Technology & Business
The White Nexus 4 is now official
After weeks of rumors, LG has now officially confirmed the white Nexus 4 phone and at the same time has said it won't be making another Nexus branded device for Google. The white Nexus 4 .... well... white and that's the only difference compared to the existing black one. LG said it will come to North America sometime in the next couple of months but didn't specify who will sell it (Google, carriers, etc). More shocking for me was the fact that they finally admitted that they did not want to make another Nexus device.
What is white, black and flat?
As we get closer and closer to Apple's WWDC (starts June 10), the rumor mill is speeding up. Everyone wants to hedge their bets and publish their predictions. It's no secret that responsibility for the User Interface of IOS (iPhone, iPad and iPad Mini) was handed over to Jony Ive (head of industrial design). Looking at his track record, it is clear he doesn't believe in skeuomorphism so we expect a heavy redesign of the next major release of IOS, IOS version 7.
Real world: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5 Review
I have spent the last 15 years traveling the world as world as a business consultant (I have conducted business in at least 30 countries) and advanced PADI certified scuba diver. I picked up my first digital camera in Singapore in 2000 (a rectangular 2 megapixel device) and worked my way up various semi-pro Canon dSLRs and scuba diving cameras. The Trip Mid April, I was heading to CUBA for a beach vacation with my family (wife and 2.5 year old) and started to think about what camera I wanted to take.
Redesigned GMail for Android on the way
During a Google IO presentation, it seems one of the slides leaked information about an upcoming redesigned GMail client for android. The new version is cleaner and much more streamlined. A new drawer design provides easier access to key features. It seems this was shown without much constraint and the presenters email address was even left in.
How to get 50% more run time on your laptop
Intel's Architecture Group VP Rani Borkar is making some bold claims about the upcoming Haswell chipset: that it will allow laptops to deliver 50% more power out of existing batteries. 50% more runtime is an incredible claim and if true, may single-handedly drive increased laptop sales as customers jump to upgrade. He attributes the miserly battery usage to lower power requirements and better power management. I have to test a Haswell device before I can believe such a grandiose claim but it is music to my ears.
Angry Birds Space free (iPhone & Ipad versions) for first time
The Angry Birds series has become one of the most popular game franchises ever and now the Space version is free for the very first time. This is a quality game you should download today (while it's free). Angry Birds for iPhone free download here - Normally $0.99 Angry Birds for iPad free download here - Normally $2
Otterbox acquires LifeProof
Otterbox has acquired waterproof case maker LifeProof. Otterbox will start integrting LifeProof products into its own line and they will retain all the employees for now. The big question is "Could this be the start of consolidation in the accessory manufacturer space?" FORT COLLINS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OtterBox®, the global leader in protection for handheld technology, today announced the acquisition of TreeFrog Developments Inc., DBA LifeProof®. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Diego, LifeProof is an award-winning maker of protective cases and complementary accessories for smartphones and tablets.
Amazon Android App store opens to Canadians
I have been jealously watching my American friends downloading the Amazon free app of the day (which is actually a pay for app made free for a day) from Amazon. I am happy to report that the Amazon Android App Store is now open to us Canadians. You will have to a setting on your device to "Allow Unknown Sources" to download the Amazon app store app. You use your standard Amazon.ca account to sign in. Download the Amazon App Store App here.
Apple says Google Now violates its patents
Over the last 6 months, Google Now has gone from an idea to a key differentiator when competing against arch rival Apple. Google Now is very good and in many cases beats Siri when it comes to speed of reponse, accuracy of understanding and breadth of knowledge. Google Now simply shines. Apple has now decided that Google Now violates 2 Apple patents used by Siri (U.S. Patent 8,086,604, and U.S. Patent 6,846,959). Both patents are related to a "universal interace for retrieval of information in a computer system.
Amazon Cloud Drive available to Canadians
Dear Canadian readers, rejoice in the fact that Amazon.ca has finally made Amazon Cloud Drive available to you (in Canada). Using Cloud Drive Photos (for Android or IOS) you can upload your photos to Amazon's remote storage service. Cloud Drive allows users to store photos, files and music. Music purchases on Amazon's MP3 store don't count towards your storage limit. Songs stored on the service can be played back using the web interface or Android client. What is the storage limit you ask?