iPhone 5s will include an A7 processor

Everyone's favorite analyst, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, predicts the new iPhone 5s will include an A7 System on a Chip (aka processor). 

Nothing too surprising here, since every new iPhone has always included a faster and better processor. Ming-Chi Kuo believes the A7 will be based on the new ARMv8 architecture which should mean better performance with lower power consumption and a smaller size. Kuo believes the new processor should run 20% faster than the existing A6.

The new iPhone is expected to contain the same 1GB of RAM but the faster LPDDR3 (instead of LPDDR2 in the A6). Kuo is not sure whether the A7 will be 32 or 64 bit.

All will be revealed in 22 days (September 10 2013).

 

MotoX now available for pre-order on Rogers in Canada

If you want to try the much hyped Googlorola... I mean Motorola then your wait is over. Head over to the Rogers phone reservation system and get your place in line. 

"Moto X will be available in black or white exclusively to Rogers Wireless customers this August for $189.99 on select two-year plans. Existing Rogers wireless customers can reserve theirs now on the Rogers Reservation System and new customers can sign up for updates on availability at www.rogers.com/motox. " - Rogers Red Board

I'm not sure there will be a stampede to buy one of these phones but you should reserve one if you are interested.

MotoX on sale in Canada for $169.99

 

Rogers will have the Canadian exclusivity for the MotoX (at least at first) and it will be available in black or white for $189. It seems BestBuy will price the new Motorola flagship phone at a nice discounted price at launch. 

Link to BestBuy

1GB of free Dropbox storage for IOS users

If you have an IOS device, you can earn 1GB of free dropbox storage by following these simple steps:

  • Install the free Mailbox GMAIL app from here
  • Login to your GMAIL account
  • Click on the menu > Settings > Dropbox
  • Link your mailbox app to your dropbox account
  • Within a minute, you will get 1GB of permanent free additional Dropbox storage

Enjoy

AA Battery and USB Key in one

We all have USB keys and we all use AA batteries so designer Wonchul Hwang has married them into one concept. Unfortunatly this is still only a concept but I'm sure someone will borrow the idea and create a kickstarter for it...
You plug it into a PC and use it as portable storage which also charges it. If you're stuck and need a AA battery for a flashlight or radio, just pull it from the PC and drop it into the device.
Source: instash

Vending machine gives free beer

Most men love beer. Most men love doing nothing. Imagine my surprise when I learned about a vending machine that dispenses free beer for doing nothing in front of it for 3 minutes. Basically you stand in front of it motionless for 3 minutes. You are rewarded with a cold can of refreshing thirst quenching Amstel beer.
This marketing campaign is being done for Amstel (called Amstel Pause).

iPhone 5s rumor about fingerprint sensor

Another day another iPhone fingerprint reader rumor. Now we have "leaked" images showing the fingerprint reader sensor images. Nowheelse.fr, a French blog, claims to have these pictures along with the fingerprint scanner hardware. 
It may not be immediately clear but the "purported" iPhone 5s frame shows a new cut-out near the home button. The blog claims that cut-out will make room for the new fingerprint reading sensor.

Shark eating another shark

Nature proving it is cooler than any tech delivered this inception-esque shark eating shark moment. Scientists were reeling in a smaller shark (dogfish) when a bigger shark (sand tiger) decided it was hungry.

Source : helablog

Apple's free app of the week : Doodle Fit 2: Around the World

Every week, Apple provides one popular app for free in its itunes app store. This week Doodle Fit 2 is given the spotlight (by Namco Bandai Games). Its a cool little puzzle game 20 puzzles.

Download it from itunes here.

Travel the world, solving puzzles as you go! Visit 10 countries, each with 20 puzzles based on an item or landmark from that country. Some puzzles have multiple solutions and some feature interesting facts. Play in Around the World, Time Attack and Challenge modes, but that's just the tip of the iceberg!

What we know about the iPhone 5s

Everyone is getting ready for the September 10th Apple announcement of the the iPhone. Even though Apple hasn't confirmed the event just yet, many journalists are so convinced of the the date that they have bought the their plane tickets and reserved their hotels.

Assuming the date holds, what can we expect as hardware. Everyone's favorite Apple rumor generator, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, released a new report with a summary of what he believes the new device will deliver: 

  1. the new A7, ARMv8 based AP (application processor), featuring a 1GB LPDDR3 RAM chip;
  2. a sapphire home button with fingerprint  sensor; 
  3. main camera unchanged with 8MP, but featuring a larger F2.0 aperture with dual flash lights; 
  4. new option for golden casing;
  5. new option for 128GB storage.

