Google takes legal action against Turkey’s YouTube ban
Remember how a Turkish court ordered an end to the country’s YouTube ban? Well, that decision has already been reversed — and Google has launched an all-out legal assault in response. The search firm has filed a complaint with Turkey’s Constitutional Court protesting the block, to start with; it’s also appealing the reinstatement of the ban, and it’s suing to negate the decision altogether. The company doesn’t have more details to share at this stage, but a spokesperson both acknowledged the court battles to us and said it was “obviously very disappointing” that the censorship is still in effect. It’s too early to know whether the anti-ban campaign will prove successful, but Twitter’s recent victory suggests that Google has a fighting chance.
Via: PCWorld
Source: Hurriyet Daily News
Raspberry Pi’s computer now fits in the space of a tiny memory stick
Didn’t think that Raspberry Pi’s namesake computer could get any more miniscule? Think again. The organization has unveiled the Compute Module, a board that stuffs the Pi’s processor and 4GB of storage into the space of a stick of DDR2 laptop memory; you’re looking at the tiny new device on the left. This isn’t meant to show off Raspberry Pi’s miniaturization skills, though. Fitting the system into a small standard connector lets circuit board builders attach whatever interfaces they like, rather than make do with the built-in ports on a conventional Pi design. You’ll have to buy the Compute Module alongside a starter IO Board when the hardware launches this June, but it will eventually be possible to get the modules by themselves. Individual pricing isn’t available just yet. However, Raspberry Pi says that large-scale buyers (think educators and entrepreneurs) can buy batches of 100 at about $30 per piece.
Filed under: Misc
Source: Adafruit, Raspberry Pi
Red’s 6K-capable Scarlet Dragon camera goes on sale for a mere $14,500
Don’t despair that you’ll have to buy both Red’s Scarlet camera and its Dragon upgrade just to get 6K video capture at a semi-reasonable price. The company has announced that the ready-made Scarlet Dragon body will go on sale tomorrow for a relatively affordable $14,500. It should ship once Red catches up on Dragon upgrade orders, or around June. You may not be recording many projects at full resolution, however. Red did squeeze in 6K (after concerns that it wouldn’t make the cut), but you’ll only get it at 12FPS when shooting full frame — you’ll have to drop to ‘just’ 5K to get speed worthy of movies and TV. Company chief Jarred Land hints that the Scarlet Dragon should be faster in widescreen mode, though, so you might not have to shell out for the higher-end Epic Dragon to produce a sharp-looking masterpiece.
Filed under: Cameras
Source: Red
Vote in the Pebble App Challenge and you could win $500 in ‘cash prizes and swag’
Pebble on Monday kicked off the first day of voting in Pebble App Challenge, a tournament-style showdown. Starting today and running through Friday, April 11, those of you with a Pebble smartwatch can vote in the daily head-to-head match-ups. Pebble has whittle 218 apps down to a sweet 16 selection of apps.
To vote:
- Open the Pebble smartphone app for iOS or Android.
- Navigate to the Menu » Get Apps.
- Tap the “Vote Now” banner at the top of the Get Apps screen.
- Pick your favorites!
To help get things going, Pebble is dangling a carrot worth $500 in cash prizes and “exclusive Pebble swag”. For every one of your daily votes you will be given an entry in the prize drawing. Five winners will be selected at random and announced on the same day of the Pebble App Showdown winner.
The post Vote in the Pebble App Challenge and you could win $500 in ‘cash prizes and swag’ appeared first on SmarterWatching.
Read the rest at the source, SmarterWatching.com
The post Vote in the Pebble App Challenge and you could win $500 in ‘cash prizes and swag’ appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Most Suitable Device for Gaming
There have been so many developments in technology in recent years that means it has become easier than ever for games developers to ensure that their games can be accessed across all portals and devices. Of course it depends on the type of game, which device would be most compatible.
With the introduction of the likes of Google Play this has made things fairly standard for Android phones so game can be brought into the mobile market quicker. This is also similar for the iOS platform with the app store. There has even been the launch of the likes of GameKlip that now allows you to attach PS3 controllers to your Android device just like you would with a PS Vita. It means you don’t have the added complication of using the touch screen and can simply use the controls.
We thought that we would give you the scoop on some of the best mobile devices that can be used for gaming.
