Uber Settlement Keeps Drivers as Contractors; Google I/O Highlights Virtual Reality
Posted: April 22, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Augmented reality, Google, I/O, Independent contractors, Lyft, Settlement, Tips, Uber, Virtual Reality, VR Leave a commentUber has settled a couple class action suits in California and Massachusetts that will eventually play out 100 million to drivers, but keeps them classified as independent contractors, and not employees. Cnet.com says it will also set up a ‘driver association’ to address driver concerns, and a key point is that Uber won’t be able to terminate drivers at will, and they will have to establish appeals panels for those who feel they have been terminated unfairly. Drivers will also be able to post signs to ask for tips. Lyft has already allowed for driver tipping. They also won’t be allowed to terminate drivers for turning down rides when logged in, which was considered a key issue in considering drivers as employees.
Google I/O is a month away, and much of the schedule has been posted. According to arstechnica.com, a large swath of time will be dedicated to virtual reality talks. VR is an entire content track at I/O this year, with 7 sessions dedicated to virtual or augmented reality…including one called ‘Google’s Vision for VR.’ The keynote for this year’s Google I/O is May 18th at 10am Pacific.
Body Scanning Fitness Mirror; Google Hybrid Fiber/Wireless Service to Extend Fast Internet
Posted: April 14, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Fiber, Fiber/wireless hybrid, Google, Naked 3D Fitness Tracker, Naked Labs Leave a commentA San Francisco startup called Naked Labs is taking preorders for something everybody probably needs, but no one really wants. According to techcrunch.com, it’s a 3D body scanning system called the Naked 3D Fitness Tracker. It’s an internet connected full length mirror that plugs into a wall outlet, and a rechargeable scale. The body scans are displayed in grayscale, and show data about how you’re improving or sliding in your quest to get more fit. Scans take about 20 seconds, and the system can store data for 8 users. It’s $499 at naked dot fit, but won’t ship until next March. All it needs now is a voice assistant to say ‘get your butt back to the gym!
Google loves to push tech forward, and now, they are working to create a Fiber/Wireless hybrid service, to extend Fiber’s reach beyond cities. 9to5google.com reports that it involves connecting wireless towers to existing fiber lines, and also experimenting with different wireless tech. It will expand fast connections to areas where it’s not economically practical to run fiber optic lines.
We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ AR Headsets; Amazon & Microsoft Look to Mapping for Self-Driving Cars
Posted: April 7, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, AR, Audi, Autonomous cars, BMW, Contact Lenses, Digital Mapping, Google, Mercedes, Microsoft, Nokia, Novartis, Samsung, VR Leave a commentHaving just recently had a conversation with a couple of friends in tech about how everyone is excited about virtual and augmented reality, but no one all that much about wearing big, bulky headsets, this caught my eye immediately…and it may be catching your eyes sooner, not later, and immersing them in VR and AR. Cnet.com reports Samsung has gotten a patent for smart contact lenses that will house a camera, movement sensors, transmitter, and display unit. They work in conjunction with a smartphone. You can look at photos and videos from the phone through the lenses. Google is also working along with medical provider Novartis on some smart contacts, albeit ones centering around health. Shrinking VR and AR down to contacts and earbuds? Now THAT’s something that can really take virtual reality mass market!
According to a report, both Amazon and Microsoft are close to getting involved with Here, the digital mapping business for autonomous vehicles. Here was started by Nokia, but bought by a group of German car makers….Mercedes, BMW, & Audi. Theverge.com says a board member at Daimler-parent of Mercedes-confirmed that both Amazon and Microsoft were interested in providing cloud computing capabilities for the mounds of data being gathered by Here’s sensors for autonomous vehicles.
Leak-HTC 10 More Powerful than Galaxy S7 and iPhone 6S; Google’s Echo Clone & Nest Security System
Posted: March 25, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon Echo, Benchmark, Galaxy S7, Google, HTC, HTC 10, iPhone 6S, Nest, Security System, Siri Leave a commentAfter disappointing with the M One 9, HTC looks poised to come roaring back and nip at Samsung and Apple with the HTC 10. The 10…they’ve dropped the ‘M’ designation…will be revealed April 10th, but a couple of big leaks shed a great looking phone, and one that tests out better by benchmarked AnTuTu than either the Samsung Galaxy S7 or Apple’s iPhone 6S. It has a 5.1 inch screen, 12 Mp cam with laser-assisted autofocus, and 4 gigs of RAM.
