Amazon admits it’s limiting Hachette book sales to get better deals
Tried to pre-order JK Rowling’s forthcoming The Silkworm on Amazon, only to find that no such option exists? The title is one of several victims of the company’s very public spat with publishers Hachette, which Amazon is holding to ransom for cheaper pricing on e-books. Until now, however, the company remained tight-lipped on the tactic, but in a blog post, admitted that it was playing hardball with its rival. What that means for customers is that the retailer is only buying bare-minimum quantities of existing stock and will only offer new books for sale after their publication. In its mind, Amazon is fighting for better (i.e. cheaper) pricing for its customers, but we imagine that someone’s forgotten about the poor authors who will likely see another drop in their already meager incomes.
Filed under: Amazon
Via: Bloomberg
Source: Amazon
MIT’s CityHome turns tight spaces into futuristic abodes
Pulp sci-fi novels have painted a picture of a bleak future, with dense, dystopian urban sprawl forcing us into ever-shrinking living spaces. Such ignominious abodes would probably benefit from something MIT Media Lab’s Changing Places team has been working on. It’s called CityHome, and it’s a concept that could turn even the most modest studio apartment into a space befitting the stylish futurist lurking in us all.
At its most basic, CityHome compresses the essentials of multiple rooms down into a single box — a hefty box that’s about the size of a closet, but a box nonetheless. Thanks to a slew of built-in sensors, the CityHome unit can contort itself into different forms with just a few hand gestures as guidance. In dire need of some human companionship? Motors will slowly squeeze out a dining room table that’ll seat six in relative comfort. Time for a nap? A bed’ll slide in and out of the box’s side as needed. The entire unit itself can be moved with ease too (check out the video above to see it in action) to make your smallish space feel more expansive than it really is. And the icing on the cake? MIT researcher Kent Larson envisions a slew of apps that let you further exercise control over your realm, including a way to alter your lighting with few brisk waves of a hand.
For now, the CityHome project will remain just that, a proof-of-concept put together just to see how it would all work. Larson has much grander ambitions for it, though: he told Fast Company that the team wants to turn CityHome into an actual, honest-to-goodness product. Hey VCs, forget that flash-in-the-pan social app, how about funding this thing instead?
Via: Fast Company
Source: MIT
Apple Denies iCloud Hack as Cause of Locked iOS Device Ransom Demands [iOS Blog]
Earlier this week, a number of iOS and Mac users reported iPhones, iPads, and Macs being remotely locked by hackers who then demanded a ransom for their recovery.
The attacks primarily affected those located in Australia. While there have been many theories about common points of attack, no one theme has emerged. Some users also deny that passwords were shared with other services.
ZDNet reports that Apple has issued an official statement denying that iCloud itself was hacked.
Apple takes security very seriously and iCloud was not compromised during this incident. Impacted users should change their Apple ID password as soon as possible and avoid using the same user name and password for multiple services. Any users who need additional help can contact AppleCare or visit their local Apple Retail Store.
A growing discussion thread on Apple’s support forums is following the issue.
LG G3 Becomes Official! Let’s Talk Specs and Features! – ManDroid Quickie
The LG G3 is finally here and it is one sexy piece of device. No doubt you guys have already skimmed through the specs and features, and probably have surfed YouTube for hands-on videos, but now you get to hear what Mr. ManDroid has to say about the new flagship. I’m kind of in love.
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 801 (up to 2.5GHz Quad-Core)
- Display: 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS (2560 x 1440, 538ppi)
- Memory: 16/32GB eMMC ROM / 2/3GB DDR3 RAM / microSD slot (128GB max)
- Camera: Rear 13.0MP with OIS+ and Laser Auto Focus / Front 2.1MP
- Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)
- Operating System: Android 4.4.2 KitKat
- Size: 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9mm
- Weight: 149g
- Network: 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21 Mbps (3G)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Smart Ready (Apt-X), NFC, SlimPort, A-GPS/Glonass, USB 2.0
- Color: Metallic Black, Silk White, Shine Gold, Moon Violet, Burgundy Red
- Other: Smart Keyboard, Smart Notice, Knock CodeTM , Guest Mode, etc.
