Tesla May Build Convenience Stores At Superchargers; Apple May Keep Some LCD Screen iPhones; Now YOU Can Have a $350 Smart Jacket

Posted: September 25, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tesla is adding still more Superchanger charging stations this year, and now it appears they may add small convenience stores so you can refill yourself (or empty your tank!) while you wait on the car to charge. According to engadget.com, Tesla’s CTO JB Straubel showed mockups at the FSTEC food tech conference last week. The company is already working with some restaurants on installing some charging stations along the roadways.

A report out of Korea says Apple is thinking of ditching the smaller 5.28 inch iPhone next year in favor of a bigger LCD screen phone with over 6 inches of screen real estate. Up to now, most analysts have thought Apple would switch all iPhones to OLED screens eventually. 9to5mac.com reports that orders for the bigger LCD panels have already been placed with Japan Display. The same report indicates that there will be 2 iPhones with the OLED screens like the iPhone X, however. It’s early, and just one report, so a little skepticism is in order on this one!

Ever wanted to control your smart devices from your jacket? That time has arrived. The Google powered Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket is finally out. Thenextweb.com says it uses Bluetooth and touch sensitive controls that allow you to play and pass music, get directions over your phone audio, and read incoming messages. It all works with touch sensitive fabric around the cuff, and is powered by a snap tag on one of the cuffs. (Watch someone wash it without removing the tag and ruin it right after they get it.) The real questions are: 1) would you wear a denim trucker jacket if you want to play with touch sensitive controls on your sleeve, and 2) would you drop $350 bucks on it? If so, it’s on sale Wednesday at select shops, and online next week at levis.com.

Samsung Kills Note 7; Amazon Considers Convenience Stores; Apple Patents Super Resolution Multi-Sensor Cam; Ridiculous Rich Kids App

Posted: October 11, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

After suspending production and halting sales, Samsung has killed production of the Galaxy Note 7. 9to5google.com notes that since a number of the allegedly ‘safe’ Notes also caught fire, and US carriers stopped selling it, there was really no way to save the handset. Samsung shares dropped 8% on the news, and as of this writing are down another 9.5%. The Galaxy Note 8 is due out in just a few months, and it remains to be seen if that can save face for Samsung.

Amazon, which has already caused great disruption to retail, is now thinking of adding brick and mortar convenience stores in addition to drive up grocery sites. Geekwire.com reports that they are scouting for locations. The outlets would carry perishables like milk, meat, and produce, and you could order other less perishable items for same day delivery with your phone or touch screens in the store. The stores would be open only to AmazonFresh customers.

On the heels of the new iPhone 7 Plus with the dual cameras and all, Apple has updated a patent from last year for ‘super resolution’ multi-sensor cameras with cube prisms. Yes, I know that sounds like I just rattled off some futuristic gadget from Star Trek. According to appleinsider.com, instead of filters, the system would split light into red, blue, and green that would be directed to different sensors. Smartphone cameras right now only use a single sensor. The prisms help jam the works into an iPhone….the whole rig would resemble a tiny periscope. No word when this super resolution cam might actually make it into an iPhone.

The running joke ‘there’s an app for that’ has maybe jumped the shark. Thenextweb.com says something of an ‘anti-Facebook’ app has launched. Instead of lots of friends, it’s the world’s most exclusive social network…Rich Kids. It costs $1000 a month to belong. An unintended punchline: you can sign up with your Facebook account! Apparently, regular folks can view the app, but just can’t post or share photos on it. Wanna check it out? Go ahead…I’m going to pass on this one.