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.

New Samsung Design Chief Poached From Jony Ive’s Old Firm

Posted: January 17, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

In 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 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple 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.

The Internet of Things & Your Local Watering Hole

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

The internet of things hits the local pub. Geekwire.com says Steady Serve technologies showed the iKeg at CES this week. It lets bartenders know how much beer is left in a keg. No more lifting and shaking 100 pound kegs!

9to5google.com reports that Samsung will rollout a round faced smartwatch at Mobile World Congress next month. It’s code named Orbis, and runs Samsung’s Tizen system, not Android, and is aimed ‘squarely’ at Motorola’s Moto 360.

Even though they love to hate each other, Samsung and Apple are still partners. Macrumors.com says Samsung will supply the processor, RAM, flash memory, and other internals for the upcoming Apple Watch.

Apple’s HomeKit Won’t Need Apple TV- Except to Use Siri

Posted: January 10, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment


More is out about Apple’s Home Kit. The good news is, it won’t need Apple TV for a hub. Cnet.com says the downside is that it needs Apple TV to use Siri to control it from outside your network. That may be temporary, according to Homekit partners.

Bgr.com reports that GoPro’s Hero 4 cameras are about to get better. The Silver and Black editions are getting a firmware upgrade in a couple months that auto converts time lapses into videos, and gives you burst mode and auto rotate.

Stereo maker Harman has rolled out a touchscreen free Carplay competitor called Integrated Essentials Cockpit. 9to5mac.com says It puts the controls on your steering wheel, and the display is centered between the speedometer and tachometer. So far, no word on what car makers may use it.

Apple Now Selling Unlocked, SIM-less iPhone 6 in the US

Posted: January 6, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple is starting to sell unlocked iPhone 6 and 6 Plus without SIMs in the US. Techcrunch.com says there’s no difference in pricing…the 6 will start at $649 and the Plus at $749 unlocked and SIM free.

Thenextweb.com reports that all Sony 2015 Bravia TVs will run on the Android TV system. This means they will all be able to use Google’s new ‘cast’ technology for wireless music streaming.

Toshiba has announced that their newest Canvio portable hard drives will stash up to 3 terabytes of your stuff. Engadget.com says to expect to pay a bit more than for similar desktop drives.

A Smartphone Maker Besides Apple Had a Banner Year

Posted: December 31, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple’s not the only smartphone maker with big increases in 2014. Reuters.com says Huawei’s smartphone sales are up 40%, and revenues by a third. They shipped 75 million smartphones in 2014.

9to5mac.com reports that iPhone 6 users are finding that cards can’t be added back into Apple Pay after a restore of the phone. So far, the only fix is for Apple to replace the phone.

A $2000 light bulb will be out in May. Developed by Dyson, of vacuum and fan fame, it lasts 40 years. Bgr.com says the LED lamp will save enough energy to be worth it in difficult to access commercial spots like airport and mall ceilings.

Samsung Continues to Move Out of High End Smartphones

Posted: December 29, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Samsung continues to regroup, and now will drop one of their best phones,  the metal Galaxy Alpha, in favor of cheaper phones. Theverge.com says poor battery life and the cost doomed the model.

Riding on the success of Apple Pay in the US, the Cupertino giant is in talks to launch the smartphone based NFC payment system in Britain in the first half of 2015. Macrumors.com reports that banks there may be an easier sell than users.

Kim Dotcom’s company Mega may be getting ready to launch a fully encrypted video call service. Thenextweb.com says the browser based service will include high speed file transfers.

Apple May Add a 4 Inch Model to the iPhone 6S

Posted: December 23, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

After going big with the iPhone 6 Plus, Apple is rumored to be looking at a return to a 4 inch model with an iPhone 6S Mini. Appleinsider.com says an analyst at Cowen and Company indicates it would have specs like last year’s iPhone 5S. This would be the first time Apple has had 3 different sizes of a current model if it happens.

Techcrunch.com reports that Samsung has released Look At Me, and app for autistic kids. It’s supposed to help kids to make better eye contact. Developed by South Korean psychologists and professors, it’s on Google Play.

App maker Confide is offering services to entertainments, labels, and networks. Cnet.com says their app has end to end encryption, and automatically self destructs…leaving no embarrassing email trail. No word on whether Sony has reached out to them.

Magnetic Accessories Don’t Agree with iPhone 6

Posted: December 15, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

9to5mac.com cautions to stay away from accessories with magnets for iPhone 6 and 6 plus. They interfere with the camera and NFC…better known as Apple Pay.

Indiegogo has launched a new service called Life, for funding life events and raising money for individuals…not charities. Engadget.com says it will be a good option to help a family in need.

Users that signed up for Skype Translator can now give it a go. Thenextweb.com says real time translation is live between English and Spanish for voice, adding to the 40 languages via instant message.

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