Verizon and Sprint HTC One M7′s Picking up Sense 6 Updates
Looks like a mid-week OTA is underway for the HTC One M7 on two carriers. As of today, Sprint HTC One M7 owners should start to see an update that brings in Sense 6 along with updates to Blinkfeed, the camera and gallery apps and TV app. Since you guys got KitKat back in January, you won’t see anything new in terms of Android version jumps. This update will carry along with it a version number of 5.03.651.3.
On big red, the update is similar. bringing in Sense 6.0 and the other things mentioned above. You guys will also have some W-Fi connectivity issues resolved, ISIS Wallet payments working and Emergency Alerts preloaded. For you guys, you will be looking for version number 4.10.605.3 with a baseband of 1.13.41.0421.
As for both carriers updates, you can expect it to roll out in stages and take a little time to every device out there. You can head into Settings > Phone updates > Check for updates to see if it ready for you. If it is, be sure you have over 50% battery life, a solid Wi-Fi connection and a little time to download and install it.
Source: Sprint / Verizon Via: AndroidPolice / Droid-Life
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Apple Seeds First OS X Mavericks 10.9.4 Beta to Developers
Apple today seeded the first build of OS X 10.9.4 to developers, approximately two weeks after releasing OS X 10.9.3 to the public. The new beta is available thorugh the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store should be listed soon in the Mac Dev Center.
It is unclear what improvements the 10.9.4 update will bring to Mavericks, but it is likely to include bug fixes and stability enhancements. It is also unclear when the beta might be released to the public.
The last Mavericks update, 10.9.3, added enhanced support for 4K displays and restored the ability to sync contacts and calendars between Mac and iOS devices over USB.
Analyst Shares Crazy List of Apple Prototypes Allegedly Floating Around Asian Supply Chain
Apple is working on a multitude of prototype projects ranging from the expected to the fantastical, according to Jefferies analyst Peter Misek, who suggests the prototypes are “floating around” in the Asian supply chain. In a research note to investors, Misek describes several prototype products, including an iTV with 4K, gesture control, and voice control, along with an ARM-based touchscreen MacBook Air, and an “OLED iPhone that unfolds into an iPad mini.”
In contrast to investors’ fears, the supply chain thinks Apple’s innovation may be accelerating. With more than the usual number of prototypes floating around, here are some highlights (with the caveat that Apple might be purposely leaking to confuse competitors): 5.5″ OLED phone with 2k >660ppi display; iTV with full gesture control, voice control, and 4K; touchscreen MacBook Air running on A8; 4″ OLED iPhone that unfolds into an iPad mini; smartwatch prototypes including curved bangle-type and curved-screen; and wearables including health care appliances and payment authentication modules.
While some of these products, such as the smartwatch prototypes sound plausible, some, such as the folding iPhone, range into the almost-unbelievable.
Curved bangle-style iWatch concept by Todd Hamilton
Given Apple’s commitment to secrecy, it seems unlikely that many of these described prototype devices are available in the Asian supply chain. Apple maintains a highly exclusive design lab for its prototype products, which are likely produced in-house or in very small quantities by manufacturing partners, leaving the legitimacy of the “prototypes” discovered by Misek in question.
Apple has been rumored to be working on Apple television set prototypes and experimenting with ARM-based Macs, but it is unclear whether these type of products will make it out of the prototype stage.
Peter Misek has been frequently incorrect with his predictions, but occasionally, one of his reports is accurate. He was one of the first analysts to point towards early iPhone 6 prototypes in a 4.8-inch size, but he also incorrectly predicted several elements of the iPhone 5s and has long championed an Apple iTV that has not materialized. He has previously suggested Apple planned to merge iOS and OS X, which was not true, and he has predicted Apple signed deals to create an iTunes Netflix competitor, which did not happen.
In his research note, Misek also suggests that the iWatch is ready to go into full production and could thus be announced at any time, but this contrasts other reports that suggest the device will begin production in July. Misek believes the rumored 5.5-inch iPhone, which is said to be somewhat delayed in comparison to the 4.7-inch version, will launch at the earliest in November with a new in-cell display coating technology.
iOS App Store Top Charts Now Display 150 Results, Down From 300 [iOS Blog]
Apple has changed the number of apps displayed in the “Top Charts” section of the iOS App Store, reports TechCrunch. Rather than displaying the top 300 apps in a given section, only the top 150 apps are displayed on the Paid, Free, and Top Grossing charts.