Apple iPhone 5C
This little number is very compact which means it’s not a pain to transport around. It’s also less expensive than the iPhone 5S making it attractive to consumers. The resolution isn’t as good as what you could get with other mobile phones at 1136×640 a 325ppi. The best thing about this phone is the range of games that you can play on it. With the Apple App store, you can do just a quick search and be presented with a flurry of gaming treats.
Google Nexus 5
The Google Nexus 5 is available in both black and white, so would appeal to those of you who want to look stylish. It is powered by Android 4.4, so has a fantastic HD resolution. This is perfect for those of you who enjoy good graphics and animations whether you are playing Angry Birds or having a game of some mobile bingo. Find out more details about mobile bingo sites. The only downside about this device is that there is no section for an external card to be inserted, so it’s only available in 16 GB and 32 GB. This may be an issue if you are playing games that require a lot of data.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
This game allows up to 64 GB in storage which is double that of Google Nexus and can offer up to a further 64 GB if required. The quad core and GPU will allow you to have a go on any game you come across and with Google Play at your disposal there is more than enough to choose from. It has a high resolution of 1080p and 386ppi making games even more enjoyable to play.
The LG G2 is one of the best selling phones by LG. It’s available in 16 different varieties with 32 GB. What is most promising about this device is the visuals that it offers. It runs at 1080p and 424ppi and has the capacity to support HD graphics. The downside with this device again is that it doesn’t have a memory card slot so there is minimal space for data.
Nokia Lumia 520
Nokia Lumia is of course a Windows phone. This means that there are fewer games that are compatible with it. Although the selection is smaller, there are some games that are only exclusively available to that phone. It has a 6 inch screen which is the largest on the list, prefect for games that require a little more detail than normal. It runs at 1080p and 367ppi and has a fantastic touch screen.
There we have it folks a full list of phones that are great for gaming! If you are looking for a phone that can support games with a large amount of data then you may like the Samsung Galaxy Note. Or if the enjoyment of graphics and animations are more top on your list, then the Google Nexus 5 will be right up your street. If it’s variety you are after then the iPhone 5C is the one for you!
Pre-Orders begin for the Samsung Chromebook 2, 11.6 and 13.3 Inch Models
About a month ago Samsung announced the second edition Chromebooks, happily named the Chromebook 2. The new devices were slated for an April release, one week into the month and they are finally making their appearance via pre-order through Amazon.
You can get your order’s in today, but it won’t be shipping out until later this month. You have the choice of either a 11.6-inch or 13.3-inch screen model. Both models have the fancy Octa-Core Exynos 5 CPU, 4GB of RAM, 16GB storage by way of a SSD and battery life hitting at 8 hours. You will also find USB 2.0 and 3.0 connections along with an HDMI port,SD card slot and a 720p front facing webcam.
As for what sets the two models apart, it is mostly screen size and weight. The 11.6-inch model weighs in at 2.4 pounds while the 13.3-inch model packs on a little extra at 3.1 pounds. Interestingly enough, the outlined specs on Amazon also points out that the processor is clocked at 1.9GHz on the 11.6 9 (a Exynos 5420) and 2.0 GHz on the 13.3-inch ( a Exynos 5800).
As added perks, you also get AIrDroid Premium, Wunderlist Pro and Little Bridge. We can’t forget to mention the 100 GB of Drive storage for 2 years either.
As far as price tags are concerned, you will be looking at $319.99 for the 11.6-inch model in jetblack and $399.99 for the 13.3-inch in Luminous Titanium
Pre-order the Samsung Chromebook 2 (11.6-Inch, Jet Black)
Pre-order the Samsung Chromebook 2 (13-Inch, Luminous Titan)
Via Talk Android
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Three Games Released by AMA for the Samsung Galaxy Gear
What is better than than controlling your phone, using voice commands and having the time on wrist? Games of course. Game and app developer, AMA, have created three wristable games for the Galaxy Gear owners out there to help them pass the time.
“We believe wearables and, particularly, smart watches such as the Galaxy Gear are the next big trend for consumers. Developing and publishing content on these devices attests to our lasting commitment to innovation.” says Jean-François Denis, AMA’s VP Sales.
First up is Puzzle 2 HD. This one is a classic block moving game where you will navigate your Master Blox across a board while avoiding obsticles, traps and teleporters. The game offers over 100 levels of though provoking problem solving glory.
