Applecare For Enterprise Debuts
Posted: November 6, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Applecare, Enterprise, Fuel Cells, iOS, Runtastic, Sleep Better Leave a commentApplecare for enterprise has gone live, with on-site support from IBM. Mac rumors.com reports they promise a dedicated account manager, and businesses on the plan can replace 10% of damaged iOS devices accidentally damaged by employees.
Running app maker Runtastic have released a Sleep Better app. 9to5mac.com says no additional hardware is needed, just put your phone with the app next to your pillow. It’s free, but has added features through in app purchase.
Better fuel cells may be coming that run on a type of jet fuel used in harsh climates. Engadget.com says enzymes turn fuel into electricity without requiring a lot of heat or perfectly clean mixture like hydrogen fuel cells.
That Nicer Apple Watch Will Be Pricey
Posted: November 5, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Ahrendts, Apple, Apple Watch, Dell, Google Wallet, Microsoft, Surface Pro, Venue Pro 11 Leave a commentIf you really want an Apple watch, start saving pennies now…macrumors.com says the stainless steel model may be $500, and the gold version over 4 grand. Senior VP of Retail and Online Stores Angela Ahrendts says expect them in the spring.
Google Wallet has gotten a nice boost from all the buzz about Apple Pay. 9to5google.com reports that users have now doubled, and payments have grown by 50% since Apple Pay was introduced.
Dell’s just showed it’s updated Venue Pro 11 tablet, and engadget.com says it’s thinner and lighter than Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablet! The Venue pro 11 has a 10.8 inch screen and starts at $699.
Amazon Prime Adds Free Photo Storage
Posted: November 4, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Alienware, Amazon, Amazon Prime, Android, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, HP, iOS, Macs, NFC, PC, Softcard, Windows Phone Leave a commentYou can never have too many backups, and now if you have Amazon Prime, you get unlimited photo storage in the cloud, according to theverge.com. Note that this will work on PCs, Android, and iOS, but not yet on Macs. Amazon says that’s coming. Keep in mind that cloud storage is great for convieninece, but do keep a local backup or 3 of your pictures.
Apple Pay has grabbed a big chunk of the pay with your phone market, even though Google Wallet was already available. Now, gigaom.com reports that Windows phone users can make payments at NFC retail terminals with the Softcard app.
HP is taking orders for a new gaming laptop to compete with Alienware models. Engadget.com says the big plus for the $1500, 15.6 inch touch screen rig is that it’s noticeably thinner than Alienware machines. It will ship this month.
New Edge Phablet Coming From Samsung
Posted: November 3, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Cars, Galaxy Note Edge, keyless entry, NFC, Samsung, Starwood Hotels Leave a commentSamsung continues to roll out phones and phablets with their edge second screen. Thenextweb.com says the Galaxy Note Edge will be available November 14th. It’s basically a Galaxy Note 4 with the edge screen, then a 5.6 inch primary screen.
It’s going to get easier to pair smartphones with more car models. Autonews.com reports that car makers are working with NXP Semiconductor, and you should see NFC chips in 2016 model cars. Just tap and your connected…and no keys needed, either.
Speaking of no key, Starwood hotels are introducing keyless entry to rooms, and the ability to bypass checkin. gigaom.com says you book with an app, and get a code on your phone when the room’s ready. The service will start later this week.
Outlook for Mac Gets an Update
Posted: October 31, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Fire phone, Galaxy S5, iPad, iPhone, Microsoft, Office, Outlook, Sprint Leave a commentMicrosoft has put a fresh face on Outlook for Mac. 9to5mac.com says an updated version of Office is coming in 2015. Microsoft claims the latest Outlook gives users a more consistent experience with the iPhone and iPad versions.
The next iteration of Amazon’s Fire phone will be less expensive. Amazon has admitted they considerably overpriced the present model. Gigaom.com reports that future Fire phones will have better software and a lower price, much like Amazon has done with Kindles.
Sprint is expanding its smartphone lease program. Cnet.com says in addition to Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, you can now rent Samsung Galaxy S5 and S5 sport models. The lease is $20 a month for 24 months, then you buy or pick a new phone.