Google is apparently working on a voice recognition device that competes with Amazon Echo…basically Siri in a box. According to arstechnica.com, Google already has the voice tech in place from Android and google.com, so now they’re working on baking it into a box. It’s code named ‘Chirp.’ They are also working on a security system from Nest with a wireless hub dubbed ‘Flintstone’ for now. The hub would connect with window and door sensors using the low power Thread communication standard. As with a lot of projects, these may or may not be released by Google.
Apple’s iPhone SE & Smaller iPad Pro, etc; Chromecast Becomes Googlecast
Posted: March 22, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Watch, Chromecast, Google, Googlecast, iPad Pro, iPhone SE, Vizio Leave a commentIf there was a ‘one more thing’ at Apple’s event yesterday, it didn’t come from Apple. The FBI put on hold it’s demand for Cupertino to crack the San Bernardino terrorist iPhone, claiming it had outside help to do so. Since two former CIA directors have said the NSA could do it, that’s a pretty good guess. Meanwhile, back in Cupertino, Apple showed the 4 inch iPhone SE, the new 9.7 inch iPad Pro model, and new Apple Watch bands. the iPhone SE is pretty much an iPhone 6S squeezed into an iPhone 5S case. It starts at $399 for the nearly useless 16 gigs of memory, and is $499 for the more useable 64 gigs. Preorders start Thursday, and it’s available March 31st.
Apple has shoehorned its iPad Pro into a smaller 9.7 inch version. You get the same 4 speakers and Apple Pencil stylus support. It weighs less than a pound, and has it’s own version of the keyboard case. The smaller Pro…Pro-ette? comes in silver, gold, space grey, and rose gold, and starts at $599 for 32 gigs. A loaded up one with the Pencil will pretty well murder a grand. It is also available for preorders starting Thursday and out on the 31st.
As expected, Apple Watch gets a so-called ‘Spring lineup’ of bands, but the big news is the price cut from $349 to $299. It’s a good guess that an Apple Watch v. 2.0 will be out in the fall with this price reduction.
Over at Google, or if you insist…Alphabet…Chromecast has morphed into Googlecast. 9to5google.com says some Vizio TVs will come with Googlecast built in, and there are some new Googlecast enabled speakers. The app is also renamed Googlecast, and the updated version will be out on Android and iOS this week.
Looking Past Apple’s March Event; Google to Wire Cuba
Posted: March 21, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 5.8 inch iPhone, Apple, Broadband, Cuba, Google, Headphone jack, Lightening connector, OLED, WiFi Leave a commentThere will be a bigger iPhone with a brighter screen in 2017 or 2018, according to applenws.com and Digitimes. Apple is reportedly going to go with OLED screens, which some competitors already use. They give users more vivid color and blacker blacks. The biggest phone will apparently grow from 5.7 to 5.8 inches, too. Apple giveth, and Apple taketh away…pictures have appeared online of Apple EarPods with a Lightening connector, instead of the standard everywhere else…including all iPhones up to now…1/8th inch phone jack. It appears that the rumor about iPhone 7 models losing the headphone jack are true. We’ll have a full recap of the Apple event today tomorrow morning.
The President is in Cuba, and announced today that Google has a deal to set up more WiFi and broadband across the island nation, immensely adding to the capacity of the state run system of public WiFi hotspots…which cost $4.50 an hour, and are out of reach to most Cubans anyway. Engadget.com reports that Cubans will still have to put up with government censorship of their internet.
Big 3rd iPhone 7 Model May Be Out This Fall; Google Killing Wallet With Recognition App
Posted: March 3, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Dual lens camera, Face recognition, Google, Hands free pay, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Pro, KGI Securities, Wallet Leave a commentThis seems to be way out there as a rumor, but the source is KGI Securities, which has a pretty stellar track record on things Apple. Forbes.com reports that besides the 4 inch iPhone SE out in weeks, there will be 3 iPhone 7 models in September…a 4.7 inch 7, a 5.5 inch 7 Plus, and a new premium model based on the Plus currently dubbed the iPhone 7 Pro. The key feature? The dual lens camera from the Israeli company Apple bought we’ve already reported on. KGI says they may not be able to produce enough in volume to put the cam in the other iPhone 7 models, so a limited edition Pro model may carry the camera with a 2-3 power zoom, better speed and low light shots, and the ability to shoot video and still pictures simultaneously. We’ll have to wait until fall to see if KGI Securities is right or wrong!
