HP Jumps In To The Giant Tablet Market

Posted: January 20, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

With a possible giant iPad widely rumored, HP jumped in with a 12.3 inch Android tablet. The verge.com says it looks like a giant HTC One M8, but does match iPad’s screen resolution. It starts at $569, with a 7.9 inch model setting you back $449.

Marriott is testing offering Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Pandora directly through the TVs in their rooms. Androidcentral.com reports that the services will end up being tacked on as a ‘premium’ internet tier.

Gigaom.com reports that Facebook is testing voice to text in their Messenger app. Facebook is a little late to the party with this, but hopes to add features to grow its Messenger app active user base.

Amazon Tablets & E-Readers On Fire

Posted: December 1, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Geekwire.com says Amazon Fire tablet sales tripled and e-reader sales almost quadrupled on Black Friday. Amazon was the #3 tablet seller last holiday season, but then fell off to 5th. No word on the hapless Fire phone’s sales.

Speaking of e-readers, gizmodo.com reports that 95% of US public libraries now carry e-books. This is according to a survey by Library journal, and it’s an increase from 89% that checked out e-books last year. Most carry a little over 20,000 e-titles.

Apple’s tablet sales have slowed up to now, and 9to5google.com says Google sold more Chromebooks to US schools third quarter than Apple sold them iPads. Chromebook’s $199 price is given as the primary reason.

Outlook for Mac Gets an Update

Posted: October 31, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Microsoft has put a fresh face on Outlook for Mac. 9to5mac.com says an updated version of Office is coming in 2015. Microsoft claims the latest Outlook gives users a more consistent experience with the iPhone and iPad versions.

The next iteration of Amazon’s Fire phone will be less expensive. Amazon has admitted they considerably overpriced the present model. Gigaom.com reports that future Fire phones will have better software and a lower price, much like Amazon has done with Kindles.

Sprint is expanding its smartphone lease program. Cnet.com says in addition to Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, you can now rent Samsung Galaxy S5 and S5 sport models. The lease is $20 a month for 24 months, then you buy or pick a new phone.

The “Thrifty Amateur’s” GoPro

Posted: October 9, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HTC has rolled out the ReCamera…think of it as a GoPro for those of us non-pros. Theverge.com says the 16 megapixel stand alone camera can pair with either Android or iOS phones, and is under $200.

Apple may not bring out a larger iPad until next year, but 9to5mac.com reports that production will start in December on the 12 inch Retina Macbook.

If you work out or just walk around, you might want Ampy. Gigaom.com says the $75 kickstarter project is a portable charger for your phone that gets its charge from your kinetic energy…a 30 to 60 minute workout will charge it, then it will give your phone an extra 3 hours of juice.

Intel Will Have An iOS Smartwatch Out Before Apple Does

Posted: September 30, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

There’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.

Next Generation iPads

Posted: August 12, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

The next generation iPads are in the works. Macrumors.com says they’ll be out by Christmas, and the big one will feature an anti-reflective coating for better outdoor viewing.

Cnet.com reports that Verizon sees phones running exclusively on the 4G LTE network by 2016. Right now, most carriers run your data on LTE, but voice on the older 3G networks. Expect features like clearer voice calls and a cloud based VIDEO address book!

The creators of Siri have founded a startup called Viv Labs. Businessinsider.com says they’re working on a virtual assistant that listens like a human. You’ll be able to ask more complicated and long-winded questions, and speak to it more naturally.

Ringly Keeps Your Finger On Incoming Calls & Texts

Posted: June 13, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can’t hear the phone when it’s in your purse? Ringly may be for you. It looks like a fashion ring, but 9to5mac.com says light and vibration patterns can be set to alert you via Bluetooth to calls, texts, and more. It works with iOS and Android, and presale price is $149. That’s a bit pricey, but if you can’t miss a crucial call or text, check it out.

Google Now continues to get smarter. Thenextweb.com says Google is testing a feature that suggests calendar entries from your Gmail inbox. It’s already live with a select pool of users, and you can switch it off if you find it creepy.

According to tech crunch.com, Amazon has added audio integration to its iOS and Kindle apps. It’s an extra $.99 to $3.99 per title, but you can switch from reading to being read to on the fly. You could listen to a book while commuting, then pick up reading later right where you left off with Amazon’s Whisper Sync.

Apple insider.com says the Apple has patented a smarter smart cover for iPads with illumination that lights up to alert users to incoming messages, low battery warnings and other notifications.

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