New Blazingly Fast Set Top Box/Game System Coming

Posted: March 4, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nvidia, known for their video cards, is bringing out a set top box called The Shield. TechCrunch.com says the $199 box runs Android, and will be out in May. It’s also a gaming console, and supports 4K video. They claim double the performance of an Xbox 360.

According to appleinsider.com, Google is planning to develop an Android Wear app for iOS. This would allow owners of Moto 360 and LG G Watches and other Android Wear devices to use them with iPhones and iPads. Look for it at the I/O Conference in May.

Apple has patented using wireless signal data for vehicle navigation. Gigaom.com reports this would let you plan a route with strong cell signals and no dead spots…it might take longer, but with no dropped calls.

Mobile Moving Up In Google Searches

Posted: March 1, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Google has an upcoming change to search…engadget.com says on April 21st, they will roll out an updated algorithm that puts mobile versions of websites higher in the search results. The search giant also has a mobile-friendly test tool available for website operators to check that Google recognizes their mobile version.

Samsung has frequently been dinged for copying Apple. According to bgr.com, the tables are about to be turned, as Apple may be working on a virtual reality headset like the Gear VR. Cupertino already has some VR patents, but new job listings indicate things are heating up on developing an Apple VR headset.

Electric cars get all the glory, but a co-founder of Tesla says its electric trucks that will matter more. The verge.com reports that Ian Wright claims companies should retrofit gas guzzling trucks with his Wrightspeed range-extended power trains. Wright is already converting 25 FedEx trucks to his system, and says they’ll save 35 grand a year each in fuel and $20,000 in maintenance.

The Genius Bar Goes Concierge

Posted: February 24, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A makeover is coming to Apple’s Genius Bar. 9to5mac.com says they’re launching what they call a Concierge service. Once you’re in the store and the problem is inputted in their system, they will send you text messages…freeing you to go shop elsewhere while you wait.

Google Glass’ demise is apparently greatly exaggerated. According to bgr.com, Glass 2 prototypes are already in the hands of developers. This time, it’s a very small selection of trusted developers, and no word yet on what improvements Google has made.

Valve is jumping into the virtual reality market. Geekwire.com reports that the Steam games developer will show a new VR hardware system at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco next week.

The Nexus 6 To Get WiFi Calling on T-Mobile

Posted: February 22, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

WiFi calling may be coming to the Google Nexus 6…at least on the T-Mobile system. According to gigaom.com, they hope to have the exclusive feature ready to go by the end of March. They will also add voice over LTE and another band of frequencies by mid year with software updates.

Virgin Mobile has dropped the iPhone. 9to5mac.com says they have no plans to carry the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and the iPhone pages now redirect people to their full smartphone inventory page at the web store. It may have just been too much of a challenge to sell the expensive Apple handsets to prepaid phone users.

For the person that’s truly addicted to their smartphone and apps, there’s the new Oral-B Bluetooth toothbrush. At a pricey $220…more than a number of actual smartphones…geek.com reports the brush and its app will track how long you brush, how much pressure you use, and nag you to floss. But wait…there’s more…the app will also bring you the morning news and weather! You wouldn’t want to be off the grid for those two minutes of brushing, now would you?

Google’s Bringing Back Google Wallet

Posted: February 21, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Google is apparently getting set to revive Google Wallet to compete with Apple Pay. 9to5google.com says they are in talks with banks, carriers, and handset makers, and plan to re-launch Wallet at Google I/O in late May. A fly in the ointment may be Samsung…which just this week acquired LoopPay to roll their own mobile payment service.

According to theverge.com, Apple will open iOS to public testing, like the beta program they reinstated on Macs with Yosemite. iOS 8.3, with support for CarPlay, new emoji, and simpler Google logins will be out in beta form the middle of next month. Apple will reportedly accept 100,000 beta testers.

