Watch This App: PixtoCam for Android Wear
So you’ve got an Android Wear device and now you’re looking for some Android apps to go along with it. We’ve got you covered. Our Watch This App column is designed to help educate readers in the various apps available for the platform and highlight the best of the bunch. Watch This App: PixtoCam for Android Wear PixtoCam lets… Read more »
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Nike has a vending machine that lets you trade Fuel for gear
When we heard that Nike had put up a secret vending machine in New York City, we definitely wanted to go find it and see what all the fuss was about. But, unfortunately, we were a little bit late to the party — the machine is now long gone, perhaps on its way to a new place (maybe Japan?). Nike’s FuelBox, as the company has adequately dubbed it, is a vending machine which dispenses goods in exchange for your daily, not total, FuelBand points. As TechCrunch pointed out, Nike packed the FuelBox with a number of different stuff, including hats, shirts and socks (sorry, no kicks). It’s certainly a fun incentive to drive people to rack up Fuel on their bands, and it shows that, despite the rumors of the FuelBand going away, Nike is still very heavily invested in doing things for that community. Stay on the lookout, because Nike says you never know where it could show up next.
The Nike+ FuelBox is gone for now. Keep moving, you never know where we’ll be next. #nikefuelbox
– Nike NYC (@NikeNYC) July 18, 2014
[Image credits: Nike NYC]
Filed under: Misc, Peripherals, Wearables
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Nike NYC (Twitter)
You can buy your next Dell laptop with Bitcoin
If you fancy nabbing new tech by leveraging your Bitcoin wallet, another online retailer has just joined the fray. CEO Michael Dell alerted the masses via Twitter that his company would begin accepting the digital currency, claiming that the outfit is “world’s largest ecommerce business” to do so. The device maker is partnering with Coinbase to power its transactions, and those looking to snag a new Alienware rig will earn a discount when forking over Bitcoin for payment.
[Photo credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Dell is now the world’s largest ecommerce business to accept #bitcoin http://t.co/xC41rKTYXi http://t.co/0YqPK7MfVG
– Michael Dell (@MichaelDell) July 18, 2014
Filed under: Desktops, Displays, Laptops, Tablets, Internet, Dell
Source: @MichaelDell (Twitter), Dell
Vent: A semi-anonymous app that feels your pain
I really enjoy the anonymous sharing app Secret, as the posts are quite often hilarious and I’m usually able to narrow down a sharer’s identity to two or three people. (Those Engadget in-jokes are a real telltale.) For the same reasons that I like reading Secret, though, I’d never consider posting on the app myself. If I were to share anything remotely personal, I’d want to get as far away from my extended group of friends and colleagues as possible. That’s why I found a relatively new app, called Vent, so intriguing. Currently available on iOS (with an Android version on the way), it does exactly what its name implies: It lets you vent. And the best part is that your contacts list stays out of the picture — you’re sharing with random users who stumble upon your posts, and your profile can remain as anonymous as you like.
It’s a little addictive; you can search for vents sorted by emotion (Calm, Irritated, Annoyed, Angry or Furious, and from mildest to most intense), and as with the Secret app, you can like and comment on individual posts. You can also follow individual users, though the beauty of Vent is that you don’t need to have other friends posting to enjoy the app.
On a recent trip, I turned to the app to voice my discontent about the lack of personal space in airports — I categorized that vent as “irritated,” for the record — and even though I have yet to receive any likes or comments, it felt satisfying to see my post in the river of complaints from other irritated souls. The comments I’ve seen on others are overwhelmingly positive and supportive as well. As with Secret, you have the option to report any inappropriate posts, and the comments on Vent are extremely civil as a result. That’s a very good thing, too, because there’s plenty of serious material mixed in with the more petty complaints.
The purpose of venting is to air your issues so you can move on and calm down, and this app is an effective way to virtually get something off your chest. And when many social apps require plenty of your friends to be signed up in order to get the best experience, Vent’s a refreshing take on anonymity. Plus, it’s interesting to see how others categorize their emotions — having overly strict parents might make some posters “annoyed,” but if it was me, I’d be in full-on “furious” mode.
Dean Serroni, Vent’s co-founder, told me that an upcoming app overhaul would bring new emotions to choose from, along with additional ways to interact with fellow users’ vents (this likely means private chat). For now, iPhone users can download the app via the source link below. The Android version should launch later this year.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Vent (iTunes)
Best Buy Offers Free iHome Speaker With $0 Down iPhone Purchase, Other Deals [iOS Blog]
Best Buy is offering several deals on the iPhone throughout the end of July, beginning with a $100 discount on the 16GB Verizon iPhone 5s, which is available now through Saturday, July 26. Verizon’s iPhone 5s is typically priced at $199 at Best Buy.
Beginning on Sunday, July 20, Best Buy will be offering a free iHome portable speaker (a $299 value) for any customer who purchases an iPhone with $0 down using monthly installment plans from various carriers including AT&T Next, Verizon Edge, or Sprint Easy Pay at a Best Buy Mobile specialty store location.
Customers who purchase a phone using one of these plans will be given a code to redeem for the speaker, which will be sent to their home address. Best Buy’s speaker deal lasts through Saturday, July 26.
Best Buy is also offering a $200 Best Buy gift card with the purchase of any open box iPhone (4s, 5, or 5s) on AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint with a two-year activation. The gift card can be used towards the smartphone purchase. Open box phones are available in Best Buy stores, Best Buy Mobile Specialty Stores and on BestBuy.com. This deal lasts through August 2.
