A ‘Sinister’ Version of the Galaxy Edge
Posted: February 9, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, ControlAir, Edge, EyeSight Camera, Finger Control, Galaxy S6, Mac, Microsoft, Playstation 4, Samsung, Xbox One Leave a commentMore pictures have leaked out of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6, and they show 3 different models. 9to5google.com reports that besides the ‘regular’ S6, there appear to be two Galaxy Edge models. Earlier reports had an Edge with two side screens, but it appears that actually there will be both right and left handed models. Using the edge screen by leftys would otherwise require using the phone upside down! Of course, we won’t really know until Samsung releases them. The phones are still expected to roll out March 1st at Mobile World Congress.
Microsoft just dropped the first big update of the year to the Xbox One. Geekwire.com says it includes a Game Hubs feature, that pulls together game clips, playing tips, leaderboards, and info about friends. Redmond’s idea is to basically create a social network around individual games on the Xbox, with the hope that adding this plus their price cut will help them catch up to the Playstation 4 in sales.
While the venerable keyboard and mouse still rule computer inputs, and voice control is still not ready for prime time, there’s a new app at the Apple App Store that lets you use fingers in thin air. Engadget.com reports that ControlAir works with media apps like iTunes, Spotify, and more. You still have to open the app and start the music or video, but you can stop, start, and mute from across the room. The app uses your EyeSight camera.
Sprint Adds An Apple Bundle For Life Deal
Posted: February 4, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Encrypted, Flash Drive, For Life, Galaxy S6, iPad Mini, iPhone 6, Samsung, Sprint, Toshiba Leave a commentIf you’re big on Apple, and due for an upgrade, Check out Sprint. Engadget.com says an addition to their For Life deals gets you an iPhone 6, an LTE iPad Mini 3, and service for $100 a month. That’s $17 less than separately.
With the Samsung Galaxy S6 due to roll out March 1st, new big leaks that include pictures show a round edged metal chassis like the iPhone 6. Bgr.com reports that It will feature a smaller, thinner battery and an Apple Pay rival.
For transporting most sensitive files, or offsite storage, Toshiba has released a hardware encrypted flash drive, with physical buttons to key in a passcode. Betanews.com says it comes in 4 to 32 gig sizes, and costs from $95 to $200.
Motorola Makes Some Strong Smartphone Gains
Posted: February 3, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple, Google, Lenovo, Motorola, Nest, Radio Shack, Samsung, Sprint Leave a commentThey’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.
Upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6 Supports Virtual Reality Gear VR
Posted: February 1, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: cancer, Galaxy S6, Gear VR, Google X, iPad Pro, Nanoparticles, Samsung, Synthetic Skin Leave a commentLeaked schematics of Samsung’s Galaxy S6 show that their next flagship smartphone with include support for Samsung’s Gear VR virtual reality headset, and the phone’s speaker moves to the bottom. Bgr.com reports that the handset should be slightly bigger but slimmer than the S5.
More information is out about the upcoming iPad Pro. Macrumors.com says a French site has spotted a photo of a case. It has cutouts at the bottom that indicate the tablet will have the rumored stereo speakers, and a screen between 12.2 and 12.9 inches.
Last fall, we reported that Google was working on magnetic nanoparticles that would seek out cancer cells in the bloodstream and report back to a smart wristband. Now theverge.com reports that the advanced Google X division also using synthetic skin to develop the technology, which allows them to do the research without doing it on actual people.
Pay Parking Tickets From Your Smartphone
Posted: January 21, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Galaxy S6, iPad, Kahn Academy, Parking Tickets, Samsung, Ticket Zen, Waterproof Leave a commentTicket Zen, the app from the dubiously named Terrible Labs, has hooked up with PayByPhone’s municipal parking payment service. Techcrunch.com says now you can scan the bar code on the ticket with the Android or iPhone app, and pay a parking ticket instantly.
Samsung is dropping a key feature of the Galaxy S5 on the upcoming S6. Bgr.com reports the S6 will NOT be waterproof! They will make an ‘active’ version with waterproofing…for an extra charge.
The Kahn Academy has revamped its iOS app, and now ALL the training videos there are available on iPads for the first time. The verge.com says that includes 150,000 learning exercises! It automatically syncs with your desktop, too.
