Trade In Your Old Surface for a Surface Pro 3
Posted: February 19, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Do, Firefox, IFTTT, Inbox by Gmail, iPad, iPhone, Microsoft, Safari, Surface Pro 3, Trade in Leave a commentBecause everybody likes a deal, Microsoft is offering trade in credit on the Surface Pro 3. Cnet.com says you can get up to $650 in credit for your old Surface tablet on a 3, but only at Microsoft’s online site and from now until March 8th.
That OTHER tablet now has Inbox by Gmail. According to thenextweb.com, Google has released its invite only mail app for the iPad now. It works with Safari and Firefox, as well as Chrome. If you do have an invite, it’s available at the App Store now.
IF triple T has released a flurry of ‘DO’ apps for Android and iPhone. Gigaom.com says they just give you a big, simple button to do something when you’re ready…send pics to your family, turn on your connected thermostat, or send a document to Evernote with one press instead of a series of clicks and swipes.
Sony Pressing Ahead On SmartEyeglass Wearables
Posted: February 18, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Google Glass, Hulu, Ray, Secondary market, Smart Playlist, SmartEyeglass, Smartphones, Sony, Universal Remote, Watchlist Leave a commentDespite GoogleGlass being gone for now, Sony is getting ready to ship a developer edition SmartEyeglass wearable March 10th. Appleinsider.com says they can be preordered now for $840. Unlike GoogleGlass, these need to talk to an Android smartphone via Bluetooth.
Hulu is getting smart. Engadget.com reports that they’ve added Watchlist…a smart playlist that will bump shows up in the que it notices you tend to watch first. It’s a coming trend…Ray has a universal remote now that tracks your habits for $199.
How many people upgrade smartphones to get the latest and greatest? A report by Gartner picked up by techcrunch.com says 60% in the US & Germany. This also means a big 2nd hand phone market. Gartner says it will go from 56 million last year to 120 million in 2017.
Microsoft Opens Up Office To Other Cloud Services
Posted: February 17, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Box, Citrix, Dropbox, iOS, Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Video Headset Leave a commentMicrosoft has announced cloud storage integration for Office with other than their own cloud service. According to office.com, one of Redmond’s official blogs, in addition to OneDrive and Dropbox, you now have built in file integration for iPad and iPhone. They are also working on Android, Salesforce, Box and Citrix.
Patentlyapple.com reports that Apple has patented a video headset that you slide an iPhone or iPod into for the video. It has picture in picture, so you can still see your surroundings or view email and the like. It’s controlled by haptic touch and Siri.
Worldwide, 1.2 billion smartphones were sold last year, according to German analysts GfK, in a report picked up by tech crunch.com. That was a 23% increase, mainly powered by bigger screen models and South America. They see 14% growth this year, due to saturation of countries in Asia.
Microsoft Apps Coming to Android Via Samsung
Posted: February 15, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Aviate, Google Play, iCloud, iWork, Microsoft, Office, Samsung, Skype, Yahoo Leave a commentMicrosoft appears to be making a major move to invade Android’s turf. Business insider.com has picked up a report from Sam Mobile that says Redmond may have cut a deal to have apps like Microsoft Office Mobile, OneNote, OneDrive, and Skype pre-loaded on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6. We’ll know for sure March 1st when the S6 is introduced.
If you’ve been wanting to use Apple iWork apps on other than your home Mac, you’re in luck. Apple has made Pages, Numbers, and Keynote accessible through iCloud Beta to users without an apple device. Mac rumors.com says you get a gig of storage when you sign up for a free iCloud account.
The contextual home screen for Android called Aviate, which changes through the day to suit your needs, has added search outside the US. Engadget.com reports that the app…which was bought by Yahoo last year…is a free download from Google Play.
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.
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