New Blazingly Fast Set Top Box/Game System Coming
Posted: March 4, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 4K, Android, Android Wear, Apple, Google, iOS, LG G Wach, Moto 360, No dropped calls, Nvidia, Set Top Box, The Shield, Wireless signal data, Xbox 360 Leave a commentNvidia, 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.
Microsoft Opens Up Office To Other Cloud Services
Posted: February 17, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Box, Citrix, Dropbox, iOS, Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Video Headset Leave a commentMicrosoft has announced cloud storage integration for Office with other than their own cloud service. According to office.com, one of Redmond’s official blogs, in addition to OneDrive and Dropbox, you now have built in file integration for iPad and iPhone. They are also working on Android, Salesforce, Box and Citrix.
Patentlyapple.com reports that Apple has patented a video headset that you slide an iPhone or iPod into for the video. It has picture in picture, so you can still see your surroundings or view email and the like. It’s controlled by haptic touch and Siri.
Worldwide, 1.2 billion smartphones were sold last year, according to German analysts GfK, in a report picked up by tech crunch.com. That was a 23% increase, mainly powered by bigger screen models and South America. They see 14% growth this year, due to saturation of countries in Asia.
Ubuntu Smartphone On The Way
Posted: February 7, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, BQ, Cortana, Elite Reviewers, Google Maps, iOS, Local Guide, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Ubuntu, Yelp Leave a commentAs if the mobile world needed another operating system, and that Android and iOS didn’t dominate the landscape, there’s a smartphone running geek favorite Ubuntu coming out from Spanish maker BQ. It will roll out in Europe with a yet to be announced web only flash sale, tipped on the BQ and Ubuntu Twitter feed and Facebook accounts, according to thenextweb.com. The $195 smartphone has a 4.5 inch screen and dual SIM card slots.
Microsoft Office is going to have an assistant again…and not the annoying paperclip. The verge.com says Microsoft is testing a Work Assistant app that uses Cortana, to open, edit, and share documents using voice commands and Cortana. If it works as planned, the Cortana-based assistant will be particularly helpful on mobile versions of Windows, Android, and iOS.
Google Maps for Android has added a Local Guide, which rivals Yelp’s Elite Reviewers. It is just about to be officially rolled out, but you can get it over at bgr.com and download it now. BGR also has a link for you to sign up as a Local Guide reviewer.
Full Microsoft Office Hits Android and iOS
Posted: January 29, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, iOS, lithium-ion battery, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Water repellant Leave a commentOffice for Android is completely live. Microsoft announced on their official blog that the ‘Preview’ has been lifted, and you can download free Office apps from the Google Play Store. Outlook is also now full featured for iOS on the Apple App Store. You do need an Office 365 subscription though.
MIT startup SolidEnergy may have cracked the code for better smartphone battery life. Bgr.com says they’ve built a lithium-ion battery with an ultra thin anode and special electrolyte that can double battery life…and it will be out this year!
Scientists at University of Rochester have developed super water repellant metal and other materials using lasers. Theverge.com reports that earlier chemical treated surfaces tended to lose the repellency, but this can’t be rubbed off.
More Picture Space For Your Smartphone
Posted: November 14, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Android, family, iOS, iPhone, Kindle, Photos, PhotoShrinker, Selfie Leave a commentIf you take a lot of selfies, and are always running out of space, there’s a new app called PhotoShrinker. Techcrunch.com says it’s out for iOS and Android, and will compress your photos to a tenth their original size, making room for more. The shrunken pix look fine online, etc. but save a normal copy for any you intend to make large, actual prints from.
Appleinsider.com reports that the iPhone 6 is outselling the larger 6 Plus by a 3 to one margin in the US. The study comes from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. The average storage size is now 48 gigs, which shows that more people are buying the 64 gig and 128 gig models…which means more profit for Apple.
A nice feature in the latest Kindle software just being pushed out…gigaom.com says Family Library lets people with Amazon accounts linked to family members share ebooks others have downloaded.
Fitness Tracking Hats & Googly-Eyed Smartphones
Posted: November 11, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Aka, Android, Cellular, Crowdsourcing, Fitness Trackers, Geofencing, iOS, LG, Lifeboat, Tamagotchi, Windows Leave a commentThere are lots of fitness trackers you wear like a watch or bracelet…how about one for your head? Lifeboat is making hats and visors that track heart rate, cadence, gait, steps and calorie consumption. Cnet.com says they’re $99 and work with Android, Windows, or iOS.
Appleinsider.com reports that Apple’s been granted a patent that uses geofencing and crowdsourcing to pinpoint dead spots in cellular networks. It’s good for users, but phone carriers will hate it!
LG has rolled out midrange smartphones with Tamagotchi like personalities. Gigaom.com says if you like a phone with big, googly eyes, check out the Aka line.
Applecare For Enterprise Debuts
Posted: November 6, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Applecare, Enterprise, Fuel Cells, iOS, Runtastic, Sleep Better Leave a commentApplecare for enterprise has gone live, with on-site support from IBM. Mac rumors.com reports they promise a dedicated account manager, and businesses on the plan can replace 10% of damaged iOS devices accidentally damaged by employees.
Running app maker Runtastic have released a Sleep Better app. 9to5mac.com says no additional hardware is needed, just put your phone with the app next to your pillow. It’s free, but has added features through in app purchase.
Better fuel cells may be coming that run on a type of jet fuel used in harsh climates. Engadget.com says enzymes turn fuel into electricity without requiring a lot of heat or perfectly clean mixture like hydrogen fuel cells.
Amazon Prime Adds Free Photo Storage
Posted: November 4, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Alienware, Amazon, Amazon Prime, Android, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, HP, iOS, Macs, NFC, PC, Softcard, Windows Phone Leave a commentYou can never have too many backups, and now if you have Amazon Prime, you get unlimited photo storage in the cloud, according to theverge.com. Note that this will work on PCs, Android, and iOS, but not yet on Macs. Amazon says that’s coming. Keep in mind that cloud storage is great for convieninece, but do keep a local backup or 3 of your pictures.
Apple Pay has grabbed a big chunk of the pay with your phone market, even though Google Wallet was already available. Now, gigaom.com reports that Windows phone users can make payments at NFC retail terminals with the Softcard app.
HP is taking orders for a new gaming laptop to compete with Alienware models. Engadget.com says the big plus for the $1500, 15.6 inch touch screen rig is that it’s noticeably thinner than Alienware machines. It will ship this month.
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.
Cellular Bay Area Internet of Things Coming
Posted: May 21, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Appy Pie, Cover, Dining, Internet of things, iOS Leave a commentA French company called SigFox is going to build a cellular slow lane for the internet of things that will cover from San Francisco through Silicon Valley. Technologyreview.com says they already have done this in France to connect appliances, bike locks, and even dog collars.
Want to make your own modest game app? Businessinsider.com reports that you can build your own simple app in about 5 minutes using Appy Pie. It is uploaded to their servers, and for a fee, can be uploaded to iOS, Android, and others.
Restaurant payments app Cover now lets you dine and dash…legally…in 20 select San Francisco restaurants. Techcrunch.com says they’ve been running in 80 eateries New York City.
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