Apple May Also Show iPad Mini 4 September 9th
Posted: August 10, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Defcon 2015, Garage door openers, iPad Air2, IPad Mini 4, iPad Pro, iPhone, Keyless cars, Rolling codes Leave a commentNew leaks show a thinner, 6.1 millimeter fourth generation iPad Mini. Appleinsider.com reports that renderings found by generally reliable KGO Securities show a lot of design cues taken from the iPad Air 2. The latest mini may have an A8 processor like the Air 2, and 8 megapixel camera. If Apple goes ahead and rolls out the 13 inch iPad Pro September 9th along with the new iPhone 6S models, this new mini may be featured as well.
From the ‘not so good news’ department…a security researcher showed a $30 gadget he made at Defcon 2015 that will open keyless cars and garage doors that use rolling codes. Rolling codes let cars and garage doors skip to a new code each time, preventing thieves from nabbing the code as it transmits through the air. Engadget.com says this device jams the signal to the car or garage door motor and records the code. When the driver hits the fob or remote the next time the car or garage opens…making them think all is well, but the crook can return later and use the stored code the car or door never received, and steal at his leisure. Many car companies are aware of the issue, and have switched to codes that expire, but the security researcher hopes his demonstration will force car makers and garage door companies to upgrade older models, too. He says his own car is susceptible to such an attack.
Twitter Toys with Dedicated News Tab
Posted: August 4, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Dedicated news, iCloudVoicemail, iOS 10, iPhone, Twitter, Visual Voicemail Leave a commentTwitter is experimenting with a new tab for featured news…you may be one of the iOS or Android users that has noticed it popping up along with the other icons at the bottom of your Twitter screen. Hit it to check what’s currently happening in the world. When you touch a news item, it opens up a screen with an image, block of text and link from the source, and also but a list of tweets from other publishers and Twitter users about the item. As with test features in the past, a limited universe of users will see it, and it may not be permanent.
One of the best features of the original iPhone was Visual Voicemail…a great feature that continues to this day. It freed us from the aggravation of listening through voicemails in order, then deleting or saving them as the phone carriers made us do to use more minutes. Now, Apple’s taking it a step further, and another killer feature may show up in iOS 10 in 2016. Apple is testing having Siri record and transcribe messages from missed calls, and sending them to iCloud where you can read them as text later.
What to Expect in the Next iPhone
Posted: May 12, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AOL, Apple, Dial up, Engadget, Huffington Post, iPhone, iPhone 6S, Techcrunch, Verizon Leave a commentUpdated 4.7 inch and 5.5 inch iPhones will start production in August, according to macrumors.com, citing generally reliable KGI Securities. Expect the A9 processor powered phone to sport a 12 megapixel camera, 2 gigs of RAM, Force Touch like the Apple Watch, and an additional Rose Gold color choice. KGI says not to expect a smaller 4 inch iPhone this year.
Verizon has bought AOL for 4.4 billion in cold, hard cash. Thenextweb.com reports that the present CEO will run AOL as a wholly owned subsidiary of the carrier. Only time will tell what changes might come to sites like The Huffington Post, Engadget, and Techcrunch. AOL still has over 2 million paying, DIAL UP customers, too…bet you never guessed there could still be that many people not using broadband!
Strong Galaxy S6 Sales Affect Apple’s Next iPhone Model
Posted: April 18, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Galaxy S6, Google, Halo, Halo Spartan, iPhone, Microsoft, Samsung, TSMC Leave a commentThe strong pre-sales of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge may indirectly hurt future iPhone 6s sales. Bgr.com says Apple had previously announced that the new A9 processors would be built entirely by Samsung, but now Samsung may not be able to keep up with the demand as Galaxy sales pick up. Now, Apple will look to Taiwanese maker TSMC to build 30% of their processor chips. TSMC already builds chips for the present iPhones.
Google now lets you install apps directly from search on Android. According to thenextweb.com, when you search for an app, there’s an install button right with the search results that takes you directly to the Google store and downloads the app.
Microsoft has enjoyed a lot of success with their Halo game franchise. Forbes.com reports that Redmond has released Halo spinoffs for iOS, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, and the gamer favored Steam machines. The 3 Halo Spartan games can be bought in a bundle for $9.99 in the various app stores.
Google Plans Apple Watch Access from Android
Posted: April 12, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Alibaba, Amazon, Android, Apple Watch, eBay, Excel, Google, iPhone, Microsoft, Office Remote, Paypal, Powerpoint, Shoefitr, Windows, Word, Zappos Leave a commentGoogle seems poised to pull something clever regarding the Apple Watch. Businessinsider.com notes they may be building support for the iPhone into their Android Wear smartwatch software. The present Android wear smartwatches only work with Android phones, and of course Apple Watch only talks to iPhones.