LG has also added some nifty features that I talk about in the video below. I also attached the official press release for the LG G3, so check that out, as well as the video and all the new photos of the gorgoues device, and let us know your thoughts about the LG G3. Is it a phone you plan on getting? I think a Google Play Edition would be nice to see in the near future.
NEW YORK AND SAN FRANCISCO, May 27, 2014 — LG Electronics (LG) today introduced to the world its eagerly anticipated LG G3 smartphone, the successor to the company’s popular LG G2. With launch events taking place in six cities worldwide — London, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore and Istanbul — the LG G3 aims to redefine the definition of a global smartphone for global customers.
The all-new LG G3 will arrive on U.S. soil later this summer with T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile specialty stores.
Developed under the Simple is the New Smart concept, LG G3 is a culmination of consumer research based on LG’s product development philosophy, Learning from You. The LG G3 was empowered with the best of what current technology has to offer, providing consumers with a user experience more ambitious than anything offered before by LG.
“The smartest innovation in a fast evolving smartphone market is creating harmony between advanced technology and a simplified user experience,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The LG G3 is the result of our effort to actualize that idea into a tangible product. And we are extremely pleased with the result.”
Highlights of the new LG G3 include:
- 5.5-inch Quad HD display with 538ppi with four times the resolution of HD and almost two times higher resolution than a Full HD display
- 13MP OIS+ (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) camera with a revolutionary Laser Auto Focus that can shoot stunningly sharp images in a fraction of the time required by conventional phone cameras
- Polished metallic skin on the rear cover that is lightweight, fingerprint-resistant and most of all, aesthetically pleasing
- Floating Arc form factor that feels incredibly comfortable in one hand and incorporates the innovative design heritage of the Rear Key
- Redesigned graphic user interface (GUI) consistent with the Simple is the New Smart concept of the LG G3
True-to-Life Viewing Experience
LG’s development of the LG G3’s breathtaking Quad HD display was the result of years of innovation in display technology. With a pixel density of 538ppi, the LG G3’s Quad HD display sets new viewing standard producing images that are sharper and clearer than traditional smartphone displays. At 5.5-inches, the LG G3 boasts a screen ratio of 76.4 percent with thin bezels all around so the phone feels as comfortable in the hand as a smaller traditional smartphone.The high-resolution display on the LG G3 also required LG engineers to pair it with battery technology that was just as innovative. LG equipped the LG G3 with a 3,000mAh removable battery and advanced optimization technologies to further maximize battery efficiency. By replacing the metal in the battery cathode with graphite, LG engineers were able to extend the lifespan of the LG G3’s battery. The result is a battery that can keep up with the Quad HD display’s ultra-high performance without losing steam in the middle of the day.
Simply Captivating
The LG G3’s advanced 13MP OIS+ camera is designed to quickly and easily capture life’s special moments as they occur. This is made possible with LG G3’s innovative Laser Auto Focus. This technology enables the LG G3 to capture the best moment — even in low light — by measuring the distance between the subject and the camera using a laser beam. So fuzzy pictures of your son scoring his first football goal or missed shots because your camera couldn’t decide quickly enough which toddler in the playground to focus on is virtually a thing of the past. Combined with the proven and popular OIS+ technology first seen in the G Pro 2, the LG G3 is sure to impress even the most discerning shutterbugs.LG also simplified the process of actually capturing those special moments. Rather than having to focus on the subject in preview mode and then pressing the shutter button, with the LG G3, tapping the subject to focus will simultaneously also trigger the shutter. What’s more, the LG G3’s 2.1MP front camera incorporates several new enhancements such as a larger image sensor and larger aperture for more light throughput and better-looking selfies. A unique twist has been added to the standard timed selfie mode by incorporating gesture controls — when ready to shoot, simply clench your hand into a fist and the LG G3 will recognize the gesture and begin the automatic three-second countdown. It couldn’t get any simpler than that.
