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.
Android’s Billion Phone Year
Posted: January 31, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, DARPA, Google, iTunes, Robots, YouTube Leave a commentA huge milestone has been passed by Android. 9to5google.com says there were a billion Android smartphones shipped in 2014. Strategy Analytics says they had expected the billion number, but only with tablets added in. China was a big help to pushing that number…sales there have doubled since 2012.
Over at Apple, an updated version of iTunes was just released. Thenextweb.com reports that version 12.1 includes a new widget that lets you see what’s playing, skip ahead, and buy songs right from the widget.
DARPA, the folks that basically gave us the internet, has a new futuristic project. Engadget.com says they are developing new tech that lets robots learn from YouTube videos! The idea is to teach the machines not only to collect data, but how to act on it. Don’t expect the rise of the machines to happen any time soon, though!
Full Microsoft Office Hits Android and iOS
Posted: January 29, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, iOS, lithium-ion battery, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Water repellant Leave a commentOffice for Android is completely live. Microsoft announced on their official blog that the ‘Preview’ has been lifted, and you can download free Office apps from the Google Play Store. Outlook is also now full featured for iOS on the Apple App Store. You do need an Office 365 subscription though.
MIT startup SolidEnergy may have cracked the code for better smartphone battery life. Bgr.com says they’ve built a lithium-ion battery with an ultra thin anode and special electrolyte that can double battery life…and it will be out this year!
Scientists at University of Rochester have developed super water repellant metal and other materials using lasers. Theverge.com reports that earlier chemical treated surfaces tended to lose the repellency, but this can’t be rubbed off.
The Next HTC Flagship Phone Will Be Two
Posted: January 28, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: App Store, Apple, Google Play, Hima, HTC One M9, Moto X, Motorola, Plus Leave a commentLeaked renderings show the upcoming HTC One M9…code named Hima. 9to5google.com says usually reliable Evan Blass sees a regular and a ‘plus’ size, and the regular one doesn’t have a hardware home button.
It helped sales before, so Motorola is again discounting the Moto X. According to theverge.com, it will be $140 off February 2nd through Valentine’s Day…the same price as Moto had Cyber Monday.
With all the hoopla about Apple’s sales and earnings, here’s something that slipped under the radar. Appliedsider.com says Google Play downloads are growing, but Apple’s App Store still commands 70% of digital storefront revenue.
Connected Home: Mattress Pad, Meet Thermostat
Posted: January 27, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Alaska Air, digEplayer, Facebook, Luna, Nest, Toshiba, Wickr, Windows Leave a commentFrom Luna, there’s a smart mattress cover that tracks your sleep. The next web.com says that although many gadgets can do that, this $179 mattress pad also can connect with Nest thermostats and adjust the heat in your home.
Geekwire.com reports that Alaska Air is phasing out their digEplayer, and will rent out Windows powered Toshiba tablets for 8-10 bucks for long haul flights. They’ll have an array of movies, Xbox games, music, and magazines. Free for first class, of course.
Secure chat app Wickr has added the ability to save photos and share with up to 151 friends securely for 24 hours on Facebook. Engadget.com says your friends logged into Wickr will see your post…others will just see random cat pictures!
Snapchat Adds Non-Disappearing Content
Posted: January 25, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: BMW, Chargepoint, Charging Stations, Discover, Electric Car, Microsoft, Snapchat, VW, Windows Leave a commentSnapchat is readying to start publishing original videos and articles…a feature that was delayed from implementing last fall. Theverge.com says the service, famous for self-deleting pictures that vanish in seconds, will launch its ad supported ‘Discover’ service late this month. In addition to original pieces from their own journalists and video producers, they will have content from CNN, ESPN, and Vice.
One of the great drags on electric car sales is the fear of running out of battery power. Cnet.com reports that BMW and VW have partnered with Chargepoint to create charging corridors. In the deal, Chargepoint will deploy at least 100 chargers along the East and West coasts. These will be able to fast charge, getting an electric vehicle up to 80% charge in less than a half hour. The plan is to have no more than a 50 mile gap between stations, and have them in place by the end of the year.
If proof was needed to show how badly people want to get away from Windows 8 iterations, 170,000 have signed up since Microsoft’s event this week to be Windows Insider beta testers for the upcoming Windows 10. Gigaom.com says that’s a 10% bump since the program started last fall. A lot of people are at least WANTING to love Windows.
The Smaller Phone Carriers Duke It Out
Posted: January 24, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Watch, Burberry, Nano-bots, Sprint, Switching, T-Mobile Leave a commentThe carrier wars have escalated. A day after T-Mobile rolled out a program letting loyal customers avoid credit checks, Sprint has unveiled one guaranteeing any T-Mobile customer $200 credit for a working and activated T-Mobile smartphone. 9to5google.com says it’s still not as sweet a deal as Sprint offers switchers from AT&T and Verizon.
According to BGR.com, the upcoming Apple Watch, currently seeing much hand wringing over lack of battery life, will actually be more powerful than the first iPad. Meanwhile, Apple has hired Burberry’s VP of Digital Retail Initiatives. Chester Chipperfield is expected to help reorganize part of Apple’s stores to feature the watch.
Scientists have developed self-destructing nano-bots and implanted them in mice. Engadget.com reports that they are first being used to treat peptic ulcers and other stomach disorders. They can survive the gastrointestinal tract long enough to release medication, then destroy themselves without leaving any trace of harmful chemicals behind. You won’t be turning into a Borg for a while, yet!
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