Google Calendar now helps you remember holidays in 30 more countries
If you’ve ever made the faux pas of contacting foreign coworkers while they’re out celebrating national holidays, you’ll appreciate the latest update to Google Calendar. The service now accounts for special occasions in 30 more countries, including Argentina and Switzerland. It also covers a larger range of holidays, and you’ll see their dates further in advance. Google may not patch up any damaged international relations with its Calendar update, but it’ll at least help you avoid future incidents.
Source: Official Gmail Blog
The government wants our cars to ‘talk’ to each other
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) is throwing its weight behind vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems. After years of experimentation and a real-world trial in Ann Arbor, MI the government is (almost) ready to make peer-to-peer networking a required safety feature on all new cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it’ll “begin taking the next steps” towards implementing V2V, though, what those steps are is still somewhat shrouded in mystery. One major detail left to be ironed out is when exactly these new safety standards will go into effect. The agency is currently finalizing its analysis of the data gathered during the Ann Arbor trial, which it will then use to build a regulatory proposal.
For those that don’t know, V2V systems allow cars to share information about their position, speed and heading with each other and alert a driver when there is potential for danger. That could be a car speeding through an intersection ahead or a truck in your blind spot when trying to change lanes. While there is potential for integration with automated collision avoidance technology in the future, initially the DOT will be focused on passive systems. If you’re concerned about the government having yet another avenue through which to track you, breathe easy. The data passed between vehicles includes no personally identifiable information. In fact, it doesn’t even identify the car — it only contains basic safety data. In addition to that, the NHTSA envisions multiple layers of security and privacy protection to ensure vehicles are sending and receiving reliable data.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Adobe’s Photoshop guru John Nack is heading to Google’s photography team
If you needed further proof that Google was serious about its photography efforts, one of Adobe’s main Photoshop folks is heading for Mountain View to pitch in. John Nack, former Senior Product Manager for Photoshop, has been with the creative software outfit for about 14 years and led the software’s first public beta (CS3) and the introduction of notable features like Smart Objects. Most recently, Nack has worked on Adobe’s mobile efforts as Principle Product Manager. It’s no surprise that Google is looking to dive further into photo editing after debuting Auto Awesome last year and snatching up Snapseed before that. In a blog post announcing the move, Nack noted that the two companies have collaborated for quite some time and that he hopes to pursue that relationship further, writing “There’s so much we can all do to help photographers & storytellers of every sort.” For now, we’ll just have to bid out time until Google’s next snapshot-focused software release.
Filed under: Software
Source: John Nack
Apple May Be Building Its Own Content Delivery Network
As Apple continues to develop its new data centers in North Carolina, Oregon, and Nevada, it could have greater plans to develop a content delivery network (CDN) to deliver content to its iTunes and iCloud users.
Analyst Dan Rayburn with Frost & Sullivan believes that Apple is looking to expand its CDN capabilities, but isn’t entirely clear how in-depth the system will be. Currently Apple uses Akamai and Level 3 to handle most of its distribution needs for iTunes, the App Store, and iCloud, though its data center initiative gives it a good base of operations for distributing content as well as storage for user data.
Apple built its retail store chain because Steve Jobs wanted to own Apple’s interactions with its customers. With iTunes and iCloud, Apple controls the data and the service, but must outsource the less visible but still incredibly important job of reliably delivering data packets to users. With hundreds of millions of users downloading apps, music, TV shows and movies — with many of those being streamed in real-time to the Apple TV — ensuring quality of service for all users will be essential.
I’m hearing that part of Apple’s reasoning for building their own CDN is because of performance issues with iCloud, with Apple wanting to have more control over the QoS of content going to their devices. Apple already controls the hardware, the OS (iOS/OS X) as well as the iTunes/App store platforms. Right now they control the entire customer experience, except for the way content is delivered to their devices. Since Apple does not own the last mile they won’t be able to have complete control, but having their own CDN would give them more control and security than they have now. The next set of questions to ask is what type of technology Apple uses? Will they go the open source route and built it in a non-proprietary way, or keep it closed? Some will also wonder if Apple might make their CDN into a commercial offering, but that wouldn’t make any sense for their business, unless they had some kind of content subscription service akin to Netflix.
