Microsoft Apps Coming to Android Via Samsung
Posted: February 15, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Aviate, Google Play, iCloud, iWork, Microsoft, Office, Samsung, Skype, Yahoo Leave a commentMicrosoft appears to be making a major move to invade Android’s turf. Business insider.com has picked up a report from Sam Mobile that says Redmond may have cut a deal to have apps like Microsoft Office Mobile, OneNote, OneDrive, and Skype pre-loaded on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6. We’ll know for sure March 1st when the S6 is introduced.
If you’ve been wanting to use Apple iWork apps on other than your home Mac, you’re in luck. Apple has made Pages, Numbers, and Keynote accessible through iCloud Beta to users without an apple device. Mac rumors.com says you get a gig of storage when you sign up for a free iCloud account.
The contextual home screen for Android called Aviate, which changes through the day to suit your needs, has added search outside the US. Engadget.com reports that the app…which was bought by Yahoo last year…is a free download from Google Play.
New Way to Prevent Picture Shake from Apple
Posted: February 14, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Camera, Fraud Prevention, Google, iPhone, Mattel, View Master, Visa Leave a commentThe smartphone camera wars continue to push the envelope in picture taking. Apple has patented a tech called ‘Mirror Tilt Actuation’ for future iPhones. Bgr.com says it will actually tilt the tiny mirror in the camera assembly on future iPhones, to compensate for jitters and hand movement as you shoot that crucial selfie.
Visa is working with a service called Mobile Location Confirmation to use real time data from smartphones, to prevent fraud and so you don’t have to call your bank to let them know you’re traveling…especially out of the country. 9to5google.com reports that the service will be optional though, so check with your own card provider.
Google has partnered with Mattel to bring the venerable View Master into the 21st century. Thenextweb.com says instead of a plastic viewer and stereoscopic round cardboard, it works on Android smartphones, and provides 360 degree, 3D views. It’s out this fall, and $29.99…phone not included!
A ‘Sinister’ Version of the Galaxy Edge
Posted: February 9, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, ControlAir, Edge, EyeSight Camera, Finger Control, Galaxy S6, Mac, Microsoft, Playstation 4, Samsung, Xbox One Leave a commentMore pictures have leaked out of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6, and they show 3 different models. 9to5google.com reports that besides the ‘regular’ S6, there appear to be two Galaxy Edge models. Earlier reports had an Edge with two side screens, but it appears that actually there will be both right and left handed models. Using the edge screen by leftys would otherwise require using the phone upside down! Of course, we won’t really know until Samsung releases them. The phones are still expected to roll out March 1st at Mobile World Congress.
Microsoft just dropped the first big update of the year to the Xbox One. Geekwire.com says it includes a Game Hubs feature, that pulls together game clips, playing tips, leaderboards, and info about friends. Redmond’s idea is to basically create a social network around individual games on the Xbox, with the hope that adding this plus their price cut will help them catch up to the Playstation 4 in sales.
While the venerable keyboard and mouse still rule computer inputs, and voice control is still not ready for prime time, there’s a new app at the Apple App Store that lets you use fingers in thin air. Engadget.com reports that ControlAir works with media apps like iTunes, Spotify, and more. You still have to open the app and start the music or video, but you can stop, start, and mute from across the room. The app uses your EyeSight camera.
Sprint Adds An Apple Bundle For Life Deal
Posted: February 4, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Encrypted, Flash Drive, For Life, Galaxy S6, iPad Mini, iPhone 6, Samsung, Sprint, Toshiba Leave a commentIf you’re big on Apple, and due for an upgrade, Check out Sprint. Engadget.com says an addition to their For Life deals gets you an iPhone 6, an LTE iPad Mini 3, and service for $100 a month. That’s $17 less than separately.
With the Samsung Galaxy S6 due to roll out March 1st, new big leaks that include pictures show a round edged metal chassis like the iPhone 6. Bgr.com reports that It will feature a smaller, thinner battery and an Apple Pay rival.
For transporting most sensitive files, or offsite storage, Toshiba has released a hardware encrypted flash drive, with physical buttons to key in a passcode. Betanews.com says it comes in 4 to 32 gig sizes, and costs from $95 to $200.
