Apple Patents Way For iPhones to Minimize Drop Damage
Posted: December 2, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple TV, Blockly, Chromecast, dropping, Google, iPhone, Made With Code, National Park Service, patent, Roku, streaming Leave a commentApple has patented a system that makes your phone turn in mid-drop, almost like a cat, to minimize damage from dropping. Techcrunch.com says it an older vibration motor than the iPhone 6 and 6+, so a variation may make it into future phones.
The first three quarters of this year, 10 percent of households with broadband bought at least one streaming player, according to cnet.com. Roku still leads the pack with 29% of streaming, with Google’s Chromecast at 20%, and Apple TV at 17%.
Google is partnering with the National Park Service to let kids program and animate the Christmas trees at the White House’s President’s park. Engadget.com says the Made with Code Holiday Lights Project is in the simple Blockly language.
Amazon Tablets & E-Readers On Fire
Posted: December 1, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple, Chromebook, e-books, e-reader, Fire, Google, iPad, libraries, tablet 3 CommentsGeekwire.com says Amazon Fire tablet sales tripled and e-reader sales almost quadrupled on Black Friday. Amazon was the #3 tablet seller last holiday season, but then fell off to 5th. No word on the hapless Fire phone’s sales.
Speaking of e-readers, gizmodo.com reports that 95% of US public libraries now carry e-books. This is according to a survey by Library journal, and it’s an increase from 89% that checked out e-books last year. Most carry a little over 20,000 e-titles.
Apple’s tablet sales have slowed up to now, and 9to5google.com says Google sold more Chromebooks to US schools third quarter than Apple sold them iPads. Chromebook’s $199 price is given as the primary reason.
Will Apple Replace Google for Search On iPhones Next Year?
Posted: November 25, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Bing, Blackberry, Google, iPhone, Microsoft, Oculus, Passport, Samsung, Yahoo Leave a commentA big fight behind the scenes over your iPhone. Theinformation.com says Apple’s deal with Google is up next year, and Yahoo and Microsoft are scrapping to become the default search engine. Siri already relies on Bing for its (or her) search results!
Would you like to get $550 trade-in for your iPhone? Blackberry is offering up to that amount to switch to a Blackberry Passport. Thenextweb.com reports it varies by model, and $150 of it is on a Visa prepaid card, from December through next February.
The Gear VR virtual reality visor is just a start, and more joint Oculus and Samsung products are coming. Cnet.com says that’s according to Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe.He declined to be specific, except to hint about ‘storytelling.’
Samsung Joins Apple Chasing the In Store Beacon Biz
Posted: November 13, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Watch, G-3, iBeacon, LG, Proximity, Samsung Leave a commentNot wanting to cede mall business entirely to Apple’s iBeacon, Samsung has introduced Proximity. Engadget.com says unlike Apple’s iBeacon, which takes an app, Samsung will serve in store ads on the system level.
Cnet.com reports that LG has snagged it’s highest ever market share in North America…16.3 percent. That’s more than double the 7.4 of a year ago, and mainly due to the LG G-3 flagship phone.
Chip suppliers for the Apple Watch are gearing up to start production. Apple insider.com picked up a report from DigiTimes that says indications are for 30 to 40 million Apple Watches. It’s expected out in the spring.
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.
That Nicer Apple Watch Will Be Pricey
Posted: November 5, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Ahrendts, Apple, Apple Watch, Dell, Google Wallet, Microsoft, Surface Pro, Venue Pro 11 Leave a commentIf you really want an Apple watch, start saving pennies now…macrumors.com says the stainless steel model may be $500, and the gold version over 4 grand. Senior VP of Retail and Online Stores Angela Ahrendts says expect them in the spring.
Google Wallet has gotten a nice boost from all the buzz about Apple Pay. 9to5google.com reports that users have now doubled, and payments have grown by 50% since Apple Pay was introduced.
Dell’s just showed it’s updated Venue Pro 11 tablet, and engadget.com says it’s thinner and lighter than Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablet! The Venue pro 11 has a 10.8 inch screen and starts at $699.
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.
New Moto Droid Doubles Down On A Monster Battery
Posted: October 23, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Droid Turbo, Ford, Foxconn, iPhone, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp Leave a commentBgr.com says the Motorola Droid Turbo will be unveiled next week on Verizon. It has the specs you’d expect from a flagship smartphone, and appears a bit thick. The turbo has a 3900 milliamp/hour battery…more than TWICE the power of an iPhone 6!
Speaking of Apple, primary supplier Foxconn is angling to build future iPhone displays, and get a bigger piece of the ‘Apple pie’. 9to5mac.com reports they’re in discussions to build a new factory and take the business from Sharp, LG, and Samsung.
The auto world rolls on towards the self-driving car. According to engadget.com, Ford will introduce smart braking to some 2015 European models. The option uses cameras and radar to effect stops and avoid crashes.
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.
New Nexus’ from Google…and Android Lollypop
Posted: October 15, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon Cloud Drive, Android Lollypop, Apple, Google, iPad Air 2, Nexus, Retina iMac Leave a commentGoogle has stopped selling the Nexus 5, 7, and 10, which tips their hand that rumored new smart devices are on the way. The Nexus 6 packs a 6 inch screen, and is available for preorder later this month. Geek.com notes that the latest version of Android is Android L, which stands for Lollypop!
With Apple’s event tomorrow, macrumors.com says KGI Securities predicts initial iPad Air 2 supplies will be tight, the iPad Mini will just be a minor upgrade, and the expected 27 inch Retina iMac will ship before the end of the year.
Amazon has integrated their Cloud Drive with Amazon Instant Video. You can store up to 5 gigs of your pictures, videos, documents, etc for free, according to thenextweb.com.
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