SET Solution features their Galaxy S5 concept again in an epic launch Trailer
We’ve seen this Samsung Galaxy S5 concept design before; we saw a video that SET Solution made to introduce its concept idea just over a week ago and you’ve got to say that they did a great job of it. While a few things are still up in the air, like whether Samsung is going to retain the physical home button it seems so fond of and whether they’re going to go with a faux leather back cover on their newest device, SET Solution has done a great job of capturing our imagination with their original video.
Well, they’ve upped the ante and created yet another video featuring that same Galaxy S5 concept design, but this time, they’ve made it into a launch trailer, and the results are… well, look for yourself:
While any probable launch trailer produced by Samsung isn’t going to be like that, even slightly, I have to say I’m finding myself liking SET Solution’s take on it, plus, it does highlight Samsung’s penchant for flair. While we’re on the topic of what the Samsung Galaxy S5 is going to look like, what do you think Samsung is going to do with their latest flagship device?
Source: YouTube
Flatastico Icon Pack: We take a look at Samer Zayer’s work
I’m normally not much of an icon‘s man; in fact up until recently, I had still been using stock TouchWiz. But when I saw the Flatastico Icon Pack featured on someone’s homescreen screenshot, I had to have a look. The icon pack is created by Samer Zayer, creator of quite a few themes and other customization paraphenalia; check out Samer’s collection on the Play Store here. His Flatastico icons seem to take a much more pastel colour approach to icons which gives it an almost iOS-vibe. Obviously, that’s where the similarities end. Samer has customized pretty well anything that matters, with new additions incoming regularly. Check out the video I took earlier today to give you a bit more of an idea of what you’re getting in the icon pack:
As I mentioned in the video, the version I reviewed was version 2.2, with version 2.3 added just in the last day or two which added another 50 icons to the pack including Beats Music, CPU-Z and yes, even Flappy Bird. Samer is promising version 3.0 will be coming out soon which will add a massive 200+ icons to the already impressive list; we can’t wait.
The Flatastico Icon Pack is actually on sale at the moment for $0.99, so if you want to jump on this great deal, hit the Play Store page; links are below.
Icons: Flatastico Icon Pack
Price: $0.99
Google+ photos get more ‘pop’ with new dynamic range tool
So far, you’ve had to use Snapseed on your phone to add high dynamic range effects to Google+ photos after you’ve taken them — not very convenient if you’re at your computer. That won’t be a problem after today, though. Google has brought its mobile apps’ HDR Scape tool to the web-based photo editor in Google+, letting you brighten shadows and tone down highlights in a single step. And if you’re fussy about your edits, it’s now easy to zoom in and verify that everything is just right. The new tools are already available for some Google+ users, and they should reach the rest of the social network in the near future.
Source: Andre Meyer (Google+)
Samsung’s new Windows Phone for Verizon reaches the FCC
Just in case it wasn’t already clear that Samsung is prepping a next-generation Windows Phone for Verizon, the company has just passed the device (the SM-W750V) through the FCC. The approval confirms the presence of Big Red-friendly LTE and CDMA frequencies, as well as GSM and HSPA for world roaming. The handset is also large enough to hold that rumored 5-inch screen. The filing doesn’t offer any clues as to when the hardware ships, but we wouldn’t rule out the possibility of an announcement at or around Mobile World Congress.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, Verizon
Source: FCC
Cloud.tv Takes the Next Step in Customer Service with Dayframe Issue
Yesterday was a flurry of excitement for many people. Cloud.tv made a substantial update to Dayframe that added in some features, fixed some issues and offered up Chromecast support. Shortly after releaseing the news though, cloud.tv was forced to make an update that removed Chromecast support at Googles request. Not because they violated anything, but because their app was based off the developer preview SDK for Cast and not the official update release. The whole thing caused a lot of problems. Mainly because the SDK hasn’t been released because the roll out to Google Play Services hasn’t complete for every Android device yet. Of course all or reader already have it installed, well, you should at least.
Right after the everything went cray, cloud.tv contacted us to let us know their next move. Obviously they weren’t going to let those that bought the Prime feature be out the money if their primary reason of purchase was for Chromecast support. They Had us make an update and announcement on how to get ahold of them for a refund.
Today we hear from them again. With an even bigger step in the right direction to satisfy their customers over the whole mess. To make things right, they are offering anyone that bought the Prime feature yesterday a simple form to fill out so that they can give you Prime for free and issue a refund if you haven’t already gone that route.
Obviously this is above and beyond. A simple refund in this situation is more than enough for most since the Chromecast function was removed after an update that was pushed later in the afternoon. We knew Chromecast support would be coming back to Dayframe later and now we are hearing that it should be landing in an update later next week.
Fill out the form
Way to go cloud.tv. Personally, I think they handled the whole situation pretty spectacularly with all things considered.
[Deal Alert] MEElectronics M9P Earphones (2nd gen) are discounted to $14.99 this Weekend
Love is in their air, and we hope you’re all prepared to show your loved one how much you love them (even though you should be showing them everyday!) come February 14th. In case you’re still looking for a gift for your significant other, MEElectronics has something you might like. They’ve provided a coupon code which gives a discount on their MEElectronics M9P Earphones (2nd gen) which we reviewed late last year and absolutely loved; you can read the full review here.
When we reviewed the M9P earphones, they were still full priced at $39.99 which we thought was still a bargain. For this weekend, if you enter the code “RedWhiteGunmetal” in your checkout cart, you will get a $25 discount that brings the price down to $14.99 USD. That’s an absolutely incredible price and comes with our highest recommendations. That price is of course before shipping costs, with a limit of 3 per customer, but MEElectronics is shipping to even Australia for as low as $8.95 for up to 3 items.