For video, the LG G3 offers superior sound quality with instinctive microphones that measure the environment to identify the optimal audio level for the clearest recording. And with the built-in 1W speaker with Boost AMP, users can enjoy videos and music accompanied by richer sounds and clearer tones.
Balanced and Simplified Design Language
The Floating Arc design of the LG G3 with its ergonomic arch and slim side profile provides an extremely comfortable grip for everyday one-handed use. The Rear Key continues to anchor LG’s innovative design language, with newly designed power key and volume buttons as well as more premium quality materials and finish. LG also refined sophisticated technical features and advancements located on the rear by arranging them in a clean and singular layout consistent with the LG G3’s well-balanced design language. The stylish metallic skin with matte finish that keeps the LG G3 looking clean and fingerprint-resistant will be offered in five vibrant colors: Metallic Black, Silk White, Shine Gold, Moon Violet and Burgundy Red.To complement the new external design, LG adopted a minimalistic user interface design with flat graphics. The circular motif of the graphic assets in the new UI was derived from the shape and concept of LG’s logo, reflecting its unique visual style and identity.
Simplified UX to Reflect Simple Pleasures
In addition to the advanced core technologies, LG took its Learning from You approach to a higher level with new UX features to offer LG G3 users a unique experience unlike any previous LG smartphone. Highlights include:
- Smart Keyboard: Adaptive technology learns as you type for faster input with fewer mistakes. Smart Keyboard reduces input errors by tracking and analyzing typing habits and intuitively “knowing” what word the user intended to type. The height of the keyboard can also be adjusted to better fit the user’s hands and position of the thumbs. Individual keys can also be customized with frequently used symbols for even faster input.
- Smart Notice: Like a personal assistant, Smart Notice provides suggestions and recommendations based on user behavior, phone usage patterns and location to offer user information when it’s needed the most. Smart Notice can remind you of a call you declined earlier and ask if you would like to call that person back. If you have a large number of unused files or apps on the LG G3 taking up valuable space, Smart Notice will ask if you would like to delete or uninstall them. But what sets Smart Notice apart from other personal assistants is its natural language capabilities. For example, instead of just displaying today’s temperature and weather forecast, Smart Notice will make a recommendation such as, “You may want to take an umbrella today since it will rain this evening.”
- Smart Security: Understanding the importance of maintaining and securing confidential data when smartphones are shared, misplaced, lost or stolen, the LG G3 offers a number of enhanced security features such as:
- Knock Code™ enables users to unlock their device with a pattern of taps. Merging security and convenience, users can create a personalized code that can be entered anywhere on the screen. With the LG G3, users have the option of being able to use KnockON to wake the screen to check the time or enter the home screen directly via Knock Code™.
- Content Lock keeps personal files safe and hidden from view when sharing the LG G3 with friends. When the G3 is connected to a PC, Content Lock prevents file previews so the data is still safe. The locked files can reside either on the LG G3’s internal memory or on the microSD card.
- Kill Switch gives LG G3 owners the ability to disable their phones remotely in the event of theft. The Kill Switch also allows content on the LG G3 to be wiped so personal information won’t be compromised. Kill Switch also includes antivirus scanning and remote wipe and lock, among other essential features.
LG will also be offering a collection of new premium accessories to accompany the LG G3:
- QuickCircle™ Case: Available in five colors, QuickCircleTM Case allows easy access to frequently used functions such as calling, text messaging, music and camera all from the QuickCircle window without opening the cover. In addition to the QuickCircleTM Case, LG will offer a lineup of Slim Guard Cases and premium Slim Hard Cases to protect the LG G3 in style.
