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.
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.
clarkreid 
Recent Comments