Swiss Luxury Watch Maker Joins the Smartwatch World
Posted: March 19, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple Watch, Cabs, Carrera, CDs, Digital Downloads, Intel, OpenStreetCAb, Smartwatch, streaming, Tag Heuer, Uber Leave a commentThe Swiss are getting into the smart watch market in a big way. Ahead of the Apple Watch drop, Tag Heuer has unveiled a luxury smart watch. Reuters.com says it’s got Intel inside, and runs Android. It looks just like a real Carrera, and could be on wrists by fall.
Streaming music sales have gone from 5% of the market 5 years ago to 27 percent last year. Cnet.com reports that stream sales hit $1.87 billion in 2014, slipping by CDs, which took in $1.85 billion. Digital downloads like iTunes dropped again, but still accounted for a whopping $2.58 billion!
Right now, it’s just in New York, but there’s an app out called OpenStreetCab that both Uber and the cab companies hate. According to bgr.com, it compares, and tells you which is the cheapest. The data so far suggests it’s Uber for longer rides, cabs for a shorter one.
Uh-Oh ‘Butterfingers’ Program For All on HTC One M9 and M8
Posted: March 18, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Biometrics, emoji, HTC One M8, HTC One M9, iOS 8, iOS 8.3, Microsoft, Siri, Windows 10, Windows Hello Leave a commentIn an effort to get people to switch to their handsets, HTC has announced the ‘Uh-Oh’ program for the One M9 that launches in a couple weeks. If you break your phone, they’ll replace it free for the first 365 days. Thenextweb.com says HTC will extend the coverage to the M8 after the M9 launches, too.
Windows 10 is coming this summer from Microsoft, sooner than most expected. According to bgr.com, Windows Hello will be able to use your face, fingerprints, or iris scanning, instead of a password or PIN number. The biometric data is local, so hackers can’t grab it as it travels over the web.
The latest version of Apple’s mobile system, iOS 8 is now on 77% of its mobile devices, ahead of the Apple Watch release next month. 9to5mac.com reports that upcoming
update 8.3 has more Emoji characters and more languages for Siri.
Dyson Hoovers Up Battery Co. That Doubles Battery Life
Posted: March 17, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Chromecast, Double Life, Dyson, Google, Lithium Ion Batteries, Mobile Games, Nintendo, Remote, Skati3, Solid State Batteries Leave a commentWe reported earlier about some innovative batteries that double the life of Lithium Ion batteries. Now, geek.com reports that Dyson has vacuumed up Skati3, the company that makes them. Look for the solid state batteries in Dyson’s portable vacuums, and later in smartphones and other gadgets.
Google’s Chromecast has made your smartphone into a really great TV remote…but what if you left it in the other room? According to techcrunch.com, you can use your infrared TV remote to pause and un-pause streaming videos.It works on MOST streams and MOST TVs.
Nintendo is finally poised for something of a comeback. Bgr.com says they’re going really big into mobile games, joining Sega and Square. Even with free apps, mobile games make a mint from in-app purchases…as Sega and Square have discovered.
Apple Watch Clones and Knock Offs Already On Sale
Posted: March 15, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Airport lines, Apple, Apple Watch, Blip Systems, Clones, Counterfeit, Cut wait time, Microsoft, Playstation 4, Sony, Xbox One Leave a commentLast week, Apple rolled out the Apple Watch, and within a day, counterfeit versions were on the streets in China. Now, zdnet.com says there are knockoffs in stores and online. One shown on Alibaba is the Airwatch A8 smart wearable watch. It’s a dead ringer, but runs Android, shoots photos and video, and uses a SIM card for independent calling. It’s $76.
There’s not much more frustrating than lines at the airport. Theverge.com reports that Cincinnati International Airport is using a tracking system that picks up the MAC addresses of smartphones anonymously, and has allowed them to cut time in security lines by a third. 20 other airports around the world are using the tech from Blip Systems.
Microsoft cut prices on the Xbox One and beat out Sony during the Christmas season, but now Sony has come roaring back, with the Playstation 4 outselling the Xbox in both January and February. According to Geekwire.com, those two new generation game systems have outsold their predecessors by 60% so far.
iPhone Fitness App Won’t Activate Until You Pair With Apple Watch
Posted: March 14, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple Watch, Cortana, Einstein Project, Electricity through the air, Fitness app, iOS, Microsoft Leave a commentA developer has discovered that the Fitness app does exist on iPhones in iOS 8.2. Macrumors.com says it apparently doesn’t appear until you pair the phone with Apple Watch…then you get a comprehensive overview of your daily activity and workout history. Apple has been pushing health and fitness as a prime reason to spring for the watch, which is out April 24th.
Microsoft’s Cortana digital assistant is apparently coming to Android and iOS. According to Reuters.com, it may be ready to drop along with the desktop version when Windows 10 is released this fall. The managing director of the Einstein project, which is building it, says it can read and understand email.
Electricity in the air? Yes, and not just a figure of speech. Scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have just used microwaves to send 1.8 kilowatts of electricity 180 feet through the air to a device! Rt.com notes that’s enough to power a microwave oven! An eventual goal is to transmit solar energy collected and converted to electricity in space down to the surface where we can use it!