HTC Will Reveal The Next One (M9?) Shortly
Posted: January 18, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Galaxy S6, HTC, HTC One M-9, iPhone, Samsung, Touch Sensor, Under Armour, Virgin Mobile Leave a commentHTC will show it’s newest flagship smartphone- which most are dubbing the One M9- on March 1st at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The verge.com says it will be the successor to the top rated One M8. HTC may also show one or more wearable gadgets it’s been working on with Under Armour.
Virgin Mobile USA will now offer a contract free 4G family data sharing plan. According to engadget.com, plans start at $65 a month for 2 lines and 4 gigs, or up to $115 a month for 4 lines and 12 gigabytes. That’s $28.75 a month for each device. They do run on Sprint’s network, which is the slowest in the country, however.
The Next Samsung hero phone, the Galaxy S6, will likely have a fingerprint scanner similar to Apple’s. Gigaom.com has picked up a report from SamMobile that says Samsung will ditch the reader you have to swipe for a touch sensor like iPhone and iPad have.
New Samsung Design Chief Poached From Jony Ive’s Old Firm
Posted: January 17, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Sony Leave a commentIn the imitation is the greatest form of flattery department, Samsung has hired the former CEO of a design firm founded by Apple’s design wizard Jony Ive. 9to5google.com says Lee Don-tae will oversee all Samsung gadget design, perhaps ditching the cheap looking plastic smartphone cases for something more Apple like.
After dropping prices as a Christmas promotion, Microsoft is again cutting the Xbox One back to $349. Techcrunch.com reports that Redmond hopes to outsell the Sony PS4 again, which they did in both November and December with the lower price. Since the price went back up the first of the month, PS4 once again outsold the Xbox.
Some patents take a while to get into devices, and others never see the light of day. Mac rumors.com says Apple has patented a pop up home button for iPhones and iPads that can work as a joy stick for gaming. It would still retain its normal functions like Touch ID.
The Internet of Things & Your Local Watering Hole
Posted: January 11, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Watch, Beer, iKeg, Internet of things, Moto 360, Orbis, Samsung, Steady Serve, Tizen Leave a commentThe internet of things hits the local pub. Geekwire.com says Steady Serve technologies showed the iKeg at CES this week. It lets bartenders know how much beer is left in a keg. No more lifting and shaking 100 pound kegs!
9to5google.com reports that Samsung will rollout a round faced smartwatch at Mobile World Congress next month. It’s code named Orbis, and runs Samsung’s Tizen system, not Android, and is aimed ‘squarely’ at Motorola’s Moto 360.
Even though they love to hate each other, Samsung and Apple are still partners. Macrumors.com says Samsung will supply the processor, RAM, flash memory, and other internals for the upcoming Apple Watch.
LG One Ups Samsung With Two Edge Screens
Posted: January 8, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Edge screen, GoPro, HTC, LG, Nest, RE, Samsung, Sensibo Leave a commentAnother player besides Samsung is getting into the 2nd edge screen field. Bgr.com says LG is showing a handset with TWO edge screens at CES, in addition to a curved main screen.
Techcrunch.com reports that for those with window air conditioners, that can’t use a Nest, startup Sensibo has a unit that attaches to your non-central air so you can control it from your smartphone. It starts at $159.
HTC’s RE action camera can now stream live footage to YouTube. Theverge.com says for now, the software update is only for Android, with iOS streaming coming later. Unlike GoPro, it does need to be connected to your phone, but even the $199 model can do it.
Samsung Shows Galaxy S6 to Vendors
Posted: January 5, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Belkin, Galaxy S6, Samsung, Seagate, WeMo Leave a commentSamsung is showing the new Galaxy S6 at CES, but only to select partners. 9to5google.com says SamMobile indicates it will be revealed to carriers and accessory makers. They will probably unveil it to all at Mobile World Congress next month.
According to gigaom.com, Belkin is showing 4 new sensors to its WeMo line of connected home products this week. Door and window sensors, a keychain proximity sensor, and smoke alarm sensor.
Drive maker Seagate is showing off new ultra-slim drives. Engadget.com reports that the portable 500 Gig Model 7 is 7 millimeters thick, and will be $100.
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