technology
Say hello to the world's smallest cell phone
Smaller is usually better but take a look at the world's smallest cell phone from Willcom, doesn't it look like a dolls accessory? I'm guessing you won't be using this to snap pictures or play games but I'm sure someone somewhere on our big blue marbel may be looking for this type of diminutive device. The phone comes in white, black or pink and can be had for a cheap $380 in Japan.
Google's Free Fonts now easier to download
Google has made its jam packed font collection easier to download via sync with SkyFonts. The announcement was made on their blog. The goal of Google Fonts has always been to bring beautiful, open-source fonts to the web, fast and free of cost. Starting today, you can download these fonts for offline access on your desktop. We’ve made all of the fonts from the Google Fonts directory available in SkyFonts, a tool from Monotype that allows you to install and sync fonts from the web onto your Windows or Mac OS X devices.
Astrid Tasks acquired by Yahoo and will be shutdown
Yahoo has bought the popular task manager Astrid for an undisclosed amount. Yahoo has been busy buying smaller software manufacturers and revamping its existing properties (Yahoo mail, Flickr, etc). The Astrid announcement was made on its blog. They have informed annoyed users that the service will be shutdown in 90 days and that they will allow users to download exisiting data. Astrid was a well designed software that whose loss will be felt in the productivity sphere.
Get Google Now on IOS !
It is unbelievable that this type of major news comes just a but before Google's annual conference but it did. Google Now comes to IOS via the Google Search app, which means the leaked videos we saw a while ago were true. It isn't as full featured as the Google service just yet (no boarding passes, events, concerts, etc) but no one knows what the future holds. You can read the announcement on Google blog post here.
Why Facebook created Facebook Home
Facebook Home finally clarified the company’s mobile roadmap. Facebook will integrate into existing smartphones and will not create a phone of its own (aka no Facebook phone). The new Android launcher rolled out in the US for select high end smartphones last week and ratings on the Google Play store show that it isn’t for everyone (44% of reviewers had given it a 1 star when I wrote this article). What is Facebook Home? Facebook Home is an Android launcher that “put’s people first”.
LinkedIn Buys the Pulse News Reader for $90M
The rumors were true. Pulse is now part of the LinkedIn in family. As part of theblog post confirming the acquisition, we learn that Pulse has 30 million users and 750 publishing partners. LinkedIn has confirmed that it will not shut down Pulse but will use it to pull information into its own site. No word yet on whether LinkedIn intends to continue developing Pulse.
Samsung Galaxy now comes in 5.8 & 6.3 inch Mega size
Samsung recently released the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy SIV (S4) and the market was clamoring to see what Samsung would do with the Samsung Note 3. Imagine our surprise when Sammy announced a brand new line of Galaxy phones called Mega. The Samsung Galaxy Mega will come in 5.8" and 6.3" models but isn't targetting the high end crowd. Based on the released specs, these will be mid level phones (performance wise). As an example, the 5.8" will come with a 189.
Samsung Galaxy SIV International faster than US version
We have seen a steady stream of Samsung Galaxy SIV performance benchmarks since it was released. All of the performance benchmarks have been performed with the US version. The US/Canadian version of the Samsung Galaxy SIV will come equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor. The global version will come with the gargantuan Samsung Exynos 5 Octa (8 core) processor. We have been wondering how this Samsung processor would compare to the Qualcomm and now we know. SamMobile has performed the benchmark we have all been waiting for and it seems the Exynos 5 is significantly faster.
Google may buy WhatsApp
Digital Trends is reporting that Google is in talks with WhatsApp about a potential acquisition. It seems WhatsApp is pushing for a $1 billion valuation. WhatsApp is a private company and doesn’t share subscriber information but the industry believes they should have about 300 million active users. December 31 2012, they processed 18 billion messages. WhatsApp is one of the most popular platform agnostic messaging systems with deep penetration in Europe and Latin America. Why would WhatsApp consider selling? No one knows for sure but I believe it may be because of strong competition from Asian providers such as WeChat (China) and Kakao Talk (Korea).
Free app to clean junk files from your Android device
I am an iPhone user playing with Android and was surprised when I learned I have to “maintain” my Android devices. One of the main maintenance tasks I do on Windows machines that I also have to do on my Android tablet is “getting rid of junk files”. These files consume precious storage space you definitely want to reclaim. After testing over 20 different apps, I have finally settles on a free software called Clean Master. This app cleans application cache files, orphaned files after uninstalling apps and deletes app histories.