- LG Tone Infinim™ (HBS-900): Developed in collaboration with Harman/Kardon, the Bluetooth stereo headset delivers premium audio quality sound in a stylish design. Built with retractable wire management technology and jog buttons for easy search, Tone Infinim also features Name AlertTM to verbally notify you who is calling before you answer.
- Wireless Charger: Compact and foldable, LG’s Wireless Charger is optimized for easy portability. Compatible with Qi’s wireless power charging technology, the Wireless Charger from LG makes staying powered up as convenient as possible.
The LG G3 will begin rolling out worldwide (starting on May 28 in South Korea) on over 170 carriers. Additional details will be announced locally at the time of availability.
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Edward Snowden wants you to call him what he is: a trained government spy
Edward Snowden has been called a variety of things: whistleblower, patriot, traitor. But when it comes to his technical expertise, he’s usually just referred to as a hacker, contractor or some flavor of system administrator. That, Snowden says, doesn’t do his role and background justice. In an excerpt of an NBC interview, Snowden asserts that he’s a technical expert “trained as a spy in sort of the traditional sense of the word,” worked undercover and overseas for the CIA and NSA, lectured at a counterintelligence training academy and implemented systems for the government “at all levels.” According to the infamous whistleblower, he qualifies as a spy in the classic sense since he “lived and worked undercover overseas – pretending to work in a job that I’m not – and even being assigned a name that was not mine.”
So, how does Snowden claim Uncle Sam gets away with obscuring his experience? By pointing to the less illustrious portions of his resume, of course. “But what they’re trying to do, is they’re trying to use one position that I’ve had in a career here or there to distract from the totality of my experience,” Snowden explained. “So when they say that I’m a low-level systems administrator, that I don’t know what I’m talking about, I’d say it’s somewhat misleading.”
You can feast your peepers on the clip below, and catch NBC’s full chat with the international man of mystery when it airs tonight.
Filed under: Misc
Source: NBC
Engadget Daily: LG announces the G3, Toshiba unveils three new tablets, and more!
We went hands-on with LG’s newly announced its G3 smartphone, took a look at Toshiba’s latest trio of tablets, learned that the legendary B-52 bomber is still a force to be reckoned with and more. Read on for Engadget’s news highlights from the last 24 hours.
LG’s G3 flagship is a bigger, simpler, higher-res smartphone
Today, LG announced the G3, and yes, it is equipped with a beautiful 5.5-inch Quad HD display and laser autofocusing feature. What’s more, we managed to go hands-on with the handset. So click on through for our impressions and photos.
The US Air Force’s oldest bomber is now a flying network
The B-52 bomber is one of the most reliable aircraft ever designed, but at over 50 years old, it seems an upgrade is in order. Now outfitted with a modernized communications system called CONECT, the B-52 plans to keep on truckin’ in this era of real-time data transmission.
Toshiba’s new tablets are aggressively priced, especially its $110 Android slate
Today, Toshiba added to its lineup of slates with the 8- and 10-inch Encore 2, as well as the Excite Go. Sure, they aren’t the fastest tablets on the block, but they do have very attractive price tags.
Australian Apple users held to ransom by Find My iPhone hacker
A group of hackers managed to lock a few Australians out of their iPhones… using Apple’s own Find my iPhone feature. Several victims were spared because they already had a passcode in place, but others weren’t so lucky.
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Filed under: Misc
German scientists make it possible to fly a plane with your brain
Mind control technology gives you the capability to do things you didn’t think possible — like piloting a plane even if you have zero flying experience. A team of researchers from the Technische Universität München and the TU Berlin in Germany have not only developed the technology to fly planes with thoughts alone, but also demonstrated how precise it is. The scientists, led by Professor Florian Holzapfel, had seven subjects (one with no cockpit experience at all) use a flight simulator, and apparently, they all navigated the virtual skies with enough accuracy to pass a flying license test. To make the brain-to-plane communication possible, the group outfitted the subjects with a cap connected to EEG electrodes. Signals from the subjects’ brains were then translated into commands using an algorithm developed by the TU Berlin scientists.