- Play on your phone and your Gear; your progress will be saved.
- The game tests and trains wits, logic and strategic skills.
- Interactive and addictive game play.
- Tons of helpers and obstacles scattered throughout the game.
- High quality graphics, in a 3D game environment.
- 60 levels of difficulty that get unlocked once solved.
- Random play tests the way you manage random levels of difficulty
Next is Abalone. AMA states the game takes only a minute to learn but a lifetime to master.
- Play on your phone and your Gear; your progress will be saved.
- Online challenges: face many players from across the world whatever device they play with, and defend your rank in the international leaderboard.
- Challenge mode: 60 levels with variable difficulty to improve your tactics.
- Free game mode with more than 30 official variations.
- Multiplayer mode to defeat your friends anytime on your device.
- An Editor to create your very own rules.
- Fulfill achievements to prove your skills.
- Up to 15 bonus levels unlocked daily for regular attenders
Finally, there is Escape. Another puzzler of sorts where you need to navigate your character, Norm, across the playing board witout retracing your steps to help him Escape.
- Play on your phone and your Gear; your progress will be saved.
- Minimal and stylish graphics for maximum appeal.
- Simple controls for all ages.
- Surprisingly addictive.
- Dozens of levels to get you started.
- A unique brain teaser, complimented by relaxing audio and visual effects.
All three games are currently available for the Samsung Galaxy Gear through the Samsung app store. If you are a lucky Galaxy Gear owner, go give them a try and let us know how they play out.
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Scientists testing an ‘acoustic shield’ to protect cities from earthquakes
What if you could put a shield around your city to prevent it from being demolished in an earthquake? A group of French scientists think they’ve created a way to do just that, thanks to refraction (essentially changing the direction of the vibration). In an experiment, the group was able to create the shield using several five-meter-deep boreholes in the ground. When a quake hits, the holes redirect vibrations to a less-populated nearby area so they’ll do less damage. The catch is, all that force has to head somewhere. And we’re guessing there won’t be many towns signing up to have a big city’s quake headed their way instead.
Image Source: UN Photo/Logan Abassi
Filed under: Science
Via: The Verge
Source: American Physical Society
Uber for deliveries? Courier service to begin in New York City tomorrow
It’s not just a taxi service anymore — starting tomorrow, Uber might be getting into the delivery business. According to a NYC Craigslist ad, the company is hiring foot and bike couriers to fill on-demand item pickup and delivery requests in Manhattan, issued and received via the company’s smartphone app, naturally. The full details of the service haven’t been officially released, but Uber’s NYC Twitter account teased a Tuesday reveal.
Update: It’s already official. Uber NYC’s Josh Mohrer told CNBC that the service is called UberRUSH, and local same-day delivery will cost users between $15 and $30, depending on how far it has to travel. The service’s app will allow users to track their parcel’s progress too, and deliveries will be available 24-hours a day. Looking for work, or just need a new phone? Check out the want-ad for yourself: employment apparently comes with a free iPhone 4S.
[Image credit: Getty Images/Vetta]
Filed under: Misc, Transportation
Via: VentureBeat
Source: Craigslist, Uber (Twitter), CNBC
Researchers teach smartphones to recognize your activity, lock out everyone else
Swipe patterns, passwords and fingerprint scanners are useful for keeping that mobile device locked down from the outside, but what happens once that code is cracked? Well, cybersecurity researchers at Georgia Tech have developed LatentGesture that continuously monitors gadgets for intruders based on taps and swipes. If the system detects any use patterns that vary from the observed user profiles, it locks the device down. “The system learns a person’s ‘touch signature,’ then constantly compares it to how the current user is interacting with the device,” said College of Computing assistant professor Polo Chou.
To create that “touch signature,” user activity is monitored in terms of swipes, taps and check boxes, making a custom profile for up to five authorized users. What’s more, those accounts can also be used as parental controls to keep kids out of the App Store. The software was found to be 98 percent accurate on phones and showed a 97 percent accuracy on tablets when tested on Android devices during the trial phase. Chau goes on to say that just like our fingerprints, how we interact with touchscreen devices is unique to each person, so having this software running in the background is a non-intrusive way to keep those trusty devices secure. This means that in the future, if someone happens to peep your passcode, you may still have a hope of locking them out before any major damage is done.
Source: GA Tech
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