A Great Smartphone Gets Windows
Posted: August 19, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Cortana, Facebook, HTC, Microsoft, Norton, Symantec, Verizon, Windows Leave a commentIt’s one of the best smartphones around right now, and tech crunch.com says Verizon will start selling an exclusive HTC One M8 running Windows instead of Android. It will include Microsoft’s Windows Phone personal assistant, Cortana.
Symantec is trimming the Norton line to a single security suite. Cnet.com reports that Norton Security drops September 23rd, and will combine their antivirus and internet security products. You can register up to 3 devices across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It will retail for about 80 bucks, but expect to see it discounted.
Thenextweb.com says Facebook is testing out adding stickers to newsfeed comments like people presently can drop into private messages. Prepare to either be delighted or annoyed!
Microsoft & HP Set to Take On Chromebooks
Posted: August 18, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Aquos, Buddytruk, Chromebook, HP, Microsoft, Sharp, Sprint Leave a commentMicrosoft isn’t ready to cede the super low laptop market to Chromebooks. They’ve partnered with HP on the HP Stream 14…a $199 Windows laptop. Gigaom.com says it will have 100 gigs of storage on Microsoft’s OneDrive servers for 2 years and will be out this year.
A nearly bezel free smartphone is coming from Sharp. According to theverge.com, they will sell an Aquos Crystal model with a 5 inch screen, and possibly the 5.5 inch model on Sprint’s system. No bezel makes the screen seem bigger, and they will use Harmon Kardon audio.
If you have a pickup or van and want to make some extra cash, check out Buddytruk. Techcrunch.com says think Uber or Lyft for moving…peer to peer via an app. It’s just in LA, but will be expanding soon to other large cities.
The Connected Home Continues to Grow
Posted: August 15, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 3D Pictures, Home Depot, Microsoft, Smart Devices, SMS Audio, Windows, Wink Leave a commentThe internet of things and connected home are alive and well at Home Depot. Gigaom.com says the home improvement giant now has over 600 ‘smart devices’ in stock, and is pushing the Wink home hub platform.
50 Cent’s SMS Audio has just announced BioSport In-Ear, wired earbuds with biometric capabilities to record heart rate during your workout using built-in optical sensors. They will be on sale by 4th quarter.
The Windows phone isn’t doing much, but Microsoft is still trying. Bgr.com says they’ve developed a way to modify regular smartphone cameras to take 3D pictures, by letting infrared light through. No word yet on when this might be in your hands.
Next Generation iPads
Posted: August 12, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, iPad, LTE, Siri, Verizon, Viv Labs Leave a commentThe next generation iPads are in the works. Macrumors.com says they’ll be out by Christmas, and the big one will feature an anti-reflective coating for better outdoor viewing.
Cnet.com reports that Verizon sees phones running exclusively on the 4G LTE network by 2016. Right now, most carriers run your data on LTE, but voice on the older 3G networks. Expect features like clearer voice calls and a cloud based VIDEO address book!
The creators of Siri have founded a startup called Viv Labs. Businessinsider.com says they’re working on a virtual assistant that listens like a human. You’ll be able to ask more complicated and long-winded questions, and speak to it more naturally.
Selfie iPhone Planned?
Posted: August 8, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Bing, iPhone, Kickstarter, Selfie, SwivelCard, Yelp Leave a commentDon’t expect it on the iPhone 6, but bgr.com says Apple has patented a front facing camera that lurks inside the speaker port and has a flash. Your selfies will be amazing!
If you are going overseas, and want to check out places on Yelp, the updated iOS app will translate reviews on the fly. Engadget.com reports the translation is powered by Bing.
People may file business cards, or toss them in a drawer. Techcrunch.com notes that a Kickstarter called SwivelCard is perforated, and has a USB interface…users plug it in, and it loads your website. They’re $289 for 200, and ship in October.
