A Smartwatch NOT Coming From a Tech Company
Posted: August 6, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, AT&T, Qualcomm, Timex, Twitter Leave a commentIt’s not just tech companies chasing the smart watch market. AT&T has announced the Timex GPS One Plus. Gigaom.com says it’s powered by Qualcomm, and will synch running data and handle short messages. It’s $400, and has a year of free 3G service.
There’s more from Twitter…they may be adding e-commerce. A dormant setting for ‘payment and shipping’ has showed up in the Android app. Thenextweb.com reports that some have also seen a Buy Now button in tweets.
No chords OR batteries may be the future. Apple has patented a way to power keyboards and mice magnetically. Appleinsider.com says it will run accessories up to 3 feet away from the computer.
Phablets Will Far Outsell Tablets the Next Few Years
Posted: August 5, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Galaxy Alpha, phablets, Samsung, Twitter Leave a commentTablet sales have been dropping, and laptops edging up, but business insider.com says phablets are the big thing. They project phablets will outnumber tablet sales by 3 to 1 by 2018. Many define a phablet as a smartphone with a screen between 5 and 7 inches…not quite the handy pocket or purse size of a 3.5 or 4 inch smartphone, but still small enough to use as a phone, and big enough to negate the need to haul around two devices.
Twitter is testing showing you tweets from random accounts your friends follow. Thenextweb.com reports that it’s just a test, and so could just go away if they decide not to incorporate this alleged feature.
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Alpha smartphone will not just be their first metal clad model. Gigaom.com says they’re ditching Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors for their own Exynos chip…the first Samsung LTE phone to use it. Using their own chips more and more may counteract the drop off from no longer being Apple’s sole supplier of processor chips.
A Monitor That Will Focus Without Glasses
Posted: July 24, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Autofocus monitors, GE, iBeacon, Internet of things, Wired home Leave a commentCal Berkeley, MIT, and Microsoft have teamed up to work on an experimental monitor that adjusts, so you don’t need your glasses to see it clearly. If all goes well, it will be out in a couple years for desktops and mobile devices. Because it adjusts to your eyes, no large screens viewed by multiple people are contemplated. Geek.com reports the next step is a Kinect like system to keep the screen in razor sharp focus even when you move around.
Appliance giant GE adds to the wired home and internet of things. Cnet.com says they’ve had connected ovens, but they were built ins over 3 grand. Now, there are WiFi connected freestanding stove and oven models. Still pricey, but half what the built in ones run. Check on that meal from your smartphone or tablet without ever going into the kitchen!
Apple’s iBeacons are paying off big for advertisers. Bgr.com says Hilshire’s American Craft sausages got a 500% increase in sales using the system.
Microsoft Ditches Android
Posted: July 17, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Google, iPhone 6, Microsoft, Nokia Leave a commentBesides laying off thousands, mainly from the Nokia merger, Microsoft is also ‘laying off’ Android. The Nokia Android phones will be switched to Windows Phone and the Lumia brand, according to gigaom.com.
Thenextweb.com reports that the Google Analytics app is now available for iOS. You could already check your web & app data on Android with the app.
Just when you think nothing else can leak out about the iPhone 6, macrumors.com says it will sport a 13 megapixel camera, up from 8 on the 5s.
Large iPhone 6 Delay & Makerbot Printers at Home Depot
Posted: July 14, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Bittorrent, Home Depot, Makerbot, Paywall Leave a commentApple may have to delay the larger 5.5 inch iPhone 6 until after October according to 9to5mac.com. A research note from usually reliable KGI Securities says supply problems with the in-cell touch panels is the reason.
In a major turnabout, Bittorrent is dabbling with paywalls. They will charge $10 for an 8 episode sci-fi series after a person watches the pilot episode. Engadget.com notes that this is risky, considering how set Bittorrent users are with getting things for free.
Makerbot 3D printers will be sold and demoed in 12 Home Depot stores, including some here in California. Techcrunch.com says soon you may be able to print an odd hinge or part on the spot!
Roll Up That…TV Screen?
Posted: July 10, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Chromecast, Google, LG, OLED, Samsung, TV Leave a commentLG has just revealed OLED display panels that are flexible and rollable! 9to5google.com says they can make them up to 50 inches now, and shooting for 60 inches by 2017. You probably won’t want to roll up your TV, but it’s a move to much lighter, thinner sets!
On the subject of TVs, bgr.com reports that Google has added a phone and tablet mirroring feature to Chromecast. Whatever you’re doing on your smart device, you can now put up on your big TV screen!
In a move to diversify, Apple is getting the first batch of processors from Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC. Up to now, Samsung has been the sole iOS processor supplier, according to gigaom.com.
Microsoft Hopes This is a Killer Feature for Windows Phone
Posted: July 8, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Microsoft, Sony Leave a commentMicrosoft is working on something of a killer app to woo users to Windows Phones. Gigaom.com says it’s new virtual machine software that will run your Android apps. A new version should be out in time for the next update to Android.
Apple may have dropped glass backs for iPhones, but hasn’t given up on glass. Appleinsider.com reports they have patented a method of building seamless, all glass iOS devices, monitors, and TVs.
Sony is trying to ride the selfie wave…bgr.com saysThe Xperia C3 phablet has a 5 megapixel front facing camera complete with flash, and it ships in August.
Android Wear Gets a Smartphone App
Posted: July 3, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 3D printing, Android, Apple, Google, security Leave a commentAndroid Wear, Google’s smart watch system, now has a companion app, according to tech crunch.com. The app lets you configure your smart watch on your Android phone’s bigger screen.
Engadget.com reports that scientists at Stanford, Harvard, MIT, and University of Sydney have gotten past a major hurdle in printing 3D organ replacements. They can now also print the blood vessels in them.
Apple has a new patent to make your devices more secure. 9t05mac.com says it automatically configures security and other settings of a device based on biosensors that determine the location and habits of the user.
Google for Dinner and Call for Reservations From Your PC
Posted: June 19, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Google, Microsoft, Sharp Leave a commentGetting the jump a bit on Apple’s upcoming Yosemite system, Google search now allows you to call stores from your PC. Engadget.com says the Hangouts calling option will make it as easy as on your Android phone.
With preorders now on for the imminent Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet, tech crunch.com says they’ve cut prices on the Surface Pro 2 by $100 to $200, depending on the configuration.
Sharp has announced what they call the free form display…the circuitry is all through it, not just in bezels at the sides. The verge.com says this allows curves and angles. One of the first uses may be in car instrument panels.
Sapphire Glass on All iPhone 6 Models
Posted: June 16, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, BBM, Blackberry, iPhone, Sapphire, Steam, Valve Leave a commentEarlier rumors have said Apple would only be able to use sapphire glass on its larger iPhone 6, but macrumors.com now says there’s enough for the 4.7 inch iPhone 6, the 5.5 inch model, AND the iWatch, with room to spare. The nearly unbreakable screen will be welcomed by klutzy or unlucky iPhone users.
Still looking for an angle to claw back market share, Blackberry has launched BlackBerry Messenger Protected. Techcrunch.com reports its a confidential instant messaging system. It’s primarily aimed at government, government contractors, corporations, and law firms that have extra concern about secure messaging.
No Steam gaming machines from Valve or any of its suppliers this year, but geek.com says a team is working on a handheld dubbed the Steamboy to be out early next year. It’s not expected to be robust enough to play the most robust games, but hey…it’s portable.
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