If you’re interested in jumping on this deal, jump over to the MEElectronics M9P earphones product page here and take a closer look at the earphones.
Source: OzBargain
How Automation Improves Business Performance and Overall Society
From the cotton gin and assembly line to electronic gas pumps, ATM machines, self-checkout lines, and tax software, automation has changed the economy. Automation has replaced jobs and spawned self-service. For example, you’re likely used to pumping your own gas. Electronic gas pumps made this possible. As a result, you won’t encounter too many full-service gas station attendants unless you live in a state such as Oregon or New Jersey which prohibit self-service gas stations.
The Impact of Automation
Though the electronic gas pump, ATM machine, and self-service checkouts have been in existence for decades, automation continues to shape modern businesses. Since 2000, automation has replaced a number of tasks formerly done by humans including:
- Secretarial tasks (i.e., calendar updates, contact logs, and report generation)
- Telephone operations
- Bookkeeping tasks
- Travel agent tasks
For example, you’ve likely booked a few flights, hotel rooms, or rental cars online. In the past, you may have had an assistant or travel agent handle this for you. The same is true of basic tax filing thanks to tax software.
Benefits of Automation on Business and Society as a Whole
While we could lament the loss of jobs, business automation does have its benefits both to the business itself and society as a whole.
In some cases, automation allows employees to focus on more meaningful work; their jobs aren’t replaced by automation but enhanced by it. In addition, business automation helps US companies compete with countries such as India and China where labor costs are much lower but on the rise. At one point, outsourcing to these countries made sense, but rising labor costs are prompting many US-based manufacturers to pullback. As a result of returning to the US and partially automating, more US jobs are being created – a huge benefit to society.
Businesses today use automation in a variety of ways. SAP accounts payable automation, for example, has been shown to increase productivity by more than 30 percent while reducing the cost per invoice by up to 60 percent. The total rate of return industries received when investing in automation averaged 13.5 percent.
Automation can save time, reduce or eliminate human error, reduce overtime, and more. Not only can it help companies compete and stay in business, it can bring jobs back to America.
About the author:
James Hadley is a professional business consultant specializing in information technology. Sources collected for this article can be found athttp://www.dolphin-corp.com/2013/09/automation-in-business-infographic/.
Daily Roundup: FIFA 2014 World Cup Brazil, concept car with a drone companion and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Concept car with a companion drone
Renault’s latest concept vehicle, called the KWID, aims to take sting out of commuting with the aid of an aerial companion. This futuristic vehicle comes with a camera-equipped drone designed to give you a bird’s-eye view of the road ahead. Click the link for details.
Kill-switch for stolen smartphones
The New York Times is reporting that smartphone theft in California is so rampant that lawmakers are stepping up their game. A proposed bill would require manufacturers to include kill-switch measures on all devices. If ignored, companies could receive a $2,500 fine for each handset sold. Follow the link for more.
Google refuses to pay French privacy fine
Early last month, France fined Google $200,000 for failing to adequately inform users of how it uses their personal data. Now, Google is lawyering up and refusing to pay. Read on for more.
FIFA 2014 World Cup Brazil not coming to new consoles
Unfortunately for hardcore football fans, EA Sports won’t be bringing FIFA 2014 World Cup Brazil to the Xbox One or PlayStation 4. Click through to read lead designer Mat Prior’s explanation of the decision.
Samsung Reprimanded Over Use of Standards-Essential Patents for Import Ban [iOS Blog]
Samsung has been reprimanded by the U.S. Justice Department for using its standards-essential or FRAND patents to seek an import ban against some older Apple products into the United States. The DoJ investigated the case after concerns were raised about companies unfairly wielding their standards-essential patents to hamper competition.
As part of their extensive legal back-and-forth over patents, Samsung and Apple went before the U.S. International Trade Commission which ordered an import ban on several older Apple products saying they had violated a particular standards-essential Samsung patent. Apple argued that Samsung was asking an unfair licensing fee, but the ITC ruled that the Samsung’s claims could proceed nonetheless.
The Obama administration ended up vetoing the import ban, the first time since 1987 that the President of the United States had interfered with an ITC decision. A number of companies had lined up support for Apple, asking the President to veto the ban because the patent in question was deemed essential for 3G wireless functionality and Samsung was asking for inappropriately large licensing fees in violation of patent rules.
The DoJ said that it would not take action against Samsung because of the Presidential veto, but warned the firm against taking similar actions in the future:
In many cases, there is a risk that the patent holder could use the threat of an exclusion order to obtain licensing terms that are more onerous than would be justified by the value of the technology itself, effectively exploiting the market power obtained through the standards-setting process.
FRAND patents are supposed to allow companies to cross-license so-called “essential” patents at reasonable rates to avoid having companies with one necessary patent from extorting an entire industry with extreme licensing requirements.
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Nokia and HTC put patent litigation behind them
Nokia and HTC have settled their ongoing patent disputes and now look to be forming a working relationship. An announcement on Nokia’s press page tells us the two companies have settled all pending litigation and entered into a collaborative arrangement. According to the press release, HTC will make payments to Nokia and the two will work together in the area of 4G LTE patents.
“We are very pleased to have reached a settlement and collaboration agreement with HTC, which is a long standing licensee for Nokia’s standards essential patents…This agreement validates Nokia’s implementation patents and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities.” – Nokia
“Nokia has one of the most preeminent patent portfolios in the industry…As an industry pioneer in smartphones with a strong patent portfolio, HTC is pleased to come to this agreement, which will enable us to stay focused on innovation for consumers.” – HTC
As to be expected, the full terms of the agreement were not made public.
The post Nokia and HTC put patent litigation behind them appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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