New Way to Prevent Picture Shake from Apple
Posted: February 14, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Camera, Fraud Prevention, Google, iPhone, Mattel, View Master, Visa Leave a commentThe smartphone camera wars continue to push the envelope in picture taking. Apple has patented a tech called ‘Mirror Tilt Actuation’ for future iPhones. Bgr.com says it will actually tilt the tiny mirror in the camera assembly on future iPhones, to compensate for jitters and hand movement as you shoot that crucial selfie.
Visa is working with a service called Mobile Location Confirmation to use real time data from smartphones, to prevent fraud and so you don’t have to call your bank to let them know you’re traveling…especially out of the country. 9to5google.com reports that the service will be optional though, so check with your own card provider.
Google has partnered with Mattel to bring the venerable View Master into the 21st century. Thenextweb.com says instead of a plastic viewer and stereoscopic round cardboard, it works on Android smartphones, and provides 360 degree, 3D views. It’s out this fall, and $29.99…phone not included!
Wireless Charging Coming with Samsung Galaxy S6?
Posted: February 12, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Discount, Facebook, Fire TV, Galaxy S6, HDMI Stick, Legacy Contact, Samsung, Sling TV, Wireless charging Leave a commentAnother leak about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6, and this one’s a biggie. Bgr.com picked up a story from Korean site Naver that says the S6 and S6 Edge will come with support for wireless charging that’s compatible with many existing wireless charging systems.
Amazon has announced that Sling TV is now supported by its Fire TV set top box and HDMI stick. TechCrunch.com reports that you can get a fat hardware discount, too…if you prepay for 3 months of Sling, get $50 off the $100 price of Fire TV or the Stick for free!
You probably have a few Facebook friends’ accounts that are still out there, even though they’ve left this mortal coil. Thenextweb.com reports that Facebook is introducing a Legacy Contact people can designate to continue limited aspects of the account. It’s rolling out in the US now.
Samsung Teases ‘The Future of Cameras’ in Galaxy S6
Posted: February 11, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Camera, Galaxy S6, Google, Mass transit, OLED, Samsung, Urban Engines Leave a commentWe don’t know if it’s dual main cameras or other features, but Samsung says the upcoming Galaxy S6 will have no less than ‘the future of cameras.’ The verge.com says it will do all the thinking for users, who will need only to press the shutter button for great shots. The S6 will be shown March 1st.
OLED screens have been used in some smartphones for years, but never on this scale. Reuters.com reports that Samsung is spending 3.6 billion on building organic light emitting diode screens…mainly for smartphones and tablets, including those of competitors.
Getting around in San Francisco and other major cities can be tough to say the least. Some map apps help, but now, engadget.com reports that the Urban Engines app is out for Android and iOS. Built by former googlers, it works without mobile data and uses augmented reality.
Improved Touch ID & More Secure Apple Pay on Next iPhone
Posted: February 10, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple Pay, iPad Mini, iPhone, Jet Bleu, Locket, ScreenPop, Touch ID Leave a commentThe next generation iPhone will have an upgraded Touch ID, that will be more accurate and have a safer Apple Pay experience. Mac rumors.com cites generally reliable KGI Securities, which also says to expect the new Apple hero phone third quarter.
Speaking of Apple Pay, Jet Blue will be the first to use the system for in-flight purchases. Gigaom.com reports flight attendants will use iPad Minis with card readers, so those without Apple Pay can buy an adult beverage or meal with an old fashioned credit card.
The makers of Locket, the mobile app that brings personalized news and other stories to Android lock screens, are out with ScreenPop. Techcrunch.com says the app lets users send pictures, doodles, emoji, and more from lock screens. An iOS version is in the works.
A ‘Sinister’ Version of the Galaxy Edge
Posted: February 9, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, ControlAir, Edge, EyeSight Camera, Finger Control, Galaxy S6, Mac, Microsoft, Playstation 4, Samsung, Xbox One Leave a commentMore pictures have leaked out of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6, and they show 3 different models. 9to5google.com reports that besides the ‘regular’ S6, there appear to be two Galaxy Edge models. Earlier reports had an Edge with two side screens, but it appears that actually there will be both right and left handed models. Using the edge screen by leftys would otherwise require using the phone upside down! Of course, we won’t really know until Samsung releases them. The phones are still expected to roll out March 1st at Mobile World Congress.
Microsoft just dropped the first big update of the year to the Xbox One. Geekwire.com says it includes a Game Hubs feature, that pulls together game clips, playing tips, leaderboards, and info about friends. Redmond’s idea is to basically create a social network around individual games on the Xbox, with the hope that adding this plus their price cut will help them catch up to the Playstation 4 in sales.