A content delivery network allows companies to ensure that their data can reliably get to customers on any ISP, in any geographic locale. A number of other companies that move large amounts of data, including Google, Microsoft and Netflix, have brought much of their data delivery platforms in-house, rather than outsourcing them to other large companies. Many extremely large companies have found that building their own CDN makes financial sense because of the control it gives them, something that Apple values highly.
Rayburn has been saying that Apple is planning to build a CDN for nearly five years, though with three major new data centers coming online and more in the works, Apple is clearly investing in something big. The company is rumored to be working on a new television service of some sort, either a new set-top box or an entire television set, and such an effort would likely require a significant expansion of the company’s content streaming abilities to support HD streaming video to a large number of new customers.
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World Wrestling Entertainment Channel Coming to Apple TV on February 24
A World Wrestling Entertainment representative has seemingly confirmed on Facebook that the new 24/7 WWE Network will be available as a dedicated channel on the Apple TV on February 24.
In a conversation with a fan who asked specifically about an Apple TV app, a WWE Network Facebook representative said the WWE Network app can be launched directly from the Apple TV.
In order to experience WWE Network on an Apple TV, you must have a second generation or later (black) Apple TV and be a WWE Network subscriber. Once WWE Network is available, you will be able to launch the WWE Netowrk app directly from your Apple TV. Let us know if you have further questions! Thank you.
First announced in January, the World Wrestling Entertainment Network is a 24/7 streaming network that includes original programming, reality shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. Available for $9.99 per month, it also includes 12 WWE live pay-per-view events.
When introduced, WWE executives noted that the service would be available via the WWE website and through numerous consoles, smartphones, and tablets. While the Roku was listed as an available device, as was the iPad, no specific mention was made of the Apple TV.
WWE Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer Michelle Wilson did, however, say that the service would also be available on “a connected device I am not allowed to mention at this press conference,” presumably alluding to the Apple TV. Attendees at the service’s introductory event were also given Apple TVs to take home.
Apple historically exercises control over announcements related to its products, so it is no surprise that news of a potential WWE app for the Apple TV has been suppressed. Over the course of the last several months, Apple has introduced several new channels to the Apple TV, each with no advanced notice.
Most recently, Apple added the Red Bull TV action sports channel to the Apple TV, and before that, the company introduced channels for Watch ABC, Bloomberg, Crackle, and KORTV. Apple is also said to be working on a major overhaul to both the Apple TV software and hardware, which could debut later this year.
The WWE network will be available for $9.99 per month at 9 AM Eastern Time on February 24, 2014 and will reportedly launch on the Apple TV at the same time. Fans will be given a free one week trial to the service.
(Thanks, Josh!)
Update: The WWE Facebook page has since been updated to delete the comment about the Apple TV, but the original text can be seen in the image below.
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Apple Acknowledges Continuing Issues with OS X Mail, Offers Manual Workaround
Ever since OS X Mavericks was released, some customers using the built-in Mail.app application have repeatedly had issues retrieving new mail messages, deleting or moving messages, and more. Some of the problems were fixed in an update released back in November, and then in OS X 10.9.1, but for some, the issues retrieving new messages persist.
Some users found that quitting and restarting Mail forced the application to download new messages, but Apple has now published an awkward workaround that allows the app to stay open while still forcing a download of new messages.
OS X: New email messages not received until Mail is quit and reopened
Quitting and reopening Mail forces it to re-establish a connection to the email server. You can use these steps to receive new mail messages without quitting Mail:
1. Choose Mailbox > Take All Accounts Offline.
2. Choose Mailbox > Get All New Mail.As a shortcut, you can also add the Take All Accounts Offline and Get Mail buttons to your Mail toolbar.
1. Choose View > Customize Toolbar.
2. Drag the Take All Accounts Offline button to the Toolbar if it is not there already.
3. Drag the Get Mail button to the Toolbar if it is not there already.
4. Click DoneTo receive new mail messages, click the Take Offline button, then click the Check Mail button.
There is no indication of when the bugs with Mail.app will be fixed, though beta releases of OS X 10.9.2 ask developers to test Mail.app for issues.
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Google Now Comes to Desktop in Chrome Beta
For those of you that have Chrome Beta running on your desktops, you will soon (if not already) have you some Google Now cards in your notifications section. Google Now comes to our desktops, so now when you need to check the weather really quick, or need to get those traffic conditions before you go to work, you will be able to access those helpful notifications right on your desktop.
