Looking for a Place to Eat? Check Your Wrist
Posted: April 19, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AdMob, ads, Amazon, Android, Apple, Apple Maps, Apple Watch, DoubleClick, Encryption, Google, Google Display Network, TestDrive, Yelp, YouTube Leave a commentYelp 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.
Strong Galaxy S6 Sales Affect Apple’s Next iPhone Model
Posted: April 18, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Galaxy S6, Google, Halo, Halo Spartan, iPhone, Microsoft, Samsung, TSMC Leave a commentThe strong pre-sales of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge may indirectly hurt future iPhone 6s sales. Bgr.com says Apple had previously announced that the new A9 processors would be built entirely by Samsung, but now Samsung may not be able to keep up with the demand as Galaxy sales pick up. Now, Apple will look to Taiwanese maker TSMC to build 30% of their processor chips. TSMC already builds chips for the present iPhones.
Google now lets you install apps directly from search on Android. According to thenextweb.com, when you search for an app, there’s an install button right with the search results that takes you directly to the Google store and downloads the app.
Microsoft has enjoyed a lot of success with their Halo game franchise. Forbes.com reports that Redmond has released Halo spinoffs for iOS, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, and the gamer favored Steam machines. The 3 Halo Spartan games can be bought in a bundle for $9.99 in the various app stores.
Following LG’s Lead, Samsung Forms An Apple-Specific Display Team
Posted: April 15, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, displays, Huewai, LG, P8, Samsung Leave a commentSamsung is is the strange position of being a major supplier to Apple, one of its biggest rivals. Apple insider.com says they have now joined LG in forming a team dedicated to Apple products. 200 Samsung employees will focus exclusively on displays for Apple.
Huawei, the 4th largest smartphone maker, has just rolled out it’s new flagship, the P8. According to engadget.com, it has a 5.2 inch screen in a metal Apple-like body, and sports a 13 megapixel main camera that can take long exposure shots in low light.
Android devices are everywhere. With the European Union antitrust suit against Google and Google’s response memo, bgr.com reports we now know HOW widely Android is used. Google lists over 18,000 different devices running Android now!
Big Savings on Moto 360 Smart Watch
Posted: April 14, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Call availability, Flat rate, Google, Moto 360, Motorola, Wireless Leave a commentMotorola’s next generation smartwatch has been spotted in the wild, and should be out shortly. Now, engadget.com says the Moto 360 has dropped to $165 at Google’s store. It’s a great looking and working Android smartwatch at 85 bucks off the regular price.
Techcrunch.com reports that Apple has patented a system that uses contextual information like current time zone, ringer silence status, battery life, location and cell network strength to let friends know you’re available for calls. Yes, it IS opt-in!
Google said last month that it was planning a small wireless service that would operate like existing carriers. According to business insider.com, you’d pay a flat rate for talk and text, and pay by the gigabyte, and could switch phones without a sim card.
Next iPhone Will Run on Samsung Processors…Again
Posted: April 4, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: A9, airplanes, Apple, Apple Watch, Auto-capture, Boeing, eco-friendly, Evernote, iPhone, iPhone 7, NASA, Samsung Leave a commentSamsung will be making the A9 chips for the next generation iPhone, according to macrumors.com. There have been conflicting rumors over whether it would be Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor, or a combination. The phone may also be the iPhone 7…Apple may add Force Touch from the Apple Watch to the screen and skip the 6S designation.
The Ubiquitous Evernote has a couple new features for iOS. Thenextweb.com reports that the note-taking app gets new camera functionality and support for the soon-to-be released Apple Watch. You will be able to auto-capture images when you point your camera at documents and business cards in the app.
NASA is teaming up with Boeing to make planes more eco-friendly. Engadget.com says they are experimenting with 31 tiny jets on the tail fin. This adds stability, and allows for a 17% smaller tail, making planes lighter and more fuel efficient.
Coming With Apple TV Update
Posted: March 21, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple TV, Battery life, F8, Facebook, Homekit, Messenger, Siri, Smartwatch, streaming, VEctor Leave a commentThe next version of Apple TV should make its debut at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Thenextweb.com says it will sport a new faster processor, more storage, Siri and HomeKit integration. They are likely to reveal more about their streaming TV service at WWDC, and preview an App Store just for Apple TV.
