Rumors suggest Amazon’s game console project is still alive
No matter how many times Amazon denies that it’s developing a set-top box, the rumors continue to pop up once every six months or so. VG 24/7 is reporting that the company is still working on an Android games console that’ll retail for “below $300.” Based on gossip from game publishers, the latest indication is that Amazon’s product team, Lab 126, has designed a grey oblong similar in size to the PSOne, designed to play both games and Instant Video / Lovefilm content to your HDTV. With rumors of a pay TV service and a future product that’s “bigger than Kindle” currently swirling around, we can see how this looks plausible. That said, $300 seems an unlikely price for Amazon to target, when Apple TV and the Roku 3 are so much cheaper, and when other Android consoles are showing only lukewarm demand, so there’s still plenty of room for skepticism.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Amazon
Source: VG 24/7
Google finally launches prescription Google Glass with the Titanium Collection
We’ve known for some time that Google has been working on prescription Google Glass for some time now, and while we’ve only had sneak peeks whenever they pop up, Google has finally officially launched prescription upgrades for Google Glass Explorers to purchase from tomorrow. Called the Titanium Collection, it includes 4 different titanium frames which can be married with the existing Google Glass and 2 additional sunglasses designs which can also be chosen. Check out Google’s introduction video to the Collection:
Each of these prescription frame designs – Split, Thin, Bold and Curve – can be purchased for $225 USD each (check them out at google.com/glass), though Google is said to be working with VSP, the largest U.S. optical health insurer, to worked out subsidies for Explorers who qualify under their umbrella. However, if none of these styles take your fancy, Google also promises that there is more to come.
As a perpetual glasses wearer, I can’t say that any of the styles particularly jumps out at me as they look quite, for lack of a better description, hipster, but that will probably vary depend on your predisposition; what do you think about these new prescription Google Glass frames?
British government reportedly tracking YouTube and Facebook data without permission
While the NSA has been busy scouring the Angry Birds leaderboards, newly leaked documents report that its British counterpart — the GCHQ — has been monitoring the flow of social media in real-time. The General Communications Headquarters can apparently keep track of YouTube traffic, which links are liked on Facebook and even which Blogger or Blogspot pages are visited. This all comes via documents taken by Edward Snowden that were obtained by NBC News. NBC‘s sources also say that the British spies have been able to physically tap the lines carrying global web traffic to extract key data about specific users as well. This initiative, called Squeaky Dolphin, intends to put broad data trends into context with world events and give the intelligence community a heads up for future anti-government happenings — not for spying on a person-by-person level. What’s more, the GCHQ reportedly shares this information with the US.
The GCHQ has issued a statement claiming that all of its work is carried out within the limits of the law, while the NSA says that it’s only interested in the communication activities of valid foreign intelligence targets. For their part, Google and Facebook say that the spying on unencrypted information was done with out their respective knowledge, and neither company had given the UK government permission to access the data — something we’ve heard before.
Filed under: Internet, Google, Facebook
Source: NBC News (1), (2) (PDF)
Pinterest now recommends pin-worthy things based on your interests
It hasn’t been easy to browse Pinterest for pin-worthy things without the help of your friends — not unless you’ve been willing to search entire categories, anyway. That hunt should be much easier now that the social network has rolled out its Interests tool on the web. The section recommends relevant items based on what you’ve pinned in the past. Look for tourist hotspots in a distant city, for example, and Interests will suggest places you might have missed. Pinterest’s new advisor isn’t yet available worldwide or on mobile devices, but it should reach every member in the near future.
Filed under: Internet
Via: CNET
Source: Pinterest Blog
Check Out The Simpsons Take on Google Glass
Google Glass has seen its fair share of parody work throughout YouTube, and even on Saturday Night Live. Now the classic animated show that we all know and love, The Simpsons, have taken to Google Glass in their very own way.
The episode aired last Sunday, and it was cleverly titled, “Specs and the City”. It starts off with Mr. Burns fitting all his employes with what they called “Oogle Goggles”, and Homer being Homer, the hilarity ensues with all he sees with the goggles on. You can give yourself a preview of the episode if you have not seen it yet, and if you want to watch the entire episode, click the Hulu link provided below, and let us know what you think of The Simpson’s take on this wearable piece of technology.
Hulu link:The Simpsons: Specs and the City
Source: Phandroid
Specs for the Nokia X Get Leaked
So the mythical creature that is the Nokia X (Nokia Normandy) has gotten it’s guts spilled out on social media by evleaks tonight. The leak master just posted supposed specs for the first Android-powered Nokia phone, and the specs are very mid-ranged, borderline low-ranged. Nothing to complain about given that this is the very first phone Nokia will have that has Android running on it, but a lot of you might question the RAM.
Nokia X: 2 x 1GHz Snapdragon, 4″ WVGA, 512MB / 4GB / microSD, 5MP, 1500MAh, Nokia Store + 3rd party, dual-SIM, 6 colors.
— @evleaks (@evleaks) January 28, 2014
512 mb…what? I had to read the tweet about 4 times to make sure I was reading it right. That is super low, but then again, we did hear that Android 4.4 KitKat was able to run on devices with such low memory. We already got word that the Nokia X was going to come in multiple colors, and judging by these specs, it should be a budget friendly phone. Let us know your thoughts about these specs.