The change was implemented several days ago and has largely gone under the radar, but it does leave half as many apps available for discovery via the Top Charts, a fairly significant change. Apple’s desktop iTunes App Store continues to display the top 200 apps.
While it is unclear why the iOS App Store is now displaying fewer apps in its Top Charts, the shift follows an earlier change to the App Store rankings designed to promote better app discovery.
According to Appsfire CEO Ouriel Ohayon, the change will not impact developers in as the bottom Top Chart listings did not have a significant impact on app downloads.
Intel’s vision for wearables includes… a shirt?
The next biggest thing in wearables is apparently something that’s already technically… wearable: A smart shirt. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich came to the Code Conference wearing a shirt laden with sensors capable of monitoring your health, such as heart rate and even emotion. These sensors can communicate with an app on your smartphone.
The shirt, which should be coming out sometime this summer, contains a battery which isn’t meant to be wet (though Krzanich insists you can take it out in the rain), so you’ll just need to make sure you take it out before you put it in the washer. The company doesn’t plan to make the actual shirts, but it’s working on building the sensors embedded within the literal wearable. This is only part of Krzanich’s vision, which includes “eyes, ears, wrist and torso,” so this likely won’t be the last we see of intriguing new use cases for wearable tech. No word on pricing or availability yet, but keep your shirt on — we’ll make sure to let you know as soon as we hear word.
Watch Samsung’s ‘Voice of the Body’ event here
When we received an invitation for a Samsung event “around health” a few weeks ago, our thoughts immediately leapt to a potential health-centered product, perhaps either a new wearable or an updated app. Since then, we’ve heard tell that there would be no such announcements at all. Which, given that the event is set up by Samsung’s Strategy and Innovation Center — known more for components and partnerships — is not entirely surprising. Still, the fact that the event is now dubbed “Voice of the Body” and will be held at the SFJazz Center makes us intrigued as to what Samsung has planned for the “future of health.” Thankfully, the company has provided us a livestream of the event, which starts at 10:30 a.m. PT/1:30 p.m. ET. You can tune into it after the break.
Put your back out again? Doctors now available to order through Zesty
Zesty.co.uk launched this time last year as an online portal for booking last-minute dentist appointments at clinics across London. While it’s no doubt been useful for anyone that needs an emergency (and likely extortionately priced) filling, the site has now expanded to help you access other healthcare services at short notice. Whether you’re in need of a chiropractor, osteopath, physiotherapist or sexual health professional, you can use Zesty to check for open appointments in your local area. You can even book in to see a GP, but only at private clinics — for a short-notice slot at your own NHS surgery, we’re afraid you’ll still have to be on the phone by 7am. In its quest to “make healthcare appointments as easy as ordering a pizza,” Zesty plans to go almost UK-wide later this year and release a native app to compliment its mobile-optimised site. Before you get the wrong impression from Zesty’s strange tagline and accompanying imagery: your pizza delivery guy is not qualified to give medical advice.
Filed under: Internet
Source: Zesty
Smash’s new wristband helps perfect your tennis swing
We’ve come a long, long way since the days when smart wristwear did little more than track your footsteps. Need proof? Smash has unveiled a wearable dedicated to tennis. The wristband uses motion sensors to track many aspects of your swing, ranging from spin to your favorite shot types. Once you’re done attacking the ball, you can check your performance through a connected Android or iOS device — it’ll be clear if your volleys need more power, or your backhand is inconsistent.
Smash is crowdfunding its gadget with hopes of shipping it in February. If you’re looking to improve your game, it’ll currently take a $129 Australian pledge ($119 US plus $10 in shipping) to get the finished wearable; wait until the planned release and the device will set you back $199 AUD ($184 US). That’s as much as some nicer general-purpose fitness trackers, but it may be justified if you absolutely have to be victorious on the tennis court.
Filed under: Wearables
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Kickstarter, Smash
Old console, new tricks: Getting the most out of your Wii
It’s not a great time to be a Nintendo fan. Forecasts are falling; profits are down; and Nintendo’s new console just can’t bottle the lightning its predecessor left behind. The faithful may believe that the Wii U will pull through (after all, Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. are just around the corner), but even diehard fans need something to play in the meantime. Look backward, friends: The Nintendo Wii still has some life in it. Dust off your Wiimotes and don your protective jackets — we’ve found four ways to revitalize your old Wii.