Google has rolled out a replacement for Wallet for hands free pay, if you’re ready for it. Basically, it’s an app that calculates when you are close enough to a cash register or checkout kiosk. Bgr.com reports that the app then transmits your photo and initials to the receiving register. When you check out, the cashier just looks at you and the picture and asks your initials to verify, and you’re done. It remains to be seen if users will be comfortable with this.
Macs Will Get Siri in Next OS X Update; Google’s Next Gen Atlas Robot
Posted: February 24, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Atlas, Google, Mac, OS X, Robot, Siri Leave a commentApple’s assistant Siri is coming to the Mac in OS X 10.12. 9to5mac.com reports that the feature will live in the Menu Bar like the Spotlight icon…click it, and a little translucent Siri window will pop up below, and voice control will switch on. A keyboard shortcut is also planned, and the ‘Hey, Siri’ feature too, if the Mac is plugged in to power.
Google’s Boston Dynamics company, has shared a peek at what it is calling the “next generation” of its Atlas robot. The new Atlas is designed to can work both indoors and outdoors, the company says, and weighs a solid 180 pounds, according to 9to5google.com. The ‘bot is 5 feet 9 inches tall and has sensors in its legs and body to help it balance, as well as LIDAR and stereo sensors in its head to avoid obstacles, survey surrounding terrain, and aide in seamless navigation.
Tesla Planning Name Change & Wireless Charging; Texting to Get Another Makeover?
Posted: February 23, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: FaceTime, Google, Hangouts, MMS, Model S, Plugless, Powerpack, Powerwall, RCS, Skype, SMS, T-Mobile, Tesla, Text, Wireless charging Leave a commentTesla Motors has acquired the tesla.com site from a fan of the scientist that’s owned it since the 90’s. Businessinsider.com says right now, it redirects to teslamotors.com. It looks like Tesla is about to drop motors and just become Tesla…as Apple Computer became Apple years ago. They will fold their Tesla energy brand under this umbrella…the division that makes the Powerwall and Powerpack batteries, as well as the auto operation. The storage division is expected to be a third of their battery factory production by 2020.
Meanwhile, the Tesla Model S is on the way to getting wireless charging. According to mashable.com, a supplier called Plugless is taking $244 deposits on a wireless charger they plan to introduce late this spring. It will cost $2440 if you order now…more later. The wireless rig can run off any 50 amp circuit, and only needs pro installation for outdoors. It will give a Model S 20 miles of range per hour charge. Right now, no system is available for the all wheel drive Model S, the Model X, Roadster, or upcoming Model 3.
Text…the most old-school thing besides voice available on mobile phones…may be getting a makeover. Theverge.com reports that Google has partnered with 19 phone carriers to update SMS and MMS messages. The new moniker? RCS, or Rich Communications Service. It would allow for sending higher quality photos, starting group chats, and video. T-Mobile has already used it for video calling. If it ends up being baked into Android, it would simplify contacting people…in fact, a simple text could seamlessly start a video chat without choosing Skype, FaceTime, Hangouts, etc.
$30,000 or Less Tesla Preorders Next Month; Feds Rule Google Self-Driving Car IS Driver; Twitter Does Tweak Newsfeeds a Bit
Posted: February 10, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: $35, 000 EV, Google, Model 3, NHTSA, Non-chronological, Rebates, Self Driving Cars, Tesla, Twitter, While you were away Leave a commentElon Musk has announced that pre-orders for the small Tesla Model 3 will start in March, and that the car will be on the pavement by 2017. It will be priced at $35,000, but that’s before federal and state rebates. The federal rebate is $7500, Colorado adds another 6 grand, and California, Massachusetts, and Tennessee give you $2500. Bloomberg.com says the average car right now is 31 grand, so this is right in the sweet spot for mass production. It’s supposed to have a 200 mile range. Tesla can’t be late on this as with past launches…GM’s $30,000 Bolt EV with a 200 mile range will be out late this year.
While on the topic of future cars, the NHTSA has ruled that Google’s self-driving car is its own driver for regulatory purposes. This is a victory for Google, as it allows them to move forward with their self-driving vehicle design…without steering wheel, pedals, etc. Cnet.com reports that state rules will still apply regarding how the Googlemobiles can be operated on public roads.
There was a big uproar last week about Twitter changing its newsfeed to non-chronological. It was so big, the CEO had to come out and deny it. Now, according to thenextweb.com, Twitter has expanded and tweaked its ‘While you were away’ feature. If you have been gone a while, they will serve you tweets at the top of the feed based on what an algorithm determines you might be interested in. The feature will be on by default when it rolls out to everybody, but it’s opt-in…you can dismiss it, at least for the time being.
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