While the venerable keyboard and mouse still rule computer inputs, and voice control is still not ready for prime time, there’s a new app at the Apple App Store that lets you use fingers in thin air. Engadget.com reports that ControlAir works with media apps like iTunes, Spotify, and more. You still have to open the app and start the music or video, but you can stop, start, and mute from across the room. The app uses your EyeSight camera.
Ubuntu Smartphone On The Way
Posted: February 7, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, BQ, Cortana, Elite Reviewers, Google Maps, iOS, Local Guide, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Ubuntu, Yelp Leave a commentAs if the mobile world needed another operating system, and that Android and iOS didn’t dominate the landscape, there’s a smartphone running geek favorite Ubuntu coming out from Spanish maker BQ. It will roll out in Europe with a yet to be announced web only flash sale, tipped on the BQ and Ubuntu Twitter feed and Facebook accounts, according to thenextweb.com. The $195 smartphone has a 4.5 inch screen and dual SIM card slots.
Microsoft Office is going to have an assistant again…and not the annoying paperclip. The verge.com says Microsoft is testing a Work Assistant app that uses Cortana, to open, edit, and share documents using voice commands and Cortana. If it works as planned, the Cortana-based assistant will be particularly helpful on mobile versions of Windows, Android, and iOS.
Google Maps for Android has added a Local Guide, which rivals Yelp’s Elite Reviewers. It is just about to be officially rolled out, but you can get it over at bgr.com and download it now. BGR also has a link for you to sign up as a Local Guide reviewer.
A Smart ‘Swatch’ is Coming
Posted: February 5, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple Watch, Chromecast, Google, HeartThis, iPhone, Shopping, Swatch Leave a commentOn the heels of the imminent Apple Watch, another smart watch is on the way…Swatch will release one in around 90 days that will communicate over the web without having to be charged. 9to5google.com says it will have mobile payment capability and play well with Windows and Android.
Shop ‘till you drop on your iPhone with one app. Techcrunch.com reports that HeartThis lets you shop over 330 stores on one app. After a soft introduction in November, it’s officially being demo’ed at StartX today. Did we mention 330 different stores?
Google’s Chromecast has hit the ten million mark, according to geekwire.com. Google says in 2014, Chromecast was the #1 streaming media device in the US.
Sprint Adds An Apple Bundle For Life Deal
Posted: February 4, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Encrypted, Flash Drive, For Life, Galaxy S6, iPad Mini, iPhone 6, Samsung, Sprint, Toshiba Leave a commentIf you’re big on Apple, and due for an upgrade, Check out Sprint. Engadget.com says an addition to their For Life deals gets you an iPhone 6, an LTE iPad Mini 3, and service for $100 a month. That’s $17 less than separately.
With the Samsung Galaxy S6 due to roll out March 1st, new big leaks that include pictures show a round edged metal chassis like the iPhone 6. Bgr.com reports that It will feature a smaller, thinner battery and an Apple Pay rival.
For transporting most sensitive files, or offsite storage, Toshiba has released a hardware encrypted flash drive, with physical buttons to key in a passcode. Betanews.com says it comes in 4 to 32 gig sizes, and costs from $95 to $200.
Motorola Makes Some Strong Smartphone Gains
Posted: February 3, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple, Google, Lenovo, Motorola, Nest, Radio Shack, Samsung, Sprint Leave a commentThey’re not up there with the big boys like Apple and Samsung, but Motorola did sell 10 million smartphones last quarter. 9to5google.com says that’s up 118 percent! Lenovo says the division will be profitable in a year and a half.
Apparently, Sprint isn’t the only company interested in some of Radio Shack’s 4000 locations. According to gigaom.com, Amazon is looking at dipping its toe into brick and mortar retail. It could show off it’s mobile and living room gadgets with the locations, which could also serve as a physical pick up and drop off for packages.
Citing 3 studies, Google’s Nest claims the learning thermostat pays for itself in less than 2 years with savings on heating and cooling. TechCrunch says heating costs dropped by an average 10-12 percent, cooling by 15 percent.
Upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6 Supports Virtual Reality Gear VR
Posted: February 1, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: cancer, Galaxy S6, Gear VR, Google X, iPad Pro, Nanoparticles, Samsung, Synthetic Skin Leave a commentLeaked schematics of Samsung’s Galaxy S6 show that their next flagship smartphone with include support for Samsung’s Gear VR virtual reality headset, and the phone’s speaker moves to the bottom. Bgr.com reports that the handset should be slightly bigger but slimmer than the S5.
More information is out about the upcoming iPad Pro. Macrumors.com says a French site has spotted a photo of a case. It has cutouts at the bottom that indicate the tablet will have the rumored stereo speakers, and a screen between 12.2 and 12.9 inches.
Last fall, we reported that Google was working on magnetic nanoparticles that would seek out cancer cells in the bloodstream and report back to a smart wristband. Now theverge.com reports that the advanced Google X division also using synthetic skin to develop the technology, which allows them to do the research without doing it on actual people.
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