According to forbes.com, Paypal will be allowed to work with Amazon and Alibaba after the split from eBay later this year. The parent company has been positioning Paypal as a ‘true neutral third party’ to commerce and retail clients. In the short term, eBay will remain Paypal’s biggest client, however.
Microsoft has launched without fanfare a new Android app that lets you control Powerpoint presentations on a PC from your Android smartphone. Thenextweb.com reports says the Office Remote app also works with Excel and Word. The remote app has previously only been available on Windows phones.
Amazon has quietly acquired Shoefitr, a startup that uses 3D tech to help match online shoppers with shoes that will fit them better. TechCrunch.com says it’s unclear so far if they will operate it as a freestanding site, roll it into their Zappos subsidiary, or both.
iPhone Users on Sprint Join T-Mobile Users With Wi-Fi Calling
Posted: April 9, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Edge, Galaxy S6, iPhone, Samsung, Sprint, T-Mobile, Wi-Fi calling, YouTube Leave a commentWith Apple’s latest update, iOS 8.3, iPhone users gain Wi-Fi calling on Sprint. T-Mobile users have had it since fall. The verge.com says AT&T and Verizon will cave, and allow the feature later this year. Wi-Fi calling routes calls through Wi-Fi you’re connected to, instead of over the cellular system, so doesn’t count against your minutes.
Samsung is expecting record sales from the Galaxy S6, but warns that the S6 Edge will be in short supply at launch. 9to5google.com reports that Samsung has warned that manufacturing difficulties will make the ‘edgier’ phone scarce at first.
According to thenextweb.com, YouTube will launch a paid service later this year for users that don’t want to see ads. It will cost you 10 bucks a month. Content creators will still get a percentage of revenue from the paid views.
Next iPhone Will Run on Samsung Processors…Again
Posted: April 4, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: A9, airplanes, Apple, Apple Watch, Auto-capture, Boeing, eco-friendly, Evernote, iPhone, iPhone 7, NASA, Samsung Leave a commentSamsung will be making the A9 chips for the next generation iPhone, according to macrumors.com. There have been conflicting rumors over whether it would be Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor, or a combination. The phone may also be the iPhone 7…Apple may add Force Touch from the Apple Watch to the screen and skip the 6S designation.
The Ubiquitous Evernote has a couple new features for iOS. Thenextweb.com reports that the note-taking app gets new camera functionality and support for the soon-to-be released Apple Watch. You will be able to auto-capture images when you point your camera at documents and business cards in the app.
NASA is teaming up with Boeing to make planes more eco-friendly. Engadget.com says they are experimenting with 31 tiny jets on the tail fin. This adds stability, and allows for a 17% smaller tail, making planes lighter and more fuel efficient.
Mystery Color & Maybe Third Model of Galaxy S6
Posted: March 12, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Chromebook, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Internet of things, iPhone, Mystery Color, Samsung, USB type C Leave a commentThere’s a lot of buzz about Samsung’s new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, and most features are known, but it looks like Samsung has ‘one more thing.’ Bgr.com says in addition to white, black, pale gold, and either ‘blue topaz’ for the S6 or ‘green emerald’ on the Edge, a mystery 5th color will be revealed later…and maybe a third model!
Apple is moving on the internet of things. A new patent shows an iPhone dock with audio, wireless, a touch sensitive display, and proximity sensors. According to Techcrunch.com, it’s a future control center for your connected Apple home.
Last week, the new Macbook rolled out with just one port…the reversible USB Type C. Now, engadget.com reports that Google is very committed to the multi-use port, and it may be showing up on Android phones and Chromebooks in the very near future.
LG’s Urbane Smartwatch Gains Independent Phoning
Posted: February 26, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 3D printing, Amazon, Dick Tracy, Find My iPhone, iPhone, LG, LTE, NFC, On Demand, Urbane Leave a commentLG has upgraded it’s new Watch Urbane already. Engadget.com says it can call on LTE without a phone, make NFC payments, and use mobile data…but it has a third the battery life of a phone. It also has a two way radio feature-calling Dick Tracy! LG will show more of it at Mobile World Congress in March.
Future iPhones will be harder than ever for thieves to unload. BGR.com reports that Apple has patented a feature that requires the passcode to shutdown. Otherwise, the phone LOOKS shut down, but still transmits its location to Find My iPhone.
Amazon has filed patents for actual on demand delivery. According to Geekwire.com, they would print at a warehouse or even show up with a truck, and 3D print the item for you on the spot.

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