Looking for a Place to Eat? Check Your Wrist
Posted: April 19, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AdMob, ads, Amazon, Android, Apple, Apple Maps, Apple Watch, DoubleClick, Encryption, Google, Google Display Network, TestDrive, Yelp, YouTube Leave a commentYelp has announced an Apple Watch app with local listings and reviews. 9to5mac.com says you will see the majority of the info you’re used to seeing about eateries right on the small screen, without having to fish in your pocket or purse for your phone. As with the Yelp smartphone app, the Watch app is integrated with Apple Maps, too.
Google has announced that it’s encrypting the vast majority of its search ads and YouTube ads….finally. TechCrunch.com notes that gmail was encrypted back in 2008. The new HTTPS encryption will apply to Google Display Network, AdMob, and DoubleClick, and will be in place by June 30th.
Amazon is dropping one of the coolest features of its Android app store. Engadget.com reports they are killing TestDrive, the try before you buy feature where you could run apps on a virtual machine, and compare them before downloading. Amazon points to the fact that the vast majority of apps are free now anyway as the reason for dropping the service.
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.
Tim Cook on the Apple Car….Keys
Posted: February 28, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Apple Car, Apple Watch, Car Keys, Ford, Lower Emissions, Parking, Self Driving, YouTube Leave a commentAlthough he was characteristically mum about an Apple car, CEO Tim Cook did tease about cars in London. Geekwire.com reports he said in an interview that the Apple Watch is designed to be able to replace car keys and what he called ‘the clumsy, large fobs’ which are now used by many vehicles. Apple already has a patent on smartphone tech to unlock cars.
Ford is working on cutting car emissions by speeding parking. Arstechnica.com says the automaker is looking towards self driving cars, and using off the shelf parts and a crowdsourced, real time database, your car would head right to a parking space. Ford claims 20-30% of vehicle emissions now come from hunting for parking.
YouTube for Android is getting a useful…and some say overdue…feature. According to thenextweb.com, you can finally trim videos. It’s reportedly precise enough to nearly edit down to the frame. A preview allows you to check your work before finalizing the upload.
Android’s Billion Phone Year
Posted: January 31, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, DARPA, Google, iTunes, Robots, YouTube Leave a commentA huge milestone has been passed by Android. 9to5google.com says there were a billion Android smartphones shipped in 2014. Strategy Analytics says they had expected the billion number, but only with tablets added in. China was a big help to pushing that number…sales there have doubled since 2012.
Over at Apple, an updated version of iTunes was just released. Thenextweb.com reports that version 12.1 includes a new widget that lets you see what’s playing, skip ahead, and buy songs right from the widget.
DARPA, the folks that basically gave us the internet, has a new futuristic project. Engadget.com says they are developing new tech that lets robots learn from YouTube videos! The idea is to teach the machines not only to collect data, but how to act on it. Don’t expect the rise of the machines to happen any time soon, though!
PlayStation Games On TV Without the PlayStation
Posted: December 24, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Google, HTC One M8, PlayStation, Samsung, Sony, TV, YouTube Leave a commentIf you’re a gamer, and thinking about a new TV, Samsung will have TVs that play PlayStation games without the playstation next year. Cnet.com says they’ll use Sony’s PlayStation Now service.
The HTC One M8 is one of the very best Android phones, and HTC has announced you can buy it or any HTC phone from their website at 20% off. Bgr.com reports the deal lasts until January 2nd.
Google will rat you out to the FBI if you post YouTube videos threatening to kill cops. Engadget.com says it’s an automated system…they’re not really screening all those videos.
Google Joining Mozilla in Emerging Smartphone Markets
Posted: September 2, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android One, Android Wear, Asus, Google, YouTube, ZenWatch Leave a commentGoogle is jumping into the hot emerging markets for smartphones. Businessinsider.com says on the 15th, they’ll roll out Android One in India. It has a 4.5 inch screen, dual SIM cards and is under $100.
According to 9to5google.com, The Asus ZenWatch, which goes on sale in October, will ship for under $200. It runs Android Wear, and is aimed at the LG G watch and Samsung Gear Live.
Thenextweb.com reports that YouTube has quietly launched a fan funding feature. Think it as a virtual ‘tip jar’ for content providers. Out of a $10 donation, the artist gets $9.29 after Google’s cut.
Google a Song or Band, Then Play it Immediately!
Posted: June 20, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Google Search, Rick Roll, Spotify, Superbugs, Yo, YouTube Leave a commentAnother cool feature has been added to Google Search, according to 9to5google.com. If you search for a song or band, it will display links to Rdio, Spotify, TuneIn, YouTube, and others. It’s initially just on Android.
Engadget.com reports that scientists at the University of East Anglia in Britain have found a way to reduce bacteria’s ability to mutate into antibiotic resistant superbugs.
We told you about YO yesterday…the app that just sends the word YO. Geek.com says some Georgia Tech students have already hacked it to ‘Rick Roll’ you, and play a snippet of Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up!’
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