A Smartwatch NOT Coming From a Tech Company
Posted: August 6, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, AT&T, Qualcomm, Timex, Twitter Leave a commentIt’s not just tech companies chasing the smart watch market. AT&T has announced the Timex GPS One Plus. Gigaom.com says it’s powered by Qualcomm, and will synch running data and handle short messages. It’s $400, and has a year of free 3G service.
There’s more from Twitter…they may be adding e-commerce. A dormant setting for ‘payment and shipping’ has showed up in the Android app. Thenextweb.com reports that some have also seen a Buy Now button in tweets.
No chords OR batteries may be the future. Apple has patented a way to power keyboards and mice magnetically. Appleinsider.com says it will run accessories up to 3 feet away from the computer.
Phablets Will Far Outsell Tablets the Next Few Years
Posted: August 5, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Galaxy Alpha, phablets, Samsung, Twitter Leave a commentTablet sales have been dropping, and laptops edging up, but business insider.com says phablets are the big thing. They project phablets will outnumber tablet sales by 3 to 1 by 2018. Many define a phablet as a smartphone with a screen between 5 and 7 inches…not quite the handy pocket or purse size of a 3.5 or 4 inch smartphone, but still small enough to use as a phone, and big enough to negate the need to haul around two devices.
Twitter is testing showing you tweets from random accounts your friends follow. Thenextweb.com reports that it’s just a test, and so could just go away if they decide not to incorporate this alleged feature.
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Alpha smartphone will not just be their first metal clad model. Gigaom.com says they’re ditching Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors for their own Exynos chip…the first Samsung LTE phone to use it. Using their own chips more and more may counteract the drop off from no longer being Apple’s sole supplier of processor chips.
Amazon Muscling In on Angie’s List?
Posted: August 1, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Angie's List, Microsoft, Power Saving, Salesforce Leave a commentIf you need a repair or installation, you probably think of Angie’s List, but soon, giant Amazon may take it to the next level. With their service, you wouldn’t even need to make a phone call, you could book the service right on the website. Reuters.com says they’re already testing in Seattle, LA, and New York.
Speaking of Amazon, when you think of the cloud, they’re the big fish…but maybe not for long. Gigaom.com reports that by year’s end, Microsoft will pass up Amazon Web Services and Salesforce.com in cloud revenue.
Forbes.com has picked up a report from the Consumer Electronics Association and Fraunhofer showing power used by home electronics dropped 12% from 2010 to 2013…mainly due to tablets.
Samsung Finally Going Metal
Posted: July 30, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Galaxy Alpha, Juicebox, Samsung, Square, Zynga Leave a commentSamsung will launch it’s first all metal smartphone, the Galaxy Alpha August 4th. 9to5google.com says it will have a 4.8 inch screen and a fingerprint scanner.
With Amazon making major noise about getting into the mobile payment business, tech crunch.com reports that mobile payment power Square has rolled out a reader for the new (to the US anyway) payment cards with embedded microchips.
Three ex-Zynga developers have snagged 2.5 million for their new game studio Juicebox Games. Their first game release, HonorBound, has 3 million downloads and is already generating revenue for the startup.
A Monitor That Will Focus Without Glasses
Posted: July 24, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Autofocus monitors, GE, iBeacon, Internet of things, Wired home Leave a commentCal Berkeley, MIT, and Microsoft have teamed up to work on an experimental monitor that adjusts, so you don’t need your glasses to see it clearly. If all goes well, it will be out in a couple years for desktops and mobile devices. Because it adjusts to your eyes, no large screens viewed by multiple people are contemplated. Geek.com reports the next step is a Kinect like system to keep the screen in razor sharp focus even when you move around.
Appliance giant GE adds to the wired home and internet of things. Cnet.com says they’ve had connected ovens, but they were built ins over 3 grand. Now, there are WiFi connected freestanding stove and oven models. Still pricey, but half what the built in ones run. Check on that meal from your smartphone or tablet without ever going into the kitchen!
Apple’s iBeacons are paying off big for advertisers. Bgr.com says Hilshire’s American Craft sausages got a 500% increase in sales using the system.
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