According to Tim Fricke, head of this EU-funded project called Brainflight, the research’s long-term goal is to make flying more accessible to more people. We doubt the Average Joe can put on an EEG cap and fly any plane soon, but in the meantime, the technology could make flying safer as it gives pilots the freedom to do more tasks in the cockpit.
Filed under: Misc
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Technische Universität München
Volvo building an electric roadway to wirelessly charge buses
Not content with its energy-sipping plug in hybrid buses, energy-friendly Gothenburg, the Volvo Group and Swedish Transport Administration have announced grand plans to hopefully augment its Hyper Bus fleet with inductive charging. Hyper Bus, or Hybrid and Plug-in Extended Range Bus system, recharges its power supply with a quick charging rig that takes only five to eight minutes to top up power at the end of the line. This quick charge enables the bus to run most of its route on electric power alone because it doesn’t need to stop for hours to juice up. One-upping itself, the program is now looking at creating a test route dubbed: ElectriCity — clever, right? — which will feature a 300 to 500 meter (roughly 1000 to 1500 feet) inductive charging pathway. Aimed at replacing those quick charging stations, the test route will zap the bus’ power source wirelessly while it’s in motion. The group hopes to have a system up and running in central Gothenburg sometime in mid-2015. Bonus? If your stop happens to be near the wireless charging area, someday laying a phone down on the road could help boost your battery life — or melt the handset — while you wait.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: Autoblog
Source: Volvo Group
Google whips up its own self-driving vehicles that lose the steering wheel and pedals
Google has been tweaking its self-driving car project for years, but now it’s taking another big step. Later this summer it will start testing prototype vehicles it’s designed from the ground up, instead of merely retrofitting existing vehicles. Announced tonight the the Code Conference, the new prototypes aren’t equipped with a steering wheel, mirrors, pedals or other vestiges of vehicles gone by, and for now are limited to a maximum speed of 25MPH. As explained in an early preview to Re/code, the car is driven entirely by computer, with backup automated systems for brakes and steering that would take over in case of a failure of the primary setup. So far, Google says it’s not planning to sell the vehicles itself, but is looking for “friends and partners to bring them to market. Following rumors from late last year, the automated cars could partner with a “friend” like Uber for a delivery service that runs on autopilot. Take a peek at test drives and demo videos explaining how the cars work after the break.
Developing…
The prototypes shown have a rounded, cartoonish appearance, and Google says they’re built with foam and flexible windshields that reduce the chance for injury if they do collide with anything. Before they hit the road entirely sans-drive though, Google will need to address regulations requiring a test driver inside. It expects new legislation will allow for the fully-automated vehicles soon, which we guess is bound to be better than the texting, eating or napping drivers we currently share our commutes with.
Would you buy a self-driving car powered by Google?
Filed under: Transportation, Google
Source: Google Blog, Re/code
Valve: don’t expect to buy a Steam Machine until 2015
Looking forward to putting a gaming PC in your entertainment center? Keep waiting: Valve says it doesn’t expect to officially launch its Steam Machine until 2015. The delay was announced in a rather casual blog post, and the update is loosely worded — it’s a “release window,” not a promise. The quality of the controller seems to be the main thing holding back the release: Valve says its getting a substantial amount of feedback. “It means we’ll be able to make the controller a lot better,” the company writes. “Of course, it’s also keeping us pretty busy.”
Naturally, the firm is eager to get the Steam Machines into consumer hands, but says it wants to ensure that its customers are getting “the best gaming experience possible.” Of course, delaying the launch of the official controller could have unforeseen repercussions: by the time the platform launches in 2015, the prototypes we saw at CES may very well be outdated. A harrowing thought — but at least Valve’s launch partners have the rest of the year to tweak their hardware designs.
Filed under: Gaming
Source: Valve
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