Could Samsung Be Thinking of Releasing a 2 Line Galaxy S6?
Posted: April 8, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Drones, Galaxy S6 Duo, iOS, Pictures from videos, Samsung, Sim cards, Taplet Leave a commentPictures have showed up online of a prototype duel sim card Samsung Galaxy S6. Dubbed the Duo, cnet.com reports it would allow for 2 phone numbers…business and personal, or for people who travel overseas frequently. No word on it’s possible release.
Thenextweb.com says an app called Taplet is out for iOS…it extracts still pictures from your videos. You can even upload GoPro or Snapchat footage to your phone and pick HD images. It’s free at the App Store.
Engineers at the University of Zurich in Switzerland have developed a system that automatically uprights drones and finds them a place to land, avoiding crashes. According to engadget.com, it even works in constrained areas and indoors.
Plenty of Apps For Apple Watch
Posted: April 7, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple Watch, apps, Big rig, Daimler, G4, hybrid, LG, Mercedes-Benz, Solar Panels Leave a commentIn a vote of confidence about the imminent Apple Watch, geekwire.com reports that developers submitted over 1000 apps to run on the smart watch in the first 4 days they could be. The watch becomes available April 24th.
Just 4 days after that, on the 28th, LG will roll out it’s G4 smartphone at an event. According to theverge.com, it will feature a new camera with an f 1.8 lens, that shoots much better in low light.
Daimler Trucks, a division of the company that makes Mercedes-Benz cars, has a prototype Freightliner big rig that doubles the 6 mpg of normal rigs. Engadget.com says it uses a hybrid diesel/electric power plant, and has solar panels on the roof of the trailer. No word on when it might hit the market.
Motorola Testing Next Gen Moto 360 ‘Smelt’
Posted: April 5, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: emoji, Internal knowledge, Moto 360, Motorola, Search Engines, Skype, Skype Qik, smart watch, Transactive memory Leave a commentMotorola is testing a possible successor to the Moto 360 smart watch. 9to5google.com says it’s code named Smelt (the present watch was ‘Minnow’.) The prototype is running Android 5.1, and has 360×360 screen resolution. The prototype looks to have a different case, and is rumored to be released in September.
Thenextweb.com reports that Microsoft has announced updates to the Skype and Skype Qik apps. Both get a new layout, 8 new video effects, support for 12 new languages, and most importantly…more emoji!
Sad news for netizens…the internet doesn’t make you smarter, you only think it does! According to arstechnica.com, research from Yale published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology shows that we are blurring the boundary between our own internal knowledge, and material easily looked up with search engines. Transactive memory was already known when people share information and memories between roommates, family, and the like…now we can add the computer to the equation.
Next iPhone Will Run on Samsung Processors…Again
Posted: April 4, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: A9, airplanes, Apple, Apple Watch, Auto-capture, Boeing, eco-friendly, Evernote, iPhone, iPhone 7, NASA, Samsung Leave a commentSamsung will be making the A9 chips for the next generation iPhone, according to macrumors.com. There have been conflicting rumors over whether it would be Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor, or a combination. The phone may also be the iPhone 7…Apple may add Force Touch from the Apple Watch to the screen and skip the 6S designation.
The Ubiquitous Evernote has a couple new features for iOS. Thenextweb.com reports that the note-taking app gets new camera functionality and support for the soon-to-be released Apple Watch. You will be able to auto-capture images when you point your camera at documents and business cards in the app.
NASA is teaming up with Boeing to make planes more eco-friendly. Engadget.com says they are experimenting with 31 tiny jets on the tail fin. This adds stability, and allows for a 17% smaller tail, making planes lighter and more fuel efficient.
New Features for Microsoft Outlook on Android & iOS
Posted: April 2, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, apps, Chrome, Drone, Flimmer, Google, iOS, Microsoft, Navy, Outlook Leave a commentMicrosoft has updated Outlook for both iOS and Android, according to thenextweb.com. It now shows the full blown address book, there’s a 3 day landscape view of Calendar, and you can now enter zero length meetings & cancel appointments.