Mystery Color & Maybe Third Model of Galaxy S6
Posted: March 12, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Chromebook, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Internet of things, iPhone, Mystery Color, Samsung, USB type C Leave a commentThere’s a lot of buzz about Samsung’s new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, and most features are known, but it looks like Samsung has ‘one more thing.’ Bgr.com says in addition to white, black, pale gold, and either ‘blue topaz’ for the S6 or ‘green emerald’ on the Edge, a mystery 5th color will be revealed later…and maybe a third model!
Apple is moving on the internet of things. A new patent shows an iPhone dock with audio, wireless, a touch sensitive display, and proximity sensors. According to Techcrunch.com, it’s a future control center for your connected Apple home.
Last week, the new Macbook rolled out with just one port…the reversible USB Type C. Now, engadget.com reports that Google is very committed to the multi-use port, and it may be showing up on Android phones and Chromebooks in the very near future.
iOS Update Creates Battery Suck…But The Fix Is Easy
Posted: March 11, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Amazon Exclusives Shop, Emoticons, Facebook, Fat, Fitness Tracking, iOS, iOS 8.2, Motion & Fitness, Shark Tank, Stuffed Leave a commentIf you installed Apple’s iOS 8.2 update, that’s good…it had an important security fix. If your battery is lasting less time now, bgr.com says try this: go to settings…click privacy…click Motion & Fitness, and toggle Fitness Tracking off. That should get you more battery life.
Amazon has just rolled out it’s new ‘Exclusives’ Shop. According to techcrunch.com, it showcases up and coming brands and new inventions…including products previously featured on the TV show Shark Tank. Every item exclusively available on Amazon, of course.
Following a firestorm of protest from activists and several petitions, Facebook has removed it’s ‘feeling fat’ for status updates…kind of. Thenextweb.com says it’s been replaced with the very same emoticon re-labeled ‘feeling stuffed.’
The Next Updates to Android Wear
Posted: March 10, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android Wear, FeelReel, Gesture Control, Google, Nest, Nest Audio, Smellovision, Virtual Reality, VR Headset, WiFi Leave a commentWith all the frenzy about the Apple Watch, Google hasn’t been standing still. The verge.com says Android Wear for those OTHER wearables will be getting Wi-Fi support and gesture control in the next update. Most Android Wear smart watches already have Wi-Fi baked in, the update will just activate it.
First it was their signature learning thermostat, then Nest had the shake start with the Nest Protect smoke alarm. Now techcrunch.com reports they are advertising for a head of Nest Audio, in a move to integrate control of your audio and video system.
That takes care of sight and sound, what about smell? According to geek.com, FeelReel has a new virtual reality accessory that simulates 7 different ‘smellscapes!’ Fire, ocean, jungle, grass, and flowers are among them, and there are heat and water mist ports too. It’s $249 PLUS a VR headset!
Google Wireless….IF You Have the Right Phone
Posted: March 8, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple Watch, Cellular, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Google, Powermat, Reserve Strap, Samsung, WiFi, Wireless, Wireless charging Leave a commentGoogle may kick off it’s rumored wireless service as soon as the end of the month. Bgr.com says the system will switch from Wi-Fi to cellular like any other, but there’s one HUGE drawback…it will only be available initially on the latest Nexus 6 smartphone. No price point has been revealed, but expect it to be very competitive…with the usual caveat that you’ll give up a bit more privacy to Google if you sign up!
We know Samsung is including wireless charging in the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. Now, the CEO of Powermat, says their wireless charging standard will come baked in to all future Samsung smartphones that feature wireless charging. CNET.com reports that Samsung is also including the wireless standard from the Wireless Power Consortium for now. Powermat is what you see at Starbucks.
One of the big concerns of smart watches is battery life, and that goes for the Apple Watch to be hitting wrists next month. According to 9to5mac.com, The Reserve Strap will come to the rescue…recharging the watch as you wear it. It will extend the battery life to 125% of normal, and preorders are open now on their website…but it’s $249…just a hundred less than the actual Apple Watch!
Analyst: Apple Watch SalesWill Be Strong
Posted: March 7, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Watch, Drones, Gmail, Google, iOS Leave a commentThe Apple Watch will be introduced Monday, and appleinsider.com says a forecast from BMO Capital Markets is for 19 million of the smart watches to sell this year. They predict that half of those will be during the holiday shopping season. BMO also expects that by the end of 2015, there will be more than 484 million iPhone users…nearly a half a billion!
Google has updated Gmail for iOS. 9to5google.com reports that Google has included sheet support, the ability to archive, and the ability to reply to email using notifications. You will also be able to email directly from other apps and attach photos and documents, like with Apple’s native Mail app. It’s in the App Store now.
If drones make you worry about privacy, you may as well start worrying more now. According to bgr.com, Unbox Therapy has a mini-drone that fits in the palm of your hand. The good news is, right now, it’s indoor only…it can’t fly in any amount of wind.
clarkreid 
Recent Comments