Beats Solo 2 Headphones Cut the Cord
Posted: November 12, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple, Beats, Bluetooth, Cat, Drones, Solo 2, Tailio Leave a commentBeats best selling Solo 2 headphones have cut the cord. Gigaom.com says the wireless Bluetooth phones should last 12 hours on a charge, and are $299. There’s no Apple branding, and they charge with Micro USB, not Apple’s Lightning cable.
For the cat lover with everything, there’s Tailio…a $100 net connected scale that sits under the letterbox. Engadget.com reports the kickstarter device weighs kitty, and tells you when to change the box…if your nose hasn’t already!
Last summer Amazon asked permission from the FAA to test drone deliveries. Now, not content to wait on the US, thenextweb.com says they’re planning to start testing in Britain.
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.
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.
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.
Microsoft Smartwatch Out Soon, Will Work With Multiple OS’s
Posted: October 20, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple, Kindle Voyage, Microsoft, Smartwatch Leave a commentAccording to geekwire.com, Microsoft plans to release it’s own health tracking smart watch in the next few weeks. It will be unique in that it will be able to work not only on Windows, but on iOS and Android. It will also talk with Microsoft’s X Box One.
If you really, really like your books on an e-reader and not a tablet, Amazon has just dropped the Kindle Voyage. Arstechnica.com reports that it’s sharp and crisp, can last 30 days on a charge, but priced from $199 to $289!
Apple is pressing to get Beats Music prices down to $5 a month. 9to5mac.com says Apple wants to keep the Beats Music Service brand, but the pricing matches what the best iTunes customers spend a year on music. No date has been set for the relaunch.
Preorders Starting for the Granddaddy of Phablets
Posted: September 18, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple, Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Leave a commentSamsung’s newest Galaxy Note 4, the one that started the phablet craze, goes on sale October 17th. Preorders start tomorrow. Gigaom.com says no word yet if it will be joined by the Galaxy Note Edge, with that small right edge display.
U-2’s Bono has let it slip that Apple is working on a new digital music format with them. Macrumors.com reports that features of the new format will help musicians to sell more of their music.
Theverge.com says that…along with yesterday’s Kindle announcements, Amazon announced Family Library. It lets household members share Books, apps, Prime Instant videos, audiobooks, and games — but no music, movies, or TV shows.
A Preemptive Strike at Apple Watch From LG
Posted: September 10, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, G Watch, Google Play, LG, Microsoft, Prime Instant Video, Xbox One Leave a commentAnother tech company makes a preemptive strike at the yet to be released Apple Watch. 9to5google.com says LG has cut the price of the G Watch temporarily to $180 at Google Play.
Prime Instant Video from Amazon is now available on Android phones in the US, Britain, and Germany, according to techcrunch.com. You have to update their app, and download their video player to use it, though.
Microsoft has begun quietly replacing some excessively noisy Xbox One systems. Geek.com says this is after months of complaints on their official forums.
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.
Your Take Out Coming From Amazon
Posted: June 26, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 3D, Amazon, Costco, Intel, iPhone Leave a commentThey seem to do everything else…now geekwire.com says Amazon is experimenting with carry out food delivery. They’ll start in the Seattle area first…expect a slow rollout like with their grocery delivery.
Businessinsider.com reports that Intel has a project called RealSense that uses 3D tech for the computer to sense if you’re having a good day or a bad day. It also recognizes up to 10 finger gestures.
After a messy breakup a few years ago, t-gaap.com says Costco has once again started selling iPhones as of today…with discounts of up to $120.
clarkreid 
Recent Comments