Looking for a Place to Eat? Check Your Wrist

Posted: April 19, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yelp has announced an Apple Watch app with local listings and reviews. 9to5mac.com says you will see the majority of the info you’re used to seeing about eateries right on the small screen, without having to fish in your pocket or purse for your phone. As with the Yelp smartphone app, the Watch app is integrated with Apple Maps, too.

Google has announced that it’s encrypting the vast majority of its search ads and YouTube ads….finally. TechCrunch.com notes that gmail was encrypted back in 2008. The new HTTPS encryption will apply to Google Display Network, AdMob, and DoubleClick, and will be in place by June 30th.

Amazon is dropping one of the coolest features of its Android app store. Engadget.com reports they are killing TestDrive, the try before you buy feature where you could run apps on a virtual machine, and compare them before downloading. Amazon points to the fact that the vast majority of apps are free now anyway as the reason for dropping the service.

Google Plans Apple Watch Access from Android

Posted: April 12, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Google seems poised to pull something clever regarding the Apple Watch. Businessinsider.com notes they may be building support for the iPhone into their Android Wear smartwatch software. The present Android wear smartwatches only work with Android phones, and of course Apple Watch only talks to iPhones.

According to forbes.com, Paypal will be allowed to work with Amazon and Alibaba after the split from eBay later this year. The parent company has been positioning Paypal as a ‘true neutral third party’ to commerce and retail clients. In the short term, eBay will remain Paypal’s biggest client, however.

Microsoft has launched without fanfare a new Android app that lets you control Powerpoint presentations on a PC from your Android smartphone. Thenextweb.com reports says the Office Remote app also works with Excel and Word. The remote app has previously only been available on Windows phones.

Amazon has quietly acquired Shoefitr, a startup that uses 3D tech to help match online shoppers with shoes that will fit them better. TechCrunch.com says it’s unclear so far if they will operate it as a freestanding site, roll it into their Zappos subsidiary, or both.

Combined Touch Screen Router & Connected Home Hub Cuts Clutter

Posted: April 1, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

While Amazon thinks you want an Amazon ‘Dash’ button everywhere to order things in your connected home, Almond is going the other way…combining a router and smart home hub into one. Engadget.com says two touchscreen models use the Zigbee smart home system, with the $199 Almond Plus having 2 bands and covering 5000 square feet.

Appleinsider.com reports that Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster predicts a million Apple Watches will sell over the launch weekend. He also sees them selling 2.3 million by June.

Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge support wireless charging. According to research firm IHS, total wireless power receiver shipments were 55 million last year, and will hit 120 million in 2015. They predict a whopping 2 BILLION by 2024!

Microsoft Surface 3 Grows Up

Posted: March 31, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Microsoft has just unveiled the latest version of their Surface 3 tablet. The verge.com says the $499 tablet may have cracked the code this time…it has an Intel Atom chip instead of an ARM processor, and will run full Windows 8.1 and apps like the Surface Pro or a laptop.

Techcrunch.com reports that Amazon has launched a dedicated STEM toy shop. Toys for all ages focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math skills are featured.

WhatsApp has been updated for Android. According to thenextweb.com, you can now make and receive voice calls. It’s in the Google Play store now. WhatsApp says an iOS version will be out in a few weeks.

iOS Update Creates Battery Suck…But The Fix Is Easy

Posted: March 11, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If 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.’

LG’s Urbane Smartwatch Gains Independent Phoning

Posted: February 26, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

LG has upgraded it’s new Watch Urbane already. Engadget.com says it can call on LTE without a phone, make NFC payments, and use mobile data…but it has a third the battery life of a phone. It also has a two way radio feature-calling Dick Tracy! LG will show more of it at Mobile World Congress in March.

Future iPhones will be harder than ever for thieves to unload. BGR.com reports that Apple has patented a feature that requires the passcode to shutdown. Otherwise, the phone LOOKS shut down, but still transmits its location to Find My iPhone.

Amazon has filed patents for actual on demand delivery. According to Geekwire.com, they would print at a warehouse or even show up with a truck, and 3D print the item for you on the spot.

Wireless Charging Coming with Samsung Galaxy S6?

Posted: February 12, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Another leak about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6, and this one’s a biggie. Bgr.com picked up a story from Korean site Naver that says the S6 and S6 Edge will come with support for wireless charging that’s compatible with many existing wireless charging systems.

Amazon has announced that Sling TV is now supported by its Fire TV set top box and HDMI stick. TechCrunch.com reports that you can get a fat hardware discount, too…if you prepay for 3 months of Sling, get $50 off the $100 price of Fire TV or the Stick for free!

You probably have a few Facebook friends’ accounts that are still out there, even though they’ve left this mortal coil. Thenextweb.com reports that Facebook is introducing a Legacy Contact people can designate to continue limited aspects of the account. It’s rolling out in the US now.

Motorola Makes Some Strong Smartphone Gains

Posted: February 3, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

They’re not up there with the big boys like Apple and Samsung, but Motorola did sell 10 million smartphones last quarter. 9to5google.com says that’s up 118 percent! Lenovo says the division will be profitable in a year and a half.

Apparently, Sprint isn’t the only company interested in some of Radio Shack’s 4000 locations. According to gigaom.com, Amazon is looking at dipping its toe into brick and mortar retail. It could show off it’s mobile and living room gadgets with the locations, which could also serve as a physical pick up and drop off for packages.

Citing 3 studies, Google’s Nest claims the learning thermostat pays for itself in less than 2 years with savings on heating and cooling. TechCrunch says heating costs dropped by an average 10-12 percent, cooling by 15 percent.

Amazon Rolls Out Answer to Apple iBooks Author

Posted: January 22, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thenextweb.com says Amazon has released it’s Kindle Textbook Creator. A beta that will help educators get their materials onto Kindles is out today. Unlike Apple’s iBooks Author, the Amazon tool can create publications for Android, iPads, Macs, and PCs.

Apple has patented a smarter smart cover. Apple insider.com reports that users could access information by partially opening the smart cover, or use gestures on it to control iPads inside. It could mean less physical buttons on future iPads.

It sounds si-fi, but researchers at UC Riverside, Georgia Institute of Technology, and in China have developed a keyboard that converts strokes into energy, protects your computer from hackers, and is self-cleaning. Cnet.com says no word on when it might be on the market.

Samsung Tizen Phone Coming Soon

Posted: December 22, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

After 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.

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →