How well do Uber drivers rate you?
Uber’s car service lets you rate your drivers, but it also lets them rate you. The customer might always be right, but some customers are simply jerks — and the system lets drivers know what they might be in for. Until now, there’s been no way to draw out your customer rating from the app, but with a little Javascript magic, courtesy of Aaron Landy, you can cajole Uber’s mobile site into spitting out your rating, out of 5. Log into Uber’s mobile site, then open the console (for Chrome: View -> Developer -> Javascript Console from the drop-down menu), and paste some javascript code in. The browser will reload, and you’ll need to paste the code again. Another reload, and a popup will offer up your user details and your passenger rating. The hack might even the odds a little: drivers have been able to see how passengers have ranked their rides for a while. It’s like leaving feedback on eBay all over again.
Only thing holding me back from a perfect 5 is that one driver who got a ticket and took it out on me.
– Sarah Silbert (@sarahsilbert) July 28, 2014
4.7 
RT @engadget: How well do @Uber drivers rate you? http://t.co/SWKftogyER pic.twitter.com/9xrGrVk1L0
– John Colucci (@johncolucci) July 28, 2014
Want to know the really super easy way of seeing your Uber rating? Ask your next driver to show you. Mine’s 4.3 apparently
– Kadhim (@kadhimshubber) July 28, 2014
5.0. The gold standard. How well do @Uber drivers rate you? http://t.co/fQgGLhdAxl
– Mat Smith (@thatmatsmith) July 28, 2014
Filed under: Transportation, Internet
Source: Medium (Aaron Landy)
Why the Apple iPhone 6 may cause other phones to get slightly more Expensive
It’s probably somewhat of an understatement to say that many of us in the Android community couldn’t care less about what happens to Apple‘s latest rumoured device, the Apple iPhone 6. Unfortunately, its existence might have an undesired side-effect on the rest of the smartphone market, and it seems to stem from the fact that Apple has allegedly placed an order of 70-80 million iPhone 6s to be made in anticipation of its launch. While that in itself isn’t the issue, it’s the effect that it’s going to have on the contracted manufacturers that is going to affect many corners of the Android world.
Media in China have allegedly said to expect a 5-10% price increase on flagship devices due to Apple’s large order. The increase in price is reportedly going to be caused by contracted manufacturers needing to make iPhone 6′s with the limited resources they have; consider Foxconn, which manufacturers parts for not only Apple, but Sony, Motorola, Nokia and many others. Is seems this would inevitably push supply of these other devices lower, resulting in a price increase. Clearly I’m no economist, but Apple’s huge order looks like it is definitely going to have some kind of effect on the smartphone market, but it’s unclear whether manufacturers are happy to bear the brunt themselves or pass the costs onto buyers.
What do you think about the possibility of a price hike due to the manufacture of the Apple iPhone 6? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Source: udn.com via Phone Arena
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The post Why the Apple iPhone 6 may cause other phones to get slightly more Expensive appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
How would you change the BlackBerry Q10?
BlackBerry was slow to see the danger of touchscreen phones, which meant that BlackBerry 10 was a year or so too late to arrive. When it did, however, the company launched the all-touch Z10 first, alienating the keyboard-loving faithful that clung to BlackBerry in its darkest days. But when the Q10 finally came, our Tim Stevens found it to be painfully average — and the subsequent year hasn’t been kind to either the device or the company. But lets talk about the hardware itself, talk to us about your experiences and what, if anything would you change? While you’re thinking that way, why not try writing a review of the device, too? Just hit the “Review Device” button and you can add your voice to that of our critics.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Blackberry
Source: Engadget Product Forums, Engadget Reviews
Apple Stores to Allow Customers to Purchase iPhone Through U.S. Carriers’ Early Upgrade Programs [iOS Blog]
Apple Retail Stores will soon allow customers to purchase an iPhone through U.S. carrier early upgrade programs including AT&T Next, Verizon Edge, and T-Mobile Jump, reports 9to5Mac. Apple is aiming to implement the new initiative right before the launch of the iPhone 6 this fall, as both Genius Bar workers and store employees will receive training on the program from Sunday, August 10 to Thursday, August 28.
Currently, Apple Store customers are only limited to purchasing an iPhone through a regular two-year contract at subsidized pricing or unlocked at full-price. All three early upgrade programs allow customers to upgrade their phones more frequently as the complete cost of a device is split into monthly payments which are rolled into the standard bill each month. Verizon and T-Mobile allow customers to upgrade their phones twice every year after six months of payments, while AT&T customers can upgrade once every 12 months after a year of payments.
The move also comes after Apple Stores began allowing customers to add pre-paid or month-to-month plans when purchasing full-priced, unlocked iPhones in June. Apple CEO Tim Cook noted last year that 80 percent of iPhones are sold at third-party locations while 20 percent are sold by Apple, adding that it was a figure he would like to improve. Apple has launched a number of other programs in its retail store to boost in-store sales, which included an event this past May encouraging iPhone 4 and 4s owners to update to a newer device.
Next-generation lithium cells will double your phone’s battery life
The lithium ion batteries in your mobile devices are inherently limited by the “ion” part of their name; they can safely use lithium only in the part of the cell that supplies ions, wasting a lot of potential energy. It’s good news, then, that researchers at Stanford have developed a new lithium battery that could last for much, much longer. The technique allows for denser, more efficient lithium in the battery’s anode (which discharges electrons) by using a nanoscopic carbon shield that keeps the unstable chemical in check — uncontrolled, it can quickly shorten the device’s lifespan.
The result is a power pack that lasts considerably longer on charge, won’t decay quickly and remains relatively safe. Stanford’s Steven Chu (the former US Secretary of Energy) reckons that a cellphone equipped with these advanced lithium cells could have two to three times the battery life, and automakers could build cheap electric cars that still offer a healthy driving range. There’s more engineering work required before you see any shipping products, but it’s entirely possible that future portable gadgets will run for more than a day on a charge without resorting to giant battery packs.
Filed under: Cellphones, Laptops, Tablets, Science
Via: Phys.org
Source: Nature
[DEALS & STEALS] You can get JayBird BlueBuds X + Ultimate Ears Mini BOOM bluetooth speaker bundle for only $170 ($100 off) at BestBuy
If you’re in for a great audio bundle or in need for top of the line wireless bluetooth earphones and a great speaker, look no further. BestBuy has a great deal for you, they’ve bundled in JayBird BlueBuds X and Ultimate Ears Mini bluetooth speaker for only $170, which is $100 off the regular price…. Read more »
The post [DEALS & STEALS] You can get JayBird BlueBuds X + Ultimate Ears Mini BOOM bluetooth speaker bundle for only $170 ($100 off) at BestBuy appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Amazon is reportedly making a Square-like payment card reader
Amazon may revolve around online shopping, but it apparently has some interest in brick-and-mortar retail — there are now hints that it’s launching a Square-style payment card reader. The crew at 9to5Mac has obtained Staples documents showing that a $10 “Amazon Card Reader” is launching sometime in the near future. While there’s no exact release date on hand, the supply store is expected to start advertising Amazon’s gadget on August 12th; logic suggests the peripheral would go on sale around then.
The company hasn’t confirmed any plans, so take the apparent leak with a few grains of salt. We’ve reached out to Amazon to see if it can shed more light on the subject. Such a move would make sense for the e-commerce giant, though. It launched a wallet app mere days ago, so it clearly has an existing interest in the mobile payment sphere. Provided the leak is accurate, the real question is whether or not Jeff Bezos and company can lure stores away from the likes of Square or PayPal. This is already a fiercely competitive space, and many retailers are already wary of Amazon given that it thrives on luring customers away from conventional shops.
Filed under: Peripherals, Internet, Amazon
Source: 9to5Mac
Feedback Loop: Yosemite beta, Kindle Unlimited and more!
Ready for a fresh edition of Feedback Loop? This week featured discussions about Apple’s OS X Yosemite beta, Kindle Unlimited, Nokia’s naming conventions, MMO mice and iWatch speculation. Head past the break to talk about all this and more with your fellow Engadget readers.
Share your impressions of the OS X Yosemite beta
Apple just made the beta version of its upcoming operating system update available for download. Engadget Managing Editor Dana Wollman took a look at what we can expect in her Yosemite preview. Are you one of those brave souls who likes living on the bleeding edge? If so, share your own impressions of OS X Yosemite and let us know what you think!
Is Kindle Unlimited worth the cost?