Motorola Makes Some Strong Smartphone Gains
Posted: February 3, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple, Google, Lenovo, Motorola, Nest, Radio Shack, Samsung, Sprint Leave a commentThey’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.
The Next HTC Flagship Phone Will Be Two
Posted: January 28, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: App Store, Apple, Google Play, Hima, HTC One M9, Moto X, Motorola, Plus Leave a commentLeaked renderings show the upcoming HTC One M9…code named Hima. 9to5google.com says usually reliable Evan Blass sees a regular and a ‘plus’ size, and the regular one doesn’t have a hardware home button.
It helped sales before, so Motorola is again discounting the Moto X. According to theverge.com, it will be $140 off February 2nd through Valentine’s Day…the same price as Moto had Cyber Monday.
With all the hoopla about Apple’s sales and earnings, here’s something that slipped under the radar. Appliedsider.com says Google Play downloads are growing, but Apple’s App Store still commands 70% of digital storefront revenue.
The Smaller Phone Carriers Duke It Out
Posted: January 24, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Watch, Burberry, Nano-bots, Sprint, Switching, T-Mobile Leave a commentThe carrier wars have escalated. A day after T-Mobile rolled out a program letting loyal customers avoid credit checks, Sprint has unveiled one guaranteeing any T-Mobile customer $200 credit for a working and activated T-Mobile smartphone. 9to5google.com says it’s still not as sweet a deal as Sprint offers switchers from AT&T and Verizon.
According to BGR.com, the upcoming Apple Watch, currently seeing much hand wringing over lack of battery life, will actually be more powerful than the first iPad. Meanwhile, Apple has hired Burberry’s VP of Digital Retail Initiatives. Chester Chipperfield is expected to help reorganize part of Apple’s stores to feature the watch.
Scientists have developed self-destructing nano-bots and implanted them in mice. Engadget.com reports that they are first being used to treat peptic ulcers and other stomach disorders. They can survive the gastrointestinal tract long enough to release medication, then destroy themselves without leaving any trace of harmful chemicals behind. You won’t be turning into a Borg for a while, yet!
Amazon Rolls Out Answer to Apple iBooks Author
Posted: January 22, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple, iBooks, iPad, Keyboard, Kindle, Self-Cleaning, Smart Cover, Textbook Creator Leave a commentThenextweb.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.
New Samsung Design Chief Poached From Jony Ive’s Old Firm
Posted: January 17, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Sony Leave a commentIn the imitation is the greatest form of flattery department, Samsung has hired the former CEO of a design firm founded by Apple’s design wizard Jony Ive. 9to5google.com says Lee Don-tae will oversee all Samsung gadget design, perhaps ditching the cheap looking plastic smartphone cases for something more Apple like.
After dropping prices as a Christmas promotion, Microsoft is again cutting the Xbox One back to $349. Techcrunch.com reports that Redmond hopes to outsell the Sony PS4 again, which they did in both November and December with the lower price. Since the price went back up the first of the month, PS4 once again outsold the Xbox.
Some patents take a while to get into devices, and others never see the light of day. Mac rumors.com says Apple has patented a pop up home button for iPhones and iPads that can work as a joy stick for gaming. It would still retain its normal functions like Touch ID.
MacBook Air Will Gain An Inch But Lose Girth
Posted: January 13, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Automatic, Google Play, MacBook Air, Nest, ODB port, USB type C Leave a commentApple will reportedly release a 12 inch Macbook Air before April. Geek.com says it will replace the 11 inch model, and..as rumored…will be even slimmer and drop all ports but a USB type C for charging and other connections.
You can already turn your Nest thermostat from ‘away’ to heating from your phone, but engadget.com reports Automatic has a car tracker that plugs into the ODB port of your car to do it hands free. It’s $100. The dongle also tracks your driving and helps save fuel.
According to appFigures, Google Play passed up Apple’s App Store in the number of new apps for the first time in 2014. Techcrunch.com says Google Play also now has more developers building its apps…388,000 to Apple’s 282,000.
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