Gunnar Optiks computer glasses Review
Knowledge workers and serious gamers will tell you starring at a bright screen for hours at a time takes its toll (eye strain, headaches, etc.) If you work in an office environment will little natural light and lots of white artificial light then the situation becomes even worse. About 2 months ago, I noticed that my eyes were dry, I was getting more frequent head aches and generally felt worse from wear after spending most of the day starring at a screen.
Outlook coming to Surface RT
Like it or hate it, the Microsoft Surface RT tablet is an original creation forcing us to think differently about the tablet market. As good as some think it is, most users agree it is missing one main tool, Microsoft Outlook. It seems Microsoft may have heard your complaints and may be preparing to release Outlook for Surface RT (according to the Supersite for Windows). The article says a bug in the ARM chipset (the tablets brain) may have caused the delay in the release.
Apple gaining momentum against Android
comScore has published it’s smartphone Subscriber Market Share statistics and it looks like Apple my be heading higher while Android takes a little dip. Google’s dark night (aka Android) dropped 2% in the latest period (51.7%) while Apple’s IOS gained 3.9% (38.9%). Microsoft and Blackberry both lost ground and it’s not even worth mentioning. I think the big test for Apple will be the summer release of IOS 7 and the next iPhone (the iPhone 5s?). If they manage to deliver a compelling product then I think they may manage to win back a big chunk of the market.
What's new in Google Chrome version 27 beta?
Like most tech savvy computer users, my browser of choice [in the pre-Chrome days] was Firefox. It was the most stable and secure browser around (compared to Internet Explorer, Opera, etc). We all love Chrome because it is a fast browser, has a clean uncluttered interface and is constantly updated. We recently received the stable version of Chrome version 26 and now adventurous users can start playing with the beta version of Chrome version 27. After all the hoopla about Google changing Chrome’s rendering engine to its new in-house Blink product, you may have thought that version 27 may have finally implemented it.
Government can't intercept Apple's iMessage
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Apple is very secretive about how its technologies are designed. Case in point, we all knew iMessage had some type of encryption Now we learn that the security is so well designed that even the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) isn’t able to intercept iMessages [according to CNET at least]. This is great news for privacy advocates but a worry for law enforcement.
Test Blackberry Z10 from the comfort of your browser
Interesting in testing out the Blackberry Z10 but don’t know where to take it for a test drive? Blackberry wants to make this easier and has created a special site you access via your IOS or Android browser which replicates some to the key Blackberry Z10 functionality. It is an interesting walk through of some of the key gestures, multitasking functionality, shows the Blackberry hub, BBM and time shift. It isn’t a full emulator but it is enough for you to decide if it is interesting enough to drive to your local mobile phone shop.
Samsung Galaxy SIV faster than the iPhone 5
Analysts were spreading incredible rumors prior to the launch of the Samsung Galaxy SIV and were disappointed when the device delivered a more bland device. Primate Labs took the US version of the Galaxy SIV for a test drive against its main competitors what it seems to have performed really well. Looks like the US version smokes the HTC One, Google/LG Nexus 4, Samsung Galaxy S3, the iPhone 5 and the Blackberry 10. See the detailed benchmark here.
Apple begins iPhone 5s production for July/August launch
A new report sent to the Wall Street Journal says Apple will begin production of the next generation iPhone sometime in Q2 (aka starting now). The report claims the new device (iPhone 5s) will have the same shape and design of the existing iPhone 5. The report provides the same release info other rumors have mentioned, which is a July/August lunch. The much rumored “cheap” iphone for developing countries is expected sometime in the second half of the year. I have been an iPhone user from the very beginning but am now feeling left behind when comparing device functionality to major Android competitors.
Piracy is good for Game of Thrones
The media has been vehemently against piracy claiming it is the biggest evil to afflict humanity in the last 100 years. Imagine my surprise when industry heavyweight HBO comes out and says that piracy isn’t as bad as others are making it out. HBO’s biggest money maker is Game of Thrones and estimates peg that each show is downloaded (illegally) 4 million times. Michael Lombardo, HBO’s programming president, says piracy “compliments” the show. Season 2 was a record setting release selling 241,000 units (44% more than season 1).
Logitech UE Mobile Boombox Review
Whether you’re a business traveler or love to listen to music around the house, a good Bluetooth wireless speaker is the way to go and the Ultimate Ears Boombox is a wonderful option. Why wireless and why bluetooth Over the last 5 years, we have been deluged by speakers with docking connectors in all shapes and sizes but the era of dock based speakers is dead. Why is it dead you ask? Apple killed it when it switched from its traditional 30 pin dock connector to the new Lightning connector.