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.
No Mega iPad Until Fall
Posted: March 5, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android Wear, Apple, Blue Link, Galaxy S6, Hyundai, iPad, Samsung, T-Mobile, USB Leave a commentApple is delaying production of the reported 12.9 inch iPad until September according to bloomberg.com. In addition to business tools from IBM, it’s rumored to have a USB port, a first for an iPad.
T-Mobile has spilled the beans about the pricing of the new Samsung Galaxy S6…and bgr.com reports that it’s more expensive than an iPhone! The base 32Gb model will start at $699, 50 bucks more than the cheapest iPhone 6. It’s still expected to be $199 with a contract.
The Blue Link app is out for Hyundai owners. Engadget.com says the app, previewed at CES, will let owners of Hyundais as old as 2012 use Android Wear smart watches to lock and unlock their cars, start and stop the engine, honk the horn, and flash the lights.
New Blazingly Fast Set Top Box/Game System Coming
Posted: March 4, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 4K, Android, Android Wear, Apple, Google, iOS, LG G Wach, Moto 360, No dropped calls, Nvidia, Set Top Box, The Shield, Wireless signal data, Xbox 360 Leave a commentNvidia, known for their video cards, is bringing out a set top box called The Shield. TechCrunch.com says the $199 box runs Android, and will be out in May. It’s also a gaming console, and supports 4K video. They claim double the performance of an Xbox 360.
According to appleinsider.com, Google is planning to develop an Android Wear app for iOS. This would allow owners of Moto 360 and LG G Watches and other Android Wear devices to use them with iPhones and iPads. Look for it at the I/O Conference in May.
Apple has patented using wireless signal data for vehicle navigation. Gigaom.com reports this would let you plan a route with strong cell signals and no dead spots…it might take longer, but with no dropped calls.
Apple Watch Average Price Ranges Predicted
Posted: March 3, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Sport, Apple Watch, Blackberry, Blackphone, Blackphone 2, Silent Circle Leave a commentAccording to appleinsider.com, the average selling price of the low end Apple watch called Apple Sport, will be close to $450, despite Apple’s quoted starting price of $349. The midrange Apple watch will set you back around $650, and the high end Apple Edition that starts at just under 5 grand will end up soaking up about $7500!
The ultra secure Blackphone is getting a refresh. Bgr.com says Silent Circle will release the Blackphone 2 it just previewed at Mobile World Congress in the second half of the year, and also showed a prototype of the Blackphone+ tablet.
Theverge.com reports that BlackBerry will roll out a curved display phone later this year. It and another model designed by Porsche will be touchscreen only. BlackBerry will also release a new keyboard-based phone.
Mobile Moving Up In Google Searches
Posted: March 1, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple VR, Electric cars, FedEx, Fuel Savings, Gear VR, Google, Mobile, Samsung, Search, Tesla, Trucks, Virtual Reality Leave a commentGoogle has an upcoming change to search…engadget.com says on April 21st, they will roll out an updated algorithm that puts mobile versions of websites higher in the search results. The search giant also has a mobile-friendly test tool available for website operators to check that Google recognizes their mobile version.
Samsung has frequently been dinged for copying Apple. According to bgr.com, the tables are about to be turned, as Apple may be working on a virtual reality headset like the Gear VR. Cupertino already has some VR patents, but new job listings indicate things are heating up on developing an Apple VR headset.
Electric cars get all the glory, but a co-founder of Tesla says its electric trucks that will matter more. The verge.com reports that Ian Wright claims companies should retrofit gas guzzling trucks with his Wrightspeed range-extended power trains. Wright is already converting 25 FedEx trucks to his system, and says they’ll save 35 grand a year each in fuel and $20,000 in maintenance.
Tim Cook on the Apple Car….Keys
Posted: February 28, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Apple Car, Apple Watch, Car Keys, Ford, Lower Emissions, Parking, Self Driving, YouTube Leave a commentAlthough he was characteristically mum about an Apple car, CEO Tim Cook did tease about cars in London. Geekwire.com reports he said in an interview that the Apple Watch is designed to be able to replace car keys and what he called ‘the clumsy, large fobs’ which are now used by many vehicles. Apple already has a patent on smartphone tech to unlock cars.
Ford is working on cutting car emissions by speeding parking. Arstechnica.com says the automaker is looking towards self driving cars, and using off the shelf parts and a crowdsourced, real time database, your car would head right to a parking space. Ford claims 20-30% of vehicle emissions now come from hunting for parking.
YouTube for Android is getting a useful…and some say overdue…feature. According to thenextweb.com, you can finally trim videos. It’s reportedly precise enough to nearly edit down to the frame. A preview allows you to check your work before finalizing the upload.
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