Google has expanded App Runtime for Chrome, allowing all developers to make Android apps that will run on any PC or Mac with a Chrome browser. Engadget.com warns that even so, not all mobile apps will play well, but expect many to join Evernote and Vine on your desktop.
The Navy is developing a duck-like drone. Dubbed the Flimmer, engadget.com says it will fly around looking for subs, and then can poke its nose into the water for a better look. They’re trying to improve it’s ability to dive into choppy seas at this point.
Combined Touch Screen Router & Connected Home Hub Cuts Clutter
Posted: April 1, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Almond, Amazon, Apple Watch, Dash, Router, Smart Home Hub, Wireless charging, Zigbee Leave a commentWhile Amazon thinks you want an Amazon ‘Dash’ button everywhere to order things in your connected home, Almond is going the other way…combining a router and smart home hub into one. Engadget.com says two touchscreen models use the Zigbee smart home system, with the $199 Almond Plus having 2 bands and covering 5000 square feet.
Appleinsider.com reports that Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster predicts a million Apple Watches will sell over the launch weekend. He also sees them selling 2.3 million by June.
Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge support wireless charging. According to research firm IHS, total wireless power receiver shipments were 55 million last year, and will hit 120 million in 2015. They predict a whopping 2 BILLION by 2024!
Microsoft Surface 3 Grows Up
Posted: March 31, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, ARM, Intel Atom, Microsoft, STEM, Surface 3, Toys, Voice calls, WhatsApp, Windows Leave a commentMicrosoft has just unveiled the latest version of their Surface 3 tablet. The verge.com says the $499 tablet may have cracked the code this time…it has an Intel Atom chip instead of an ARM processor, and will run full Windows 8.1 and apps like the Surface Pro or a laptop.
Techcrunch.com reports that Amazon has launched a dedicated STEM toy shop. Toys for all ages focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math skills are featured.
WhatsApp has been updated for Android. According to thenextweb.com, you can now make and receive voice calls. It’s in the Google Play store now. WhatsApp says an iOS version will be out in a few weeks.
Samsung Rumored to Be Looking At Buying AMD
Posted: March 29, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AMD, cyclists, Glow in the dark, Google, Lifepaint, Microsoft, Radeon, Samsung, Search, Volvo, Yahoo Leave a commentSamsung’s future smartphones and tablets could have graphics that really scream. Geek.com says they are rumored to be about to acquire AMD…the chip and graphics card maker. The Radeon graphics card tech would be particularly appealing to Samsung. AMD also has a large patent portfolio.
Yahoo and Microsoft have agreed to a 30 day extension to the deadline to renegotiate a ten year search deal. According to reuters.com, the original 10 year deal made in 2010 allowed for changes or termination after 5 years. Even with the partnership, Google still controls about 2/3 of the search market, and both Yahoo and Microsoft have been disappointed with their combined 30 percent.
This could be an actual lifesaver for cyclists. Theverge.com reports that Volvo has developed a special reflective spray paint that is only visible at night. Dubbed ‘Lifepaint,’ the washable material lasts about 10 days. It’s completely invisible until hit by the glare of headlights, then it glows. Besides bikes, it can be applied to clothes, helmets, shoes, and backpacks. It’s been rolled out in Kent and London, United Kingdom first, and if it does well will be offered here.
Coming With Apple TV Update
Posted: March 21, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple TV, Battery life, F8, Facebook, Homekit, Messenger, Siri, Smartwatch, streaming, VEctor Leave a commentThe next version of Apple TV should make its debut at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Thenextweb.com says it will sport a new faster processor, more storage, Siri and HomeKit integration. They are likely to reveal more about their streaming TV service at WWDC, and preview an App Store just for Apple TV.
If you are really considering a smart watch, but worry about the poor battery life most have, bgr.com reports that Vector has a couple models available for preordering now. They claim 30 days of battery life for both the rectangular and round dial versions. A ‘sensor activated notification system’ pulls up notifications with the flick of a wrist. They sell for between $244 and $425.
According to tech crunch.com, next week at their F8 developer conference, Facebook will announce new ways for third parties to offer experiences through its messenger app. Facebook is wanting to turn Messenger into a freestanding platform.

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