Throw out your composite cables
Remember that standard definition video cable you found in the Wii’s retail box? Toss that out: It’s junk. The Wii isn’t a high-def game console, but that’s no reason to settle for outmoded video input. Upgrading to component cables makes games noticeably sharper; just make sure you hop into your Wii’s settings menu to enable 480p output.
Protip: If your TV is too hip for component cables, search out the Wii2HDMI dongle. It does exactly what it says it does: drags your Wii into the modern paradigm of home theater cabling.
Buy better controllers
Speaking of substandard equipment that came in the box, we need to talk about the Wii Remote. This white wand may have ushered in a new era of motion-controlled gaming, but it’s actually the least advanced motion controller of its generation. Nintendo eventually tried to fix this with the Wii Motion Plus, an uncomfortable gyroscope attachment that hung awkwardly from the controller’s expansion port. Toss these out too — Nintendo’s newer Wiimotes come with the extra sensor baked in. They’re compatible with the Wii U, too, should you ever want to upgrade.
Protip: If you have even a passing interest in Nintendo’s Virtual Console, take a look at the Classic Controller Pro. It doesn’t have any fancy motion controls, but it’s compatible with every classic on the Wii Shop Channel.
Leverage the library
The Wii U may be facing a drought of AAA releases, but its predecessor was flush with them. The Wii has a killer collection of first-party titles, including two Legend of Zelda games, both Super Mario Galaxy titles, the fantastic Metroid Prime Trilogy and even the return of the Donkey Kong Country franchise. Not good enough? There’s a wide assortment of third-party games to choose from, too: Games like House of the Dead: Overkill, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Okami, A Boy and his Blob and Sonic Colors have plenty to offer, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you neglected your Wii in favor of the previous generation’s powerhouses, now’s a great time to see what you missed.
Protip: It’s no secret that the Wii is a beefed-up GameCube. Find yourself a wired controller and memory card and pilfer that library too.
Hack your Wii
Still not enough? You’ve got one more avenue of Wii resuscitation, and it’s a biggie: homebrew. The Nintendo Wii is probably the most hackable game console ever made. With little more than an SD card, the internet and some moxie, the old system can do, well, almost anything. The homebrew community has created USB loaders, classic game emulators, cheat engines, DVD players and even Wii-specific Linux distributions.
Setting it up is easy, too: The same LetterBomb trick that unlocked the Wii in 2011 still works today. After that, it’s as simple as loading a few apps onto a SD card and calling up the Homebrew Channel. Not sure what apps to load? Check out an application called Homebrew Browser (not to be confused with the aforementioned channel) — it serves as a makeshift marketplace for the console, maintaining a downloadable list of popular games, apps and emulators.
Protip: Now that Nintendo has shuttered its multiplayer servers, Homebrew servers are the only way to play Wii games online. Check it out here.
[Image credit: hermitsmoores/Flickr (composite cables); Radharc Images/Alamy (Wii game cases)]
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Software, HD, Nintendo
LG says Flex 2, Vu 4 due later this year
For those looking for the successor of the LG G Flex and LG Vu 3, this one’s for you. LG plans on releasing the successors to these phones sometime in the second half of 2014. The company held a press event in Seoul, right after the LG G3 announcement, explaining the company’s plans to release the G Flex 2 and the Vu 4 later this year.
Though the G Flex isn’t the most popular device out there, we can’t help but get excited for what LG has in store for us. LG have already pushed the boundaries as to what smartphones are capable of, especially with new screen technology. The G Flex has completely blown Samsung’s Galaxy Round out of the water when it comes to curved smartphones, so we’ll have to see what improvements bring later this year.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Vu series, don’t beat yourselves up. The Vu 3 was mostly contained to the Korean market, so we likely won’t see a US release for the Vu 4. The Vu line has struggled to keep up with the phablets of today, mostly due to its 4:3 display ratio.
We aren’t surprised that LG is releasing a follow up to these two phones, but it never hurts to have a bit of confirmation here and there. We’ll have more news for you as more information surfaces on these devices. What do you think the G Flex 2 and Vu 4 will bring? We’d love to hear your opinions!
Source: ITToday.co.kr, Via: G for Games
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