If you are not running Chrome Beta on your computer of choice, you can click here to download it to Windows, Mac, or Chromebook, and the Google Now notifications will be auto-enabled. Apparently if you click on the little bell in the top right corner, the cards can be accessed there. If you choose not to run Chrome Beta, be on the lookout for the update. If you are not running Chrome Beta click the link provided below. Let us know how you are liking it.
Download: Chrome Beta Desktop
Source: Chrome Blog
[V-Day GIVEAWAY] Gaiam Cork Cases and Wood EarBuds
Valentines day is right around the corner boys and that means it is time to start thinking about what to get and do for your special someone. Roses and Chocolates are nice, but don’t always cut it. We are here to help you out a little bit with the help of our friends at Allsop.
This week we would like to offer up our readers a chance to win something truly unique and different for their ladies for Valentines Day. We have partnered up with Allsop and their recently launched Gaiam product line to help you guys come out on top this year. The new line of cases, earbuds and fitness armbands from Gaiam are aimed at style, comfort and fits great for the eco-friendly active lifestyle users. The designs on the cork cases are definitely a bit more feminine and both looks and feels great. They are super lightweight featuring a one-piece ABS cover that offers the flexibility of a skin and the durability of a hardshell case. The side bezels are slightly taller than the front of the devices screen to help keep the screen from flat surfaces when placed face down.
On the earbud front they have a series of FlatWire earbuds, Aluminum earbuds and the Wood earbuds. While we certainly like the looks of the FlatWire and the ALuminum, we thought matching the natural look and feel of a cork case with a set of natural wood earbuds was a better fit. The Wood earbuds have an inline mic for phone calls and come in either a black or white variety. Both color variants are made with a Maple housing with an aluminum body inside.
On to the important part. What are YOU trying to win and how do you enter. Well, five winners will be chosen and each winner will be able to choose a case and the color choice of wood earbuds.
One Cork Case
Or the unlisted Samsung Galaxy S4 Cork case (pictured below)
In addition to that choice, you also get to pick a set of wood earbuds.
On to how to win this combo for your lovely lady. We like to keep things simple and not make you jump through too many hoops most of the time. Especially since there are so many restrictions on using social networks as the method for entry and so many people aren’t on all the same ones.
How to enter
Simple: Leave a comment down below telling us why your lady should win. Maybe she gets you off to work every morning with coffee and breakfast. Maybe she always gives you time in the man cave or doesn’t complain about your excessive amount of time online. Pretty simple, but put a little thought into the answer, none of this “She is cool” or “She cleans a lot” garbage. Oh, yes, you can enter for that special friend, someone you are trying to woo or your mom also. If you are a single lady out there, feel free to enter too. You could be our Valentine.
*US shipping only. Contest open from now until February 7th (Friday) at 5 p.m. PST. Winners will be contacted Saturday for shipping details.
It doesn’t hurt if you happen to share the giveaway around on your favorite social networks either. The more entries we have, the better chance we have to offer up more giveaways. HINT: We have 9 weeks worth of stuff to have shipped out, so get involved. It won’t all be geared towards the ladies.
Apex Launcher Updates to v2.3 Updating Notifications and Adds App Sorting
Apex Launcher gets a fancy little update today. The popular launcher updates to v2.3, and adds app sorting to its list of features, while updating and polishing up current features.
- Sort apps in drawer (pro)
- Support Apex Notifier v2.0
- Added icon label shadow in drawer
- Fixed app/shortcut picker style
- Fixed notification action/gesture on TouchWiz
- Fixed indicator animation
- Updated translations
The new version of Apex Notifier also adds improved notifications, so make sure you update that as well. If you haven’t updated your Apex goodies today, then get into that Play Store and do so. Let us know how it is all working.
Apex Launcher
Apex Notifier
Google Cast API released for Google Play Services
Google Cast is the tech behind the Google Chromecast:
Google Cast is a technology that allows Android and iOS mobile apps and Chrome web apps to “cast” content – like video, audio, and screen sharing (mirroring) – to Cast-ready devices like Google Chromecast.
Chromecast has been out since last July, but has really only been available on a few limited apps. Its apps were popular including but not limited Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, and Plex, but was never made available to the average app developer.
Today Chromecast’s exclusivity changed and Casting will be available to everyone. Google released development to the public with its Google Cast SDK and inclusion of its API to Google Play services. It goes live with version 4.2, which will start rolling out today. Find out more from the Google Developer’s G+ posting or the Google Cast Developer’s page.
AIVAnet 