Amazon’s new Kindle Unlimited service gives you all-you-can-read access for $10 per month, competing against services like Oyster and Scribd. Engadget’s product database manager, Kris, wonders whether the service is worth it. She argues that it’s easy to binge-watch shows and movies on services like Netflix, but it’s much harder to binge-read a series of novels. Will you be subscribing to Amazon’s new service? Sound off in the Engadget forums!
Silly model numbers from Microsoft and Nokia
It should be pretty easy to figure out which devices are better based on model numbers alone, right? A “2″ is bigger than a “1,” so “2″ must be better. Take the Nokia Lumia 520 and Lumia 530 for example. TgD examines the differences between each device and wonders whether the Lumia 530 is really better than the Lumia 520. How do you feel when manufacturers do this?
Where are all the MMO mice?
Massively multiplayer online games are some of the most popular types of titles that people play. There was a time when hardware manufacturers like Razer and Logitech made gaming mice that specifically catered to this group. However, Quaddragon feels there’s been little innovation in this area. Where are all the good MMO gaming mice?
Should Apple’s rumored smartwatch include a SIM card?
Apple’s smartwatch has long been rumored and we may finally see it as soon as this fall. Engadget forums user Korrekturlesen speculates on whether or not the watch would have a SIM card. Does this sound like a good idea? Share your thoughts right here.
Other discussions you may also like:
- What’s a good homepage for your browser?
- Sony RX-10 vs. Canon T3i Rebel
- Why is OS X sooooooooo slow to access SMB shares over a network?
That’s all this week! Want to talk about your favorite gadget or have a burning question about technology? Register for an Engadget account today, visit the Engadget forums and start a new discussion!
Chart Suggests Speed-Bumped 15-Inch Retina MacBook Pros with 16GB of RAM Standard Coming Soon
Apple may be planning to launch a slightly refreshed line of 15-inch Retina MacBook Pros complete with faster Haswell processors and 16GB of RAM standard, according to a photo said to have come from the company’s Chongqing, China store (via BBS Feng, Google Translate).
The purported pricing chart shows two standard configurations priced at 14,288 yuan and 18,688 yuan, which is the same as Apple’s current pricing for its 15-inch notebook line in China. If real, this pricing chart would likely indicate that Apple would keep its current pricing instead of offering each new model for less as done for the MacBook Air earlier this year.
The first configuration comes with a faster Intel Core i7 2.2 GHz processor and 16GB of RAM standard compared to the current 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7 and 8GB of RAM found on the current base model 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro. Meanwhile, the second configuration features a 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7 processor and the same 16GB of RAM, up from the current 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 processor. Both models feature the same graphics, with the first configuration coming with Intel’s Iris Pro graphics and the second coming with both the Iris Pro and NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 750M.
A third high-end configuration priced at 23,688 yuan also appears on the chart, boasting a 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of flash storage, and Intel’s Iris Pro graphics plus a NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M.
All of the processors listed on the chart correspond to Intel’s new line of Core i7 Haswell processors launched last week, perhaps indicating that an updated 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro line may be imminent. Apple’s line of 13-inch Retina MacBook Pros should also see an update in the near future, as Intel also launched new Core i5 Haswell processors alongside its refreshed i7 Haswell chips.
A minor refresh of the Retina MacBook Pro line was originally noted earlier this year alongside a rumored 12-inch Retina MacBook. According to the latest reports, the 12-inch Retina MacBook may be pushed back to next year because of Intel’s delayed Broadwell chips.
Sure enough, you can play ‘Doom’ on an ATM
The quest to play Doom on just about everything won’t be over any time soon, it seems. A team of Australians has torn open and modified an ATM to play id Software’s classic first-person shooter using some of the bank machine’s built-in controls. This isn’t the hardest hack in the world — ATMs like this run Windows XP, after all — but it still required custom software and logic, including a circuit board that can remap buttons meant for deposits instead of demon slaying. What you see in the video below is just the start, too. The group already has the side buttons working for weapon selection, and it hopes to make the number pad usable. There’s also talk of tweaking the game to use the receipt printer; if you wanted, you could have it spit out proof that you finished a tough level. The odds of getting the hardware to recreate this feat are sadly rather slim, but it’s good to know that even your local ATM can handle some proper shoot-’em-up action.
Filed under: Gaming
Via: Hack A Day
Source: Aussie50 (YouTube)
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