The faster LPDDR3 memory coupled with the faster A7 should deliver a noticeable performance boost although I'm surprised they are keeping it at 1GB of RAM.

This isn't the first time we have seen a rumor for a gold colored iPhone but I have a hard time believing Apple would chose gold as a third color unless it is for very specific markets where the gold color is in high demand (aka. India and China). 

I was really hoping for an amazing camera upgrade and will be very disappointed if they have kept everything the same (except the increased f2.0 aperture). I want faster picture. I want much better low light images (which will be helped by an F2.0 lens). 
If SIRI and the photo features aren't seriously improved, I'm going to have to say hello to Android as my new everyday driver.
We expect to also see a lower cost iPhone 5C (c for color) with :
  • An A6 processor
  • camera similar to the iPhone 5- 5MP f2.4
  • No siri
  • Plastic back
Source:9to5mac

What's the best Android smartphone August 2013?

Users wanting to buy an Android smartphone are lucky enough to have a lot of choice. They are also unlucky because they have a lot of choice.

Choice is good and may be confusing. Considering the iPhone 5s will likely be announced September 10th 2013, I would hold off on a buying a new smartphone right now just to see what all your options are (unless you are 100% sure you want an Android device).

If you want to buy an Android today, my 2 recommendations are the MotoX and the HTC One.

  • MotoX - I recommend the new MotoX for iPhone users switching to Android. It is a well designed mid range phone that offers an almost stock clean Android interface (very little crapware) and innovative user functions like hands-free voice control, super efficient battery management, an OLED screen that shows the most relevant information without having to turn on the screen.
  • HTC One - HTC has produced an extremely luxurious device that is well built and fabulous to use. You can buy the original version that comes with an HTC added interface layer but I would recommend going with the Google Play version which comes with a near stock Android version. This special version has non of the manufacturer added bloatware and receives updates much faster.

Link to MotoX

Link to HTC One

LG's new G2 Android Smartphone coming to Canada in a big way

We're often the forgotten little brother when it comes to smartphone launches but looks like the new LG G2 Android based smartphone will hot the great white north in a big way: supporting 6  wireless telcos including Bell, Rogers, Telus and Videotron.
Pricing isn't available yet but we are getting the americanized version with a 3000mAh battery and 32GB of internal storage. Competition is good and I'm glad this is coming to all carriers.
The LG Press Release for your reading enjoyment:
LG's latest premium device introduces new direction in Smartphone design
TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - LG Electronics (LG) today announced the all new LG G2 smartphone will be coming to Canadian carriers and retailers this fall. The first smartphone introduced under LG's new "G" Series for premium devices, the LG G2, will be available through carrier partners Bell Mobility, Rogers, SaskTel, TELUS, Videotron and WIND Mobile as well as national retailers Best Buy, Future Shop, Target Mobile™, Tbooth wireless, The Source, WIRELESS etc. and WIRELESSWAVE.
Announced globally last week in New York City, LG's newest flagship device brings more customer-centric innovations. Based on LG's research of consumer lifestyles and behaviours, the smartphone offers users more real-life benefits such as ergonomic design, practical functions and an intuitive user experience.
"In developing the LG G2, we listened to and learned from what consumers were telling us they wanted in a premium smartphone," said Geoffrey McMurdo, Vice President Mobile Communications, LG Canada. "LG G2 features a unique design with an ultra thin display bezel and innovative rear key, intuitive user experience and time saving innovations. Through our strong carrier and retail partnerships, our most exciting and ambitious mobile phone, the LG G2 will be available to Canadians nationally this fall."
Key Specifications:
  • Processor: 2.26GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 featuring quad CPU
  • Display: 5.2-inch Full HD IPS (1080 x 1920 pixels / 423 ppi)
  • Memory: 32GB
  • RAM: 2GB LPDDR3 800MHz
  • Camera: Rear 13.0MP with OIS / Front 2.1MP
  • Battery: 3,000mAh
  • Operating System: Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 (with planned OS upgrades)
  • Size: 138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9mm
  • Colours: Black / White
For more information on the LG G2, please visit LG Canada at www.lg.com. You can also follow us on facebook.com/LGCanada and twitter @LGCanada.