If you are really considering a smart watch, but worry about the poor battery life most have, bgr.com reports that Vector has a couple models available for preordering now. They claim 30 days of battery life for both the rectangular and round dial versions. A ‘sensor activated notification system’ pulls up notifications with the flick of a wrist. They sell for between $244 and $425.
According to tech crunch.com, next week at their F8 developer conference, Facebook will announce new ways for third parties to offer experiences through its messenger app. Facebook is wanting to turn Messenger into a freestanding platform.
Apple Watch Clones and Knock Offs Already On Sale
Posted: March 15, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Airport lines, Apple, Apple Watch, Blip Systems, Clones, Counterfeit, Cut wait time, Microsoft, Playstation 4, Sony, Xbox One Leave a commentLast week, Apple rolled out the Apple Watch, and within a day, counterfeit versions were on the streets in China. Now, zdnet.com says there are knockoffs in stores and online. One shown on Alibaba is the Airwatch A8 smart wearable watch. It’s a dead ringer, but runs Android, shoots photos and video, and uses a SIM card for independent calling. It’s $76.
There’s not much more frustrating than lines at the airport. Theverge.com reports that Cincinnati International Airport is using a tracking system that picks up the MAC addresses of smartphones anonymously, and has allowed them to cut time in security lines by a third. 20 other airports around the world are using the tech from Blip Systems.
Microsoft cut prices on the Xbox One and beat out Sony during the Christmas season, but now Sony has come roaring back, with the Playstation 4 outselling the Xbox in both January and February. According to Geekwire.com, those two new generation game systems have outsold their predecessors by 60% so far.
Mystery Color & Maybe Third Model of Galaxy S6
Posted: March 12, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Chromebook, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Internet of things, iPhone, Mystery Color, Samsung, USB type C Leave a commentThere’s a lot of buzz about Samsung’s new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, and most features are known, but it looks like Samsung has ‘one more thing.’ Bgr.com says in addition to white, black, pale gold, and either ‘blue topaz’ for the S6 or ‘green emerald’ on the Edge, a mystery 5th color will be revealed later…and maybe a third model!
Apple is moving on the internet of things. A new patent shows an iPhone dock with audio, wireless, a touch sensitive display, and proximity sensors. According to Techcrunch.com, it’s a future control center for your connected Apple home.
Last week, the new Macbook rolled out with just one port…the reversible USB Type C. Now, engadget.com reports that Google is very committed to the multi-use port, and it may be showing up on Android phones and Chromebooks in the very near future.
Analyst: Apple Watch SalesWill Be Strong
Posted: March 7, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Watch, Drones, Gmail, Google, iOS Leave a commentThe Apple Watch will be introduced Monday, and appleinsider.com says a forecast from BMO Capital Markets is for 19 million of the smart watches to sell this year. They predict that half of those will be during the holiday shopping season. BMO also expects that by the end of 2015, there will be more than 484 million iPhone users…nearly a half a billion!
Google has updated Gmail for iOS. 9to5google.com reports that Google has included sheet support, the ability to archive, and the ability to reply to email using notifications. You will also be able to email directly from other apps and attach photos and documents, like with Apple’s native Mail app. It’s in the App Store now.
If drones make you worry about privacy, you may as well start worrying more now. According to bgr.com, Unbox Therapy has a mini-drone that fits in the palm of your hand. The good news is, right now, it’s indoor only…it can’t fly in any amount of wind.
No Mega iPad Until Fall
Posted: March 5, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android Wear, Apple, Blue Link, Galaxy S6, Hyundai, iPad, Samsung, T-Mobile, USB Leave a commentApple is delaying production of the reported 12.9 inch iPad until September according to bloomberg.com. In addition to business tools from IBM, it’s rumored to have a USB port, a first for an iPad.
T-Mobile has spilled the beans about the pricing of the new Samsung Galaxy S6…and bgr.com reports that it’s more expensive than an iPhone! The base 32Gb model will start at $699, 50 bucks more than the cheapest iPhone 6. It’s still expected to be $199 with a contract.
The Blue Link app is out for Hyundai owners. Engadget.com says the app, previewed at CES, will let owners of Hyundais as old as 2012 use Android Wear smart watches to lock and unlock their cars, start and stop the engine, honk the horn, and flash the lights.
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