Finally, Best Buy is giving select iPhone buyers a $100 Best Buy gift card with purchase, both in-store and online. The gift card is available for the following models on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon: 8GB iPhone 4s ($1.00), 32GB iPhone 5c ($199), and 64GB iPhone 5s ($350). Either a two-year contract or a $0 down monthly billing plan with AT&T Next, Verizon Edge, or Sprint Easy Pay is required.
Playdate: We’re livestreaming the ‘Destiny’ beta for PlayStation 4!
Welcome, ladygeeks and gentlenerds, to the new era of gaming. The one where you get to watch, and comment, as other people livestream gameplay from next-gen consoles. Because games! They’re fun!
When the folks behind Halo, Bungie Studios, offered a taste of their next big franchise earlier this year, we jumped in to show it off. And now that Destiny‘s beta is open on PlayStation 4, we’re back to jump in once more and explore the upcoming blockbuster a final time before its official launch on September 9th. Rather than employ wildly expensive dark magic to show Destiny, we’re using the delightfully free Twitch service. Join us right here at 12PM ET (or thereabouts — technical issues do sometimes occur) for an hour-long exploration of Bungie’s next big game, Destiny.
Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD, Sony
Source: Twitch
Three customers will soon get free WiFi on the Tube
After installing WiFi throughout the London underground and allowing free access during the 2012 Olympics and well beyond, Virgin Media eventually began charging for the service to recoup some of the investment. EE and Vodafone struck a deal to keep it free for their mobile customers before that solemn day even arrived, and O2 followed suit before too long. Apparently, Three didn’t fancy jumping on the bandwagon then, but has just announced its patrons will be able to enjoy the same level of complementary connectivity by the end of the July. In early August, Three also plans to launch a new app called InTouch that’ll allow you to call and text over WiFi (O2′s Tu Go app lets you do the same), making even Tube platforms a stage for your loud and witty banter.
Filed under: Transportation, Wireless, Internet
Source: Three
Surviving on Tokyo’s vending machines
There are more vending machines per capita in Japan than in any other country in the world. And as of 2013, there are over 5 million of them. Soft drinks might make up half of those, but you can also pick up beer, sake, dried octopus, toys, pet food, hair accessories, glasses and even burgers. (Well, that last one comes with a proviso, but we’ll get to that…) We’ve got 5,000 yen (about $50) in pocket money and a day to cover Tokyo, so join us for a morning coffee and maybe something a little stronger in the evening.
Google’s not bringing its super-fast fiber internet to the UK anytime soon
Google’s only really dipping its toe in the fiber infrastucture racket at the moment, but plans are afoot to slowly expand its Fiber gigabit internet service elsewhere. According to a report from The Telegraph, the search giant is even looking as far afield as the UK, and was discussing the possibility with local network provider CityFibre. Its sources claim CityFibre has since gotten cold feet on the basis it could jeopardize a deal it has with Sky and TalkTalk to bring gigabit internet to parts of York and beyond. While that all sounds plausible and we hate to crush the dreams of speed freaks, Google has told us it’s never had any such plans.
“We have informal conversations with other telecom companies all the time. But we’ve never had any serious planning discussions about bringing Google Fiber to Britain.”
We wouldn’t expect Google to just up and show its hand if it was thinking about stirring up competition in the UK, but the statement is pretty direct regarding this specific rumor. Established UK broadband providers needn’t feel threatened just yet, it seems.
[Image credit: jah~/Flickr]
Filed under: Networking, Internet, Google
Source: The Telegraph
EU Finds Apple Lacking in Efforts to Address In-App Payment Issues
The European Commission announced today that Apple has not adequately addressed the issue of unauthorized in-app purchases, providing “no concrete and immediate solutions” to the problem, reports Reuters. This subject of in-app purchases within free apps was the focus of a recent EU investigation following complaints from several consumer groups in European Union member countries.
Apple said in a statement that it would address these concerns, but failed to disclose when and how it would make any necessary changes.
Apple takes great pride in leading the industry in parental controls that are incredibly easy to use and help ensure a great experience for parents and children on the App Store. The parental controls in iOS are strong, intuitive and customizable. And over the last year we made sure any app which enables customers to make in-app purchases is clearly marked. We’ve also created a Kids Section on the App Store with even stronger protections to cover apps designed for children younger than 13.
These controls go far beyond the features of others in the industry. But we are always working to strengthen the protections we have in place, and we’re adding great new features with iOS 8, such as Ask to Buy, giving parents even more control over what their kids can buy on the App Store.
Our goal is to continue to provide the best experience for our customers and we will continue to work with the EC member states to respond to their concerns.
Apple faces legal action from European Union member countries if it is found to be in violation of the EU consumer protection law. The company currently is being investigated by Italy’s Antitrust and Competition Authority, which is reviewing in-app purchasing policies for apps that are labeled as “free.” Apple faced similar scrutiny in the US, recently settling with the FTC in an agreement that provided $32 million in refunds to parents whose children purchased unauthorized in-app items.
Apple’s lawyers had tattled on Google to the FTC in an effort to point out that Apple was not alone in experiencing issues with unauthorized in-app purchases by children, but the EU today praised Google for its changes to address the problem, including moves to ban the use of the word “free” when referring to apps with in-app purchases.
Apple has implemented a series of changes in recent versions of iOS that prevent errant in-app purchases. iOS now requires users to enter their passcode before initiating an in-app purchase, notifies consumers before an in-app purchase is made and obtains express consent from consumers before billing them for an in-app purchase. More recently, Apple added an “Offers In-App Purchases” disclosure to app detail pages and inserted an “In-App Purchases” label for apps listed in its featured Top App Charts
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