Will Apple Replace Google for Search On iPhones Next Year?
Posted: November 25, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Bing, Blackberry, Google, iPhone, Microsoft, Oculus, Passport, Samsung, Yahoo Leave a commentA big fight behind the scenes over your iPhone. Theinformation.com says Apple’s deal with Google is up next year, and Yahoo and Microsoft are scrapping to become the default search engine. Siri already relies on Bing for its (or her) search results!
Would you like to get $550 trade-in for your iPhone? Blackberry is offering up to that amount to switch to a Blackberry Passport. Thenextweb.com reports it varies by model, and $150 of it is on a Visa prepaid card, from December through next February.
The Gear VR virtual reality visor is just a start, and more joint Oculus and Samsung products are coming. Cnet.com says that’s according to Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe.He declined to be specific, except to hint about ‘storytelling.’
Google Shopping Gets Cool New Features
Posted: November 24, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Galaxy S5, Google, Google Shopping, MIcro Needle Patches, Samsung Leave a commentJust in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Google has improved Google Shopping. 9to5google.com says there’s more detailed information, many items have 360 degree views, there are customer reviews and where something’s in stock.
Scientists at Georgia Tech have developed micro needle patches designed to replace shots. They’re testing in mice right now. Gigaom.com reports you put it on…it’s painless, and take it off in 30 seconds to 5 minutes, and you’re innoculated.
No joy at Samsung…theverge.com reports that Samsung has sold 40% less Galaxy S5 handsets than predicted, down 50% in China, but sales were up in their biggest market, the US.
Interactive Shopping Maps From Target
Posted: November 17, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Google, Interactive, Kickstarter, Roost, Shopping, Smoke Alarm, Target Leave a commentTarget has added an enticement for holiday shoppers. Geekwire.com reports they’ve added interactive maps of all their stores to their iPhone app. They’ve also added free shipping for target.com buys to battle Amazon.
The European ‘right to be forgotten’ by Google may be extended worldwide. A French court has ruled that way, according to 9to5google.com. Google is reviewing the ruling and considering its options.
There’s a way coming to connect to your dumb smoke alarm. It’s a Kickstarter called Roost…a 5 year battery in a 9 volt size that also connects to your smartphone with an app. $55 buys you two, and it’s out late Spring.
Microsoft’s New Wearable
Posted: October 30, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android Wear, Google, iOS, Mac, Microsoft, Microsoft Band, Microsoft Health, Skype, Wearables Leave a commentMicrosoft Band is a new fitness focused wearable. Thenextweb.com says its $199, and tracks users’ heart rate, steps taken, sun exposure, stress levels, calories burned and sleep quality, relaying the data to Microsoft Health.
As for Android Wear devices…don’t look for them to be iOS or Mac compatable this year. 9to5mac.com reports a Google project manager, speaking at a media event, confirmed no Android wearables will talk to iOS or Macs by this Christmas.
Skype for iPhone has been updated. It now saves and deletes photos, and according to venturebeat.com has improved chat load times, and has easier to use filter options. It’s available at the App store now.
Gmail Security Key
Posted: October 21, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple Pay, Burner, Gmail, Google, Verizon Leave a commentGoogle has just launched Security Key, an open standard that allows you to log into Gmail with a USB drive or other physical device. The verge.com says you still use your password, but the key takes care of the 6 digit confirmation. Keys range from $6 to $50.
Apple Pay just launched in the US, but apparently it works overseas with some retailers already. 9to5mac.com says people in Australia found US issued cards work with the PayPass and payWave terminals there.
Verizon thinks the prepaid phone market is nearly dead. Engadget.com says the phone giant signed up 1.53 million new customers the last 90 days, and 1.52 million were on monthly plans. The days may be numbered for crooks using burner phones.