Source: @evleaks
Google Glass gets prescription glasses: four styles, $225 each (video)
Remember when Google said its wearable would work perfectly fine with prescription glasses? Well it’s finally delivered, offering a $225 upgrade option for current Google Glass Explorers. Crafted from titanium (whatever else?), the designs are pretty unassuming and classy: they look like glasses frames you’d see at an optometrist. There’s four styles to choose from — Curve, Thin, Split, Bold — making the selection sound more like font categories than frame categories. Google Glass then attaches to the frame through several screws. More styles (in other materials and shapes, possibly) are incoming, but the team behind this launch range (the designs were all done in-house at Google) said their aim was simplicity — it helps that the extra frame-age also helps to obscure the still rather conspicuous Google eye-piece. Early adopters will be able to shop around for frames starting this afternoon and VSP, the largest optical health insurance provider in the US, is working with Google to offer subsidized frames and lenses for those that qualify.
Introducing the Titanium Collection, 4 new frames for #googleglass… and 2 new shades as well http://t.co/6izKSdACKL pic.twitter.com/UXp5n8H3NW
– Google Glass (@googleglass) January 28, 2014
Filed under: Wearables, Google
Source: Google Glass (Google Plus)
Smartphone sales may have topped 1 billion in 2013, depending on who you ask
You once had to look to the broader cellphone market to see more than a billion phones ship in one year. Well, times have changed… at least, if you ask the right analysts. IDC now estimates that smartphone shipments topped one billion for the first time in 2013. However, Strategy Analytics begs to differ — it reckons that shipments fell just short, at 990 million. Whether or not the industry hit its symbolic milestone, the roughly 40 percent increase over 2012 data shows that the smartphone market had plenty of room to grow last year. Samsung led the pack with 31.3 percent of the the market, while Apple dipped to 15.3 percent as both Samsung and Chinese manufacturers (including Huawei and Lenovo) chipped away at its second-place position.
As for what happened in the fourth quarter? Both analyst groups say that Samsung was once again the top vendor, although they note that the Korean firm’s share was largely flat at 29 percent. Not that Apple fared any better, as its record-setting iPhone shipments weren’t enough to prevent a slide to 18 percent share. Huawei, LG and Lenovo were the real victors — each of them typically gained a point or more of share in the past year. IDC chalks some of this up to the rise of very low-cost smartphones, which are quickly taking over developing markets like China and India. Companies which focus on more expensive handsets, such as Apple and Samsung, have the most to lose in these areas.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, LG, Lenovo
Source: IDC, Strategy Analytics
Fujifilm’s weather-resistant X-T1 camera ships next month for $1,300
Fujifilm shooters, get your wallets ready — the camera maker’s latest compact interchangeable-lens camera is about as full-featured as they come in this price range. The X-T1 is the latest X-Mount cam in the company’s lineup, which includes models such as the X-M1 and X-E2, and it’s compatible with the same suite of Fujinon XF and XC lenses. It’s set to ship next month for $1,300 body only, or $1,700 with an 18-55mm f/2.8-4 kit lens. The banner features here include a 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor, a large 2.36M-dot OLED viewfinder, a refreshed UI and an EXR Processor II, which enables a half-second start-up time, 0.05-second shutter lag and a half-second shooting interval, along with an 8 fps burst mode that includes tracking autofocus.
Another significant addition, of course, is the weather-resistant build. When paired with a weather-resistant lens, the X-T1 can hold up to dust and water, and it’s freeze-proof to 14°F (-10°C), should your latest assignment bring you to the arctic tundra in the dead of winter. Additionally, the 3-inch, 1.04M-dot tilting LCD is reinforced with tempered glass, but assuming you’re using a neck strap properly, there’s no excuse for letting your X-T1 collide with the earth. Finally, it’s the first of its kind to support the new SDXC UHS-II format, which yields write speeds double that of a traditional SD card. There’s also WiFi connectivity, with instant transfers and remove shooting via the Fujifilm Camera Remote app. Three new weather-resistant lenses, including an 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6, a 16-55mm f/2.8 and a 50-140mm f/2.8, will launch as well, though we don’t have pricing and availability information to share at this point.
Filed under: Cameras
Android 4.2.2 gains approval for AT&T HTC One X, slated for 1/29
Looks like everyone still sporting a stock HTC One X on AT&T’s network will finally see their update to Android 4.2.2. The update has passed through AT&T’s technical team and has been certified for delivery to their customers. The Update obviously brings a much needed update to the device in terms of Android OS version. It also brings along the Sense 5 UI overlay as well. You guys can expect to find Blinkfeed and a few other additional software enhancements. All of which can be perused at the AT&T update support page.
HTC AT&T One X customers – We have received Technical Approval for the MR with Sense 5 + OS 4.2.2. The OTA is targeted for 1/29. Thanks!
— Mo (@moversi) January 28, 2014
Don’t forget though, this WILL BE the last update that will be pushed out to the device. There could be a smaller one later on if any major bugs are discovered upon delivery, but don’t expect any more OTA updates to move you up a notch in the Android OS versions.
Via HTC Source
AIVAnet 