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.
Car Tech Helps Deal With Squirmy Kids
Posted: July 21, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: security, Toyota, Xpire Leave a commentThe 2015 Toyota Sienna van will let you use the built in microphone to holler at the kids. Engadget.com says your admonitions to Junior will come through the back speakers.
Immedia Semiconductor has a home security camera on Kickstarter. This one’s half the size of a smartphone, and runs $69. Gigaom.com reports that the killer feature is that it can run on a pair of batteries for a year, like a smoke detector.
There are lots of chat apps that delete your messages, but don’t you wish you could do that easily on Twitter and Facebook sometimes? Geekwire.com says Xpire is an iPhone app that lets you set delete times for your posts on those two social media platforms.
Microsoft Ditches Android
Posted: July 17, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Google, iPhone 6, Microsoft, Nokia Leave a commentBesides laying off thousands, mainly from the Nokia merger, Microsoft is also ‘laying off’ Android. The Nokia Android phones will be switched to Windows Phone and the Lumia brand, according to gigaom.com.
Thenextweb.com reports that the Google Analytics app is now available for iOS. You could already check your web & app data on Android with the app.
Just when you think nothing else can leak out about the iPhone 6, macrumors.com says it will sport a 13 megapixel camera, up from 8 on the 5s.
Another Player Joining the ‘Internet of Things’ Party
Posted: July 16, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Homekit, Kindle, Metromile, Nest, Samsung Leave a commentSamsung is about to join the ‘internet of things’ party, in talks to buy SmartThings for $200 million. Bgr.com reports this would put them in the game with Google’s Nest and Apple’s HomeKit. Another option for those who need to control their appliances, light bulbs, security system, & garage door with their smartphones!
Gigaom.com reports that Amazon is testing a Kindle Unlimited ebook subscription service for $9.99 a month. It gives unlimited access to 600,000 titles and thousands of audiobooks.
Metromile is expanding to California. Techcrunch.com says you plug the gadget into your car, and you can save money on pay-per-mile insurance if you’re one of the 70% of people that drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Keep in mind that 70% of Bay Area drivers DON’T drive less than 10,000 miles a year, though.
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