The Nexus 6-Bigger than iPhone 6 Plus, With a Price to Match
Posted: October 16, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 3D printing, Google, IBM, Lenovo, Nexus 6, Wonderluk Leave a commentGoogle’s monster 6 inch Nexus 6, just introduced yesterday is $650, up from the $350 of the old Nexus 5. Geek.com says they’re positioning it as a flagship handset. Preorders start October 29th.
Lenovo, the Chinese laptop company spun off from IBM, already makes smartphones, but is starting a new company to focus exclusively on smart devices. Cnet.com reports they will primarily focus on internet sales in China.
Another use for 3D printing…WonderLuk is using it to customize fashion accessories. Techcrunch.com says they believe in 5 years, 3D printing will allow for perfectly fitted clothes, delivered to your door.
New Nexus’ from Google…and Android Lollypop
Posted: October 15, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon Cloud Drive, Android Lollypop, Apple, Google, iPad Air 2, Nexus, Retina iMac Leave a commentGoogle has stopped selling the Nexus 5, 7, and 10, which tips their hand that rumored new smart devices are on the way. The Nexus 6 packs a 6 inch screen, and is available for preorder later this month. Geek.com notes that the latest version of Android is Android L, which stands for Lollypop!
With Apple’s event tomorrow, macrumors.com says KGI Securities predicts initial iPad Air 2 supplies will be tight, the iPad Mini will just be a minor upgrade, and the expected 27 inch Retina iMac will ship before the end of the year.
Amazon has integrated their Cloud Drive with Amazon Instant Video. You can store up to 5 gigs of your pictures, videos, documents, etc for free, according to thenextweb.com.
The Galaxy S6 May be Metal, Not Plastic!
Posted: October 7, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Galaxy S6, Google, Mobile, Population, Reddit, Samsung Leave a commentAfter testing the water with the Galaxy Alpha, Samsung may be going all in on a metal flagship phone. Bgr.com says a leaked video shows the upcoming Galaxy S6 with a metal frame and back.
This will bring howls of protest from purists, but Google is expanding its definition of news by adding Reddit to search results, according to Engadget.com.
We have reached a dubious milestone…cnet.com says there are now more active mobile devices on earth than people. The Census Bureau’s world population center says we’re a few million shy of 7.2 billion people, but GSMA Intelligence shows over 7.2 billion active SIM cards.
Intel Will Have An iOS Smartwatch Out Before Apple Does
Posted: September 30, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Apple Watch, Basis, Google, Intel, iPad, Nexus 6, Shamu Leave a commentThere’s another smart watch running iOS, and this one’s from Intel owned Basis. 9to5mac.com says the Peak focuses on health and fitness applications. It’s $199, and out in November. It won’t have email or phone capabilities.
Speaking of iOS, code has showed up in the beta version of 8.1 that indicates iPads are coming with fingerprint readers, Touch ID, and Apple Pay. Engadget.com reports that it’s for in app purchases…nothing about NFC is showing up for iPads.
Google’s next smartphone, code named Shamu, will apparently be 5.9 inches, and run version 5 of Android. Bgr.com says it will be called Nexus 6, not Nexus X, and there’s no sign of a smaller sized model so far.
iPhone 6 Getting Conquest Sales from Android
Posted: September 22, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Google, HTC, iPhone, Microsoft, Nexus, Samsung, Windows Leave a commentYou may have heard Apple sold a record number of iPhone 6’s (10 million since Friday and over the weekend), but here’s something that flew under the radar…bgr.com says that the week the new Apple phones were announced, trade-in site gazelle saw Android trade-ins triple!
Techcrunch.com reports that the Windows 9 preview that was expected for the Microsoft event September 30th may not actually be released now until October. No word on what the holdup is.
The next Google Nexus 9 tablet could be beautiful. Gigaom.com says the 64 bit Android tablet will be made for them by HTC, makers of the gorgeous HTC One (M8). It’s likely to replace the $400 Nexus 10, which has been built by Samsung.
clarkreid 
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