Microsoft’s New Wearable
Posted: October 30, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android Wear, Google, iOS, Mac, Microsoft, Microsoft Band, Microsoft Health, Skype, Wearables Leave a commentMicrosoft Band is a new fitness focused wearable. Thenextweb.com says its $199, and tracks users’ heart rate, steps taken, sun exposure, stress levels, calories burned and sleep quality, relaying the data to Microsoft Health.
As for Android Wear devices…don’t look for them to be iOS or Mac compatable this year. 9to5mac.com reports a Google project manager, speaking at a media event, confirmed no Android wearables will talk to iOS or Macs by this Christmas.
Skype for iPhone has been updated. It now saves and deletes photos, and according to venturebeat.com has improved chat load times, and has easier to use filter options. It’s available at the App store now.
LG Smartphone Sales Are Up Dramatically
Posted: October 29, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 3D printing, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, H-P, LG, Poynt, Samsung Leave a commentSales are flat for Samsung, but LG shipped 16.8 million smartphones in the third quarter. Techcrunch.com says that’s up 39% from a year ago. The flagship G3 did well, but was helped by sales of mid price models.
The former head of Google Wallet has launched Poynt, a so-called ‘future proof’ point of sale machine for stores. The verge.com reports it will read magnetic strip cards, chip & pin cards, NFC like Apple Pay, QR codes, and even Bluetooth Beacons.
HP has revealed more about its new 3D printing tech. Engadget.com says it uses a 4 step process to print 3D parts similarly to how an inkjet printer prints documents. HP claims products like gears could be made 10 times faster than with conventional methods.
New Sony Smartphones Send Data to China
Posted: October 28, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AT&T, Baidu, Beats, China, Hello Kitty, Sony, T-Mobile, Verizon Leave a commentNot many people are buying Sony smartphones, but if you did, heads up. They are transmitting data to servers in China right out of the box. Geek.com says some have a Baidu folder that keeps coming back after deletion. A workaround is on their forum.
Upstart T-Mobile keeps on outgrowing the other phone providers. They signed 2.3 million new customers in 3rd quarter according to engadget.com. AT&T picked up 2 million, and Verizon grabbed 1.53 million.
If you have young girls, or are a fangirl, it’s jackpot time. Just in time for Christmas, Beats has unveiled Hello Kitty headphones. Cnet.com says they’re for Kitty’s 40th anniversary. As you might expect, they’re a pricey $249, and available mid-november.
Fire TV Stick-Amazon’s Answer to Chromecast & Roku
Posted: October 27, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple, Burner, Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, HID, NFC, Roku, SIM, Swytch Leave a commentAmazon has launched Fire TV Stick. Geek.com says the Chromecast and Ruku streaming stick competitor is $39, but you can preorder it for $19 the next two days if you have Amazon Prime. It will ships November 19th.
Apple is in talks to expand their NFC reach for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. 9to5mac.com says they’re angling to integrate HID and Global building keycards, and transit fare cards. Forget your BART card or key card to get in the building…just bring your iPhone.
Your phone company will hate it, but in Britain, Swytch is building an app that allows multiple, simultaneous phone numbers on a phone with one sim card. Techcrunch.com reports the app would allow for business and personal numbers on one phone, use of a ‘burner’ number if you were selling something, etc. It will work on iOS and Android, and on tablets with cellular as well. Expect it to be here early next year.
LG Will Join the Roll Your Own CPU Club
Posted: October 24, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 3D, Battery, CPU, Graphene, LG, Looksery, Video Chat Leave a commentSmartphone and appliance maker LG has made a big move. Their next smartphone will sport the company’s own CPU chips. Engadget.com says they’re an 8 core chip similar to Samsung’s.
A married couple has unveiled the world’s first 3D print graphene battery. Forbes.com reports that the prototype already matches the power of a AA battery, and can be made in any shape. They plan to offer materials for people to print their own at home!
Talk about a vanity app…Looksery has launched a video chatting app that makes you look more attractive. TechCrunch.com says the app is live on Apple’s app store, and you can make avatars with it, too. I’ll be George Clooney, please.
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