Bing, the Avis of search, has added a couple features to lure more users. Thenextweb.com reports that you can now check out hotel info and reviews right from the search results. Even better, there’s a new ‘order online’ button with the restaurant listings, so you can place orders for take out through services like eat24 right from your browser.

New Way to Prevent Picture Shake from Apple

Posted: February 14, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The smartphone camera wars continue to push the envelope in picture taking. Apple has patented a tech called ‘Mirror Tilt Actuation’ for future iPhones. Bgr.com says it will actually tilt the tiny mirror in the camera assembly on future iPhones, to compensate for jitters and hand movement as you shoot that crucial selfie.

Visa is working with a service called Mobile Location Confirmation to use real time data from smartphones, to prevent fraud and so you don’t have to call your bank to let them know you’re traveling…especially out of the country. 9to5google.com reports that the service will be optional though, so check with your own card provider.

Google has partnered with Mattel to bring the venerable View Master into the 21st century. Thenextweb.com says instead of a plastic viewer and stereoscopic round cardboard, it works on Android smartphones, and provides 360 degree, 3D views. It’s out this fall, and $29.99…phone not included!

Samsung Teases ‘The Future of Cameras’ in Galaxy S6

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

We don’t know if it’s dual main cameras or other features, but Samsung says the upcoming Galaxy S6 will have no less than ‘the future of cameras.’ The verge.com says it will do all the thinking for users, who will need only to press the shutter button for great shots. The S6 will be shown March 1st.

OLED screens have been used in some smartphones for years, but never on this scale. Reuters.com reports that Samsung is spending 3.6 billion on building organic light emitting diode screens…mainly for smartphones and tablets, including those of competitors.

Getting around in San Francisco and other major cities can be tough to say the least. Some map apps help, but now, engadget.com reports that the Urban Engines app is out for Android and iOS. Built by former googlers, it works without mobile data and uses augmented reality.

A Smart ‘Swatch’ is Coming

Posted: February 5, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On the heels of the imminent Apple Watch, another smart watch is on the way…Swatch will release one in around 90 days that will communicate over the web without having to be charged. 9to5google.com says it will have mobile payment capability and play well with Windows and Android.

Shop ‘till you drop on your iPhone with one app. Techcrunch.com reports that HeartThis lets you shop over 330 stores on one app. After a soft introduction in November, it’s officially being demo’ed at StartX today. Did we mention 330 different stores?

Google’s Chromecast has hit the ten million mark, according to geekwire.com. Google says in 2014, Chromecast was the #1 streaming media device in the US.

Motorola Makes Some Strong Smartphone Gains

Posted: February 3, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

They’re not up there with the big boys like Apple and Samsung, but Motorola did sell 10 million smartphones last quarter. 9to5google.com says that’s up 118 percent! Lenovo says the division will be profitable in a year and a half.

Apparently, Sprint isn’t the only company interested in some of Radio Shack’s 4000 locations. According to gigaom.com, Amazon is looking at dipping its toe into brick and mortar retail. It could show off it’s mobile and living room gadgets with the locations, which could also serve as a physical pick up and drop off for packages.

Citing 3 studies, Google’s Nest claims the learning thermostat pays for itself in less than 2 years with savings on heating and cooling. TechCrunch says heating costs dropped by an average 10-12 percent, cooling by 15 percent.

Android’s Billion Phone Year

Posted: January 31, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

A huge milestone has been passed by Android. 9to5google.com says there were a billion Android smartphones shipped in 2014. Strategy Analytics says they had expected the billion number, but only with tablets added in. China was a big help to pushing that number…sales there have doubled since 2012.

Over at Apple, an updated version of iTunes was just released. Thenextweb.com reports that version 12.1 includes a new widget that lets you see what’s playing, skip ahead, and buy songs right from the widget.

DARPA, the folks that basically gave us the internet, has a new futuristic project. Engadget.com says they are developing new tech that lets robots learn from YouTube videos! The idea is to teach the machines not only to collect data, but how to act on it. Don’t expect the rise of the machines to happen any time soon, though!

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