Technology & Business
Google Motorola MotoX launch is August 1
We knew the MotoX was coming and now we know the launch event is August 1st in New York City. If the rumors are true, the specs aren't anything to write home about: 4.7" 1280x720 screen dual-core 1.7GHz processor 2 GB RAM 16/32 GB Storage The software has to be damn good to make up for what looks like very crappy hardware. Please Google, say it ain't slow. Tell me these leaks are all wrong.
Free app to organize and find your iPhone photos
Even the newer smartphones from Samsung and HTC don't produce [in my opinion] photos as beautiful as the ones taken with an iPhone (4s or 5). But like many, I end up with hundreds of photos on my iPhone and finding the one I am looking for is a daunting task. Viewfinder is a new free app that aims to improve your photo organization experience [on the device] by leveraging the hidden data in each photo called metadata. Metadata says when the picture was taken, where it was taken, how it was taken, etc.
VLC for iPhone & iPad now available
VLC is the most capable, flexible and loved media player available on any platform and now any platform also includes IOS (iPhone and iPad). It was previously available but pulled because of a license incompatibility between the VLC license and the app store requirements. The team has now fixed that issue and made the app available again. MacStories has said VLC has been completely rewritten to use modern audio and video output modules, multi-core decoding, and support for any file type supported by VLC on the desktop.
Google's Chrome app launcher for Windows released
It seems Google has unceremoniously released the Google Chrome Launcher. The launcher ads itself to the Chrome start page, Windows Taskbar and the Windows Desktop. Think of it as a quick launch menu system to the myriad of Google online apps and services. Download it here.
Evernote 5 for Windows is released as a beta
Months after making version 5 available to Apple Mac users, Evernote finally brings the new version [in beta form] to Windows. Remember that beta means its still a work in progress and may not be ready for prime time just yet but you can play with it if you are feeling adventurous. So what's changed? A cleaner more modern interface will greet you now. Evernote hopes this new interface will highlight your notes and make the app interface fade into the background.
Whatsapp for IOS will cost $0.99 /yr for new users
If your one of the million+ Whatsapp users, you probably downloaded an update for it yesterday. One of the major changes being introduced for IOS users is the pricing model already in place for Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone users : The first year is free and it costs $0.99 per year thereafter. Other changes the latest update brings are: Multi-send User Interface - send multiple photos at the same time URL Schema - allows third party apps (even on IOS) to hook into WhatsApp iCloud backup of messages The good news for all current iPhone users is that WhatsApp will be free of charge for the rest of your life.
Google Maps update now rolling out for IOS users
Google released a revamped Google Maps apps for Android last week and now IOS users will start to see that update slowly trickle out to them. This new version brings a much more refined discovery and exploration function. Google Maps for IOS now has an optimized version for iPad. It also brings indoor navigation (for select locations), live traffic updates and a little but more. Although some users have reported receiving the update, most haven't received it yet (I'm still waiting).
Rumored Sony’s Xperia i1 Honami photos leaked
Nokia's Lumia 1020 Windows Phone based "smartphone" is impressive with its 41 megapixel sensor. The reality is most consumers won't buy a windows phone device because of the very very small number of apps. What is a smartphone photography lover to do? Why not wait for the next Android based Sony Honami. This new rumored Sony flagship smartphone is expected to look like the existing flagship phone but is expected to come equipped with some heart warming specs. The most important rumored spec is the 20 megapixel camera.
Easily switch between Sense and the Google Experience on an HTC One
Customers looking for a new Android smartphone will have to decide between the original (subsidized) manufacturer skinned version or the new Google Play Experience phones with vanilla Android. One of the most popular phones right now is the HTC One and customers have to make this same decision. Paul O'Brien, a popular Android dev, has released a cool switching app that allows customers to have both (Sense 5 and the Google Experience) with easy switching. Watch the below video for a quick demo of the app: "
Refresh app is a basic people intelligence tool
Business people are constantly meeting new people. The more you know about the people you are meeting the less awkward it will be and the more successful your meeting will likely be. Best practice recommends you conduct a Google (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc) search on everyone you will be meeting but what if you don't have the time? This is where a tool like Refresh shines. It will do all of the heavy lifting and give you a personalized person briefing within minutes.