called Integrated Essentials Cockpit. 9to5mac.com says It puts the controls on your steering wheel, and the display is centered between the speedometer and tachometer. So far, no word on what car makers may use it.
LG One Ups Samsung With Two Edge Screens
Posted: January 8, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Edge screen, GoPro, HTC, LG, Nest, RE, Samsung, Sensibo Leave a commentAnother player besides Samsung is getting into the 2nd edge screen field. Bgr.com says LG is showing a handset with TWO edge screens at CES, in addition to a curved main screen.
Techcrunch.com reports that for those with window air conditioners, that can’t use a Nest, startup Sensibo has a unit that attaches to your non-central air so you can control it from your smartphone. It starts at $159.
HTC’s RE action camera can now stream live footage to YouTube. Theverge.com says for now, the software update is only for Android, with iOS streaming coming later. Unlike GoPro, it does need to be connected to your phone, but even the $199 model can do it.
Moto Relaunches Smartphone Line in China
Posted: January 7, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: iPhone 6, LG, Moto G, Moto X, Motorola, Reach 79, Signal Strength, Twin Wash Leave a commentMotorola is returning to China next month. 9to5google.com says after being acquired by Lenovo, they’ll begin selling the Moto X, Moto X Pro, and Moto G. The X Pro is basically the same as a Nexus 6.
Smarter appliances are coming on fast, and LG has rolled out the Twin Wash washer. Geekwire.com reports it sports a regular front load washer, and a mini one in the pedestal base, so you can do 2 loads at once!
A lot of iPhone cases add battery life, but Reach 79 has rolled out one for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus that doubles signal strength. Macrumors.com says they’re $60 and $70 respectively, and will help battery life since the phone won’t have to work as hard getting a signal.
Apple Now Selling Unlocked, SIM-less iPhone 6 in the US
Posted: January 6, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android TV, Apple, Bravia, Canvio, Google 'Cast, SIM, Sony, Toshiba, Unlocked Leave a commentApple is starting to sell unlocked iPhone 6 and 6 Plus without SIMs in the US. Techcrunch.com says there’s no difference in pricing…the 6 will start at $649 and the Plus at $749 unlocked and SIM free.
Thenextweb.com reports that all Sony 2015 Bravia TVs will run on the Android TV system. This means they will all be able to use Google’s new ‘cast’ technology for wireless music streaming.
Toshiba has announced that their newest Canvio portable hard drives will stash up to 3 terabytes of your stuff. Engadget.com says to expect to pay a bit more than for similar desktop drives.
Samsung Shows Galaxy S6 to Vendors
Posted: January 5, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Belkin, Galaxy S6, Samsung, Seagate, WeMo Leave a commentSamsung is showing the new Galaxy S6 at CES, but only to select partners. 9to5google.com says SamMobile indicates it will be revealed to carriers and accessory makers. They will probably unveil it to all at Mobile World Congress next month.
According to gigaom.com, Belkin is showing 4 new sensors to its WeMo line of connected home products this week. Door and window sensors, a keychain proximity sensor, and smoke alarm sensor.
Drive maker Seagate is showing off new ultra-slim drives. Engadget.com reports that the portable 500 Gig Model 7 is 7 millimeters thick, and will be $100.
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