Mobile Moving Up In Google Searches
Posted: March 1, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple VR, Electric cars, FedEx, Fuel Savings, Gear VR, Google, Mobile, Samsung, Search, Tesla, Trucks, Virtual Reality Leave a commentGoogle has an upcoming change to search…engadget.com says on April 21st, they will roll out an updated algorithm that puts mobile versions of websites higher in the search results. The search giant also has a mobile-friendly test tool available for website operators to check that Google recognizes their mobile version.
Samsung has frequently been dinged for copying Apple. According to bgr.com, the tables are about to be turned, as Apple may be working on a virtual reality headset like the Gear VR. Cupertino already has some VR patents, but new job listings indicate things are heating up on developing an Apple VR headset.
Electric cars get all the glory, but a co-founder of Tesla says its electric trucks that will matter more. The verge.com reports that Ian Wright claims companies should retrofit gas guzzling trucks with his Wrightspeed range-extended power trains. Wright is already converting 25 FedEx trucks to his system, and says they’ll save 35 grand a year each in fuel and $20,000 in maintenance.
Google’s Bringing Back Google Wallet
Posted: February 21, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple Pay, Bing, CarPlay, Eat24, emoji, Google, Google Wallet, iOS Beta, LoopPay, Order online, Samsung, Take out food Leave a commentGoogle is apparently getting set to revive Google Wallet to compete with Apple Pay. 9to5google.com says they are in talks with banks, carriers, and handset makers, and plan to re-launch Wallet at Google I/O in late May. A fly in the ointment may be Samsung…which just this week acquired LoopPay to roll their own mobile payment service.
According to theverge.com, Apple will open iOS to public testing, like the beta program they reinstated on Macs with Yosemite. iOS 8.3, with support for CarPlay, new emoji, and simpler Google logins will be out in beta form the middle of next month. Apple will reportedly accept 100,000 beta testers.
Bing, the Avis of search, has added a couple features to lure more users. Thenextweb.com reports that you can now check out hotel info and reviews right from the search results. Even better, there’s a new ‘order online’ button with the restaurant listings, so you can place orders for take out through services like eat24 right from your browser.
Microsoft Apps Coming to Android Via Samsung
Posted: February 15, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Aviate, Google Play, iCloud, iWork, Microsoft, Office, Samsung, Skype, Yahoo Leave a commentMicrosoft appears to be making a major move to invade Android’s turf. Business insider.com has picked up a report from Sam Mobile that says Redmond may have cut a deal to have apps like Microsoft Office Mobile, OneNote, OneDrive, and Skype pre-loaded on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6. We’ll know for sure March 1st when the S6 is introduced.
If you’ve been wanting to use Apple iWork apps on other than your home Mac, you’re in luck. Apple has made Pages, Numbers, and Keynote accessible through iCloud Beta to users without an apple device. Mac rumors.com says you get a gig of storage when you sign up for a free iCloud account.
The contextual home screen for Android called Aviate, which changes through the day to suit your needs, has added search outside the US. Engadget.com reports that the app…which was bought by Yahoo last year…is a free download from Google Play.
Wireless Charging Coming with Samsung Galaxy S6?
Posted: February 12, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Discount, Facebook, Fire TV, Galaxy S6, HDMI Stick, Legacy Contact, Samsung, Sling TV, Wireless charging Leave a commentAnother leak about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6, and this one’s a biggie. Bgr.com picked up a story from Korean site Naver that says the S6 and S6 Edge will come with support for wireless charging that’s compatible with many existing wireless charging systems.
Amazon has announced that Sling TV is now supported by its Fire TV set top box and HDMI stick. TechCrunch.com reports that you can get a fat hardware discount, too…if you prepay for 3 months of Sling, get $50 off the $100 price of Fire TV or the Stick for free!
You probably have a few Facebook friends’ accounts that are still out there, even though they’ve left this mortal coil. Thenextweb.com reports that Facebook is introducing a Legacy Contact people can designate to continue limited aspects of the account. It’s rolling out in the US now.
Samsung Teases ‘The Future of Cameras’ in Galaxy S6
Posted: February 11, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Camera, Galaxy S6, Google, Mass transit, OLED, Samsung, Urban Engines Leave a commentWe don’t know if it’s dual main cameras or other features, but Samsung says the upcoming Galaxy S6 will have no less than ‘the future of cameras.’ The verge.com says it will do all the thinking for users, who will need only to press the shutter button for great shots. The S6 will be shown March 1st.
OLED screens have been used in some smartphones for years, but never on this scale. Reuters.com reports that Samsung is spending 3.6 billion on building organic light emitting diode screens…mainly for smartphones and tablets, including those of competitors.
Getting around in San Francisco and other major cities can be tough to say the least. Some map apps help, but now, engadget.com reports that the Urban Engines app is out for Android and iOS. Built by former googlers, it works without mobile data and uses augmented reality.
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.
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