Samsung Shows Galaxy S6 to Vendors
Posted: January 5, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Belkin, Galaxy S6, Samsung, Seagate, WeMo Leave a commentSamsung is showing the new Galaxy S6 at CES, but only to select partners. 9to5google.com says SamMobile indicates it will be revealed to carriers and accessory makers. They will probably unveil it to all at Mobile World Congress next month.
According to gigaom.com, Belkin is showing 4 new sensors to its WeMo line of connected home products this week. Door and window sensors, a keychain proximity sensor, and smoke alarm sensor.
Drive maker Seagate is showing off new ultra-slim drives. Engadget.com reports that the portable 500 Gig Model 7 is 7 millimeters thick, and will be $100.
From HD to 4K to 8K-The Video Quality Arms Race Continues
Posted: January 2, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 4K, 8K, CES, Exploit, HD, iCloud, LG, Office Mobile, Sony, Windows Leave a commentJust as higher def 4K TVs are finding their ways into living rooms, Sony and LG are planning to show 8K TVs at CES next week. Bgr.com says a side benefit should be lower prices for 4K TVs this year.
After sprucing up Office Mobile on iOS and Android, gigaom reports that Microsoft will add more touch features for its Windows Mobile version in the next 6 weeks.
A hacker has released an exploit claimed to be able to break into any iCloud account. Businessinsider.com reports iDict has been tried by some Reddit users, and seems to work. No word yet from Apple on a fix.
The Second Coming of Palm
Posted: January 1, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Palm, Samsung, Smart TVs, Tizen, Twitter Leave a commentBefore smartphones, a lot of us had Palm Pilots. Palm may be rising again. Thenextweb.com says a Chinese company has bought the Brand, and posted ‘coming soon’ at Palm.com.
Samsung hasn’t gotten much traction using their Tizen operating system on smartphones, but reuters.com reports that their smart TVs in 2015 will be running the operating system.
Twitter is starting to roll out a ‘while you were away’ recap feature to users. Techcrunch.com says it resemble’s Facebook’s timeline, and is Twitter’s first major non-chronological feature.
A Smartphone Maker Besides Apple Had a Banner Year
Posted: December 31, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Pay, Dyson, Huawei, LED lamps Leave a commentApple’s not the only smartphone maker with big increases in 2014. Reuters.com says Huawei’s smartphone sales are up 40%, and revenues by a third. They shipped 75 million smartphones in 2014.
9to5mac.com reports that iPhone 6 users are finding that cards can’t be added back into Apple Pay after a restore of the phone. So far, the only fix is for Apple to replace the phone.
A $2000 light bulb will be out in May. Developed by Dyson, of vacuum and fan fame, it lasts 40 years. Bgr.com says the LED lamp will save enough energy to be worth it in difficult to access commercial spots like airport and mall ceilings.
HTC Goes Big With High Megapixel Cams in New Smartphone
Posted: December 30, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Art Slim, CES, Hima, HTC, LG, Milk VR, Samsung, Virtual Reality 2 CommentsHTC will show it’s new flagship smartphone, code named ‘Hima’ at CES next week. 9to5google.com says it has a 5 inch screen and a 20.7 megapixel camera, and a 13 megapixel front facing ‘selfie’ camera!
LG has rolled out a new ‘Art Slim’ series of TV’s that are 75% slimmer! They’ll be showing off a .3 thick 55 inch one next week, and cnet.com reports the 65 inch screen is barely thicker. They’re 25% lighter weight, too!
Virtual reality headsets are cool, but you need content, and now Samsung has introduced a service called Milk VR featuring 360 degree content. TechCrunch.com notes that Samsung wants it to become the YouTube of VR content.
Samsung Continues to Move Out of High End Smartphones
Posted: December 29, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Pay, Encrypted video calling, Galaxy Alpha, Mega, NFC, Samsung Leave a commentSamsung continues to regroup, and now will drop one of their best phones, the metal Galaxy Alpha, in favor of cheaper phones. Theverge.com says poor battery life and the cost doomed the model.
Riding on the success of Apple Pay in the US, the Cupertino giant is in talks to launch the smartphone based NFC payment system in Britain in the first half of 2015. Macrumors.com reports that banks there may be an easier sell than users.
Kim Dotcom’s company Mega may be getting ready to launch a fully encrypted video call service. Thenextweb.com says the browser based service will include high speed file transfers.
Nokia Is Going to Build An Aluminum Body Tablet
Posted: December 26, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Bullitt, Kodak, LG, Mercedes-Benz, Nokia, Ruggedized, Self Driving, tablet Leave a commentNokia is jumping back into the tablet business. Slashdot.org says they’ll launch a one piece aluminum bodied tablet running Android Lollypop in China on January 7th.
Legendary film company Kodak is going to roll out a smartphone at the Consumer Electronics Show. According to engadget.com, the Android phone will be made for them by British firm Bullitt, who make the ruggedized Caterpiller phones.
LG and Mercedes-Benz are partnering to make a system to power self driving cars. Techcrunch.com says the system is based on LG’s Advanced Drive Assist Program. LG’s entertainment systems are also slated to go into Mercedes cars.
PlayStation Games On TV Without the PlayStation
Posted: December 24, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Google, HTC One M8, PlayStation, Samsung, Sony, TV, YouTube Leave a commentIf you’re a gamer, and thinking about a new TV, Samsung will have TVs that play PlayStation games without the playstation next year. Cnet.com says they’ll use Sony’s PlayStation Now service.
The HTC One M8 is one of the very best Android phones, and HTC has announced you can buy it or any HTC phone from their website at 20% off. Bgr.com reports the deal lasts until January 2nd.
Google will rat you out to the FBI if you post YouTube videos threatening to kill cops. Engadget.com says it’s an automated system…they’re not really screening all those videos.
Apple May Add a 4 Inch Model to the iPhone 6S
Posted: December 23, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Autistic, Confide, Encryption, Google Play, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, Look At Me, Samsung Leave a commentAfter going big with the iPhone 6 Plus, Apple is rumored to be looking at a return to a 4 inch model with an iPhone 6S Mini. Appleinsider.com says an analyst at Cowen and Company indicates it would have specs like last year’s iPhone 5S. This would be the first time Apple has had 3 different sizes of a current model if it happens.
Techcrunch.com reports that Samsung has released Look At Me, and app for autistic kids. It’s supposed to help kids to make better eye contact. Developed by South Korean psychologists and professors, it’s on Google Play.
App maker Confide is offering services to entertainments, labels, and networks. Cnet.com says their app has end to end encryption, and automatically self destructs…leaving no embarrassing email trail. No word on whether Sony has reached out to them.
Samsung Tizen Phone Coming Soon
Posted: December 22, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple Watch, iPhone, Kindle Fire HDX 8.9, Samsung, Tizen, Z-1 Leave a commentAfter several delays, Samsung will release it’s first Tizen powered phone, the Z-1, next month in India. Gigaom.com says it’s not aimed at top line handsets like iPhone and the Galaxy S5, but to break Android’s hold on the medium and lower price markets.
If you’re a procrastinator and want a full sized tablet, Amazon’s Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is $299 today only. Theverge.com reports that’s 30% off, but you’ll have to spring for expedited shipping to get it by Christmas.
Appleinsider.com notes that a survey by Piper Jaffray indicates potential Apple Watch buyers are taking a wait and see attitude. Only 7% of iPhone buyers presently plan to buy the smart watch. Apple will need a killer app to get that number up.
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