12 course meal from a can

We live in an always hungry and instant gratification society so why not create a way for us to consume a quick to |make" and quick to eat 12 course meal?
Christopher Godfrey, a design student,has created this "wonderful" meal you eat straight from a can.
What "delicious" flavors will tickle your taste buds?
  1. A selection of local cheeses with sourdough
  2. Pickled Kobe beef with charred strawberry
  3. Ricotta ravioli with a soft egg yolk
  4. Shiitake mushroom topped with filled peppers
  5. Halibut poached in truffle butter in a coconut crepe
  6. Risotto-foraged ramps, prosciutto, and fresh parmesan
  7. French onion soup with fresh thyme and gruyere cheese
  8. Roast pork belly and celeriac root puree
  9. Palate cleanser, pear ginger juice
  10. Rib eye steak with grilled mustard greens
  11. Crack pie with milk ice cream on a vanilla tule
  12. French canelle with a malt barley and hazelnut latte

Google Search will now search your gmail, calendar and Google+

Google wants to make its search page sticky so you keep coming back and it can show you revenue generating ads. Today Google has added a new feature to its engine which can now pull data from your GMAIL, Calendar and Google+.

This new search add-on will be rolled out to Engligh US users (other international markets will follow at a future undisclosed time) over the next couple of days.

Here are some examples of questions you will be able to ask:




  • Flights: Ask Google “Is my flight on time?” to get info on your upcoming flights and live status on your current flights.

  • Reservations: Ask for “my reservations” to see your dining plans or “my hotel” to get your hotel name and address. With one tap, you can get driving or public transit directions straight there, saving you lots of steps.

  • Purchases: Ask for “my purchases,” and you’ll get the status of your current orders, so you know whether your mom’s birthday present will arrive on time.

  • Plans: Ask Google “What are my plans for tomorrow?” to see a summary of upcoming flights, hotels, restaurant reservations and events—very useful when you’re traveling.

  • Photos: Say “Show me my photos from Thailand” to see the photos you uploaded to Google+. You can also ask for “my photos of sunsets” if you want to show off the shots you’ve taken over the year; Google will try to automatically recognize the type of photo you’re asking for.



Microsoft Confirms October 18 release of Windows 8.1

 

 We knew it would be released in October but now have an exact date.

Expect new hardware to usher in the holiday shopping season.

iDoorCam is a WIFI enabled doorbell

When you think about doorbells, does WIFI come to mind? iDoorBell  hopes so because they released a WIFI enabled one that allows you to see who is knocking (or ringing) even if your're not at home.

The device includes a camera (of course), a microphone and speaker. When someone rings the bell, you receive a notification on your smartphone where you can see and discuss with the visitor. It doesn't unlock your door yet and costs $165.

You can pre-order now for October delivery on IndieGoGo.

 

 

New (2013) Nexus 7 now available in Canada

New (2013) Google Nexus 7 now available in Canada via the Google Play Store. The device is also available at Best Buy/Futureshop, Staples, Bureau En Gros and many other online retailers. The availability announcement was made on Twitter

This sleek new Nexus can be yours for:

  • 16GB is $229CDN
  • 32GB is $269CDN

All GMAIL users to get redesigned compose window

Google let it be known (on its Google+ page of course) that henceforth it shall roll out its redesigned compose window to all Gmail users. This new design makes it posible to compose multiple messages at once and multi-task more easily.

Although this was rolled out in March, users were allowed to opt-out and go back to the old full screen compose window. This will no longer be an option.

 

 

New iPhones may be announced September 10

Apple fans are waiting to see what "magical" new iphone Apple will announce to take the lead in the smartphone market again. AllThingsD was reporting that their reliable source confirms that the announcement event will take place September 10th.
Now The Loop's Jim Dalrymple has also confirmed that day. iMore's Rene Ritchie has also confirmed the date so it may be safe to take the day off, prep the popcorn maker and bask in the wonderful glow of an Apple product announcement. 
September 10 is an interesting date because it is close to announcements by HTC ( HTC One Max) and Samsung (Note 3)and is the end of the IFA show.
Now the question is "what will be announced?" It's safe to assume a faster iPhone 5s will be announced but most now also agree that Apple may use this even to birth the new cheaper iPhone 5c. 
I have been an iPhone user from day one but will jump to an Android device after the Apple announcement unless they blow me away. I want a faster device, with more RAM, a better screen and a camera that rivals the best point and shoot devices (with strong low light performance). If all we get is a speed and GPU bump then I'm switching to an HTC One Max or Motorola MotoX.

Windows 8.1 coming in October

Although Microsoft will finalize the Windows 8.1 update in the next couple of weeks, the official update won't be released to the general public [or pushed to existing users] until October.
OEM partners will receive the update in August and are being given time to test and ensure drivers are updated to support the update.
I'm really disappointed that Microsoft is implementing an artificial delay to the much anticipated update. 
Most analysts expect the 8.1 update to bring with it some new devices 7/8" tablets, new laptops, new all-in-one desktops [right before the holiday shopping season].