Google Now adds discounted flight notifications
Did you know that I can predict the future? Just last week I posted an article about the Future of Google Now, and one of the things I asked for was finer tuning of current functionality within Google Now, and went on to talk about flights. Well, this afternoon, Google took one step closer to making this a reality.
Okay, so I didn’t quite predict the future…
Today Google announced that after you use Flight Search in Google, Google Now will notify you when it finds cheaper flights. Currently to use this feature, you need to be in the U.S. with the latest version of Google app. Head to the Play Store to check for an update!
I’m going to see what else I can predict…
via 9to5google
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Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Quickly Dominate Japanese Smartphone Sales [iOS Blog]
Apple’s new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus handsets are dominating the Japanese market in their first week of sales, reports Forbes, which cited weekly sales rankings provided by Japan’s BCN. iPhone sales were boosted by carrier Softbank, which edged out KDDI and NTT DoCoMo as the top wireless provider and accounted for 42.9 percent of weekly iPhone sales. According to the tracking, individual iPhone models took the top 18 spots in sales for the week.
The iPhone 6 was the most popular iPhone version, displacing competitors and the company’s own the iPhone 5s and 5c handsets, which previously topped the list for the month of August. According to BCN, the relative split between iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models was roughly 82 percent to 18 percent, with the smaller iPhone 6 seeing much greater sales than the larger model.
BCN tracks smartphones on a weekly and monthly basis, and in its latest weekly rankings the iPhone 6 took 8 of the top 10 spots with the iPhone 5s taking 5th and 8th place. The iPhone 6 Plus’ highest ranking was 11th and it has a fairly strong showing taking 5 of the next 7 spots.
Apple’s success compares to the month of August where the iPhone 5s took the 3rd and 4th positions and the 5c captured the 6th, 7th and 10th positions.
A similar dominance of the iPhone 6 was observed in US metrics with the iPhone 6 far outpacing the bigger iPhone 6 Plus. Much of this disparity may be the result of supply constraints affecting the availability of iPhone 6 Plus handsets, making it much harder for customers to find the models in retail stores and online.
Apple began selling the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus on September 19 and sold a record-breaking ten million handsets in the first weekend of sales. Demand for the handset remains high with minimum ship times of seven to ten days for most iPhone 6 models and three to four weeks for iPhone 6 Plus versions.
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Rumored 12.-9-Inch ‘iPad Pro’ May Include More Powerful A8X Processor
Apple’s 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablet is rumored to be landing as soon as early 2015, with the latest report from Taiwan’s TechNews (via G For Games) suggesting the tablet will feature an improved A8X processor. Similar to Apple’s previous A5X and A6X processors, the A8X would presumably be an graphics-enhanced version of Apple’s current A8 processor that debuted in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Apple shift away from using an “X” version of its base iOS device chip last year, opting to power the iPad Air and Retina iPad mini with the same A7 chip found in the iPhone 5s, albeit clocked slightly faster on the iPad Air. But with a higher-resolution “iPad Pro”, the graphics needs are likely high enough to require an enhanced main chip.
In its recent report, TechNews also reiterates its previous claim that Apple’s iPhone Air 2 will feature of RAM. This increased RAM would be a boost from the 1 GB present in both the current-generation iPad Air and the company’s new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus handsets. It also may serve to set the iPad Air 2 apart from the next Retina iPad mini, which is rumored to keep its current 1 GB RAM configuration.
While the iPad Pro may land next year, Apple’s iPad Air 2 is expected to be introduced sometime in the coming month. The new tablet may launch in time for the holiday shopping season with a redesign possibly including marginally a thinner body, redesigned speaker grille and other improvements such as Touch ID.
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Polar’s new GPS watch also offers activity tracking for $200
Most fitness wearables come from tech companies looking to slowly add features like GPS and water resistance to their gear. Polar, on the other hand, is turning its hardcore GPS-equipped running watches into 24/7 activity trackers like the V800. If that device was a little too rich for your blood, however, then the company is hoping that the M400 will be better suited to your budget. The $200 wearable is available in black or white, and offers the usual raft of fitness options like end time estimation, back-to-start directions and tailored running programs. You’ll also be able to funnel your data through the Polar Flow app and service, enabling you to see the routes that other local runners took. Battery-wise, the company promises that it’ll last for 24 days as a timepiece and activity tracker, or nine hours as a GPS watch. It’ll hit stores towards the end of the year, and as usual with Polar’s products, you can grab an additional Bluetooth heart-rate monitor for an extra $50.
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LifeBeam’s heart-rate monitoring cycling helmet is ready for your commute
The last time that we covered LifeBeam, it was to tell you about the defense company’s heart-rate monitoring cycle helmet that went up for pre-order on Indiegogo. More than a year later, and the second generation of the headgear is now ready for you to buy. This time around, the LifeBeam Helmet comes with a better sensor that cribs tech from the company’s military aerospace systems that are used to monitor fighter pilots and special forces units. The new hardware not only offers more accurate data, but promises to vastly improve battery life to the point where it can be used several times in a month before you’ll need to recharge. Other tweaks include the addition of Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+, while the helmet’s shape has been redesigned to better fit your head. It’s available from the company right now, setting you back $200, complete with a limited-edition carbon carry case.
Filed under: Wearables
Source: LifeBEAM
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Netatmo’s smart thermostat joins the crowded UK market
Over the short space of a year, Brits have gone from fiddling with mechanical boiler dials to having a glut of smart thermostat options to choose from. Today we can add yet another to that list with the launch of the Netatmo Thermostat in the UK (and a couple other European markets). Better known for its connected weather station, Netatmo’s Philippe Starck-designed thermostat boasts many features common to fancy, smart heating systems. You can control temperature using Android, iOS, Windows Phone and web apps, for example, as well as set up heating schedules with military precision.
Through the apps, you can also track energy consumption, and from sometime in autumn users will start receiving monthly reports including tips on being more efficient. Another feature uses the outside temperature and information on how quickly your home heats up to make sure as little energy as possible is expended reaching a scheduled temperature. The smart thermostat is now available on Amazon for £149 (or it will be shortly when the listing is updated with the correct price), making it marginally cheaper than its closest price competitor Nest. Now all Netatmo needs is an energy supplier or retail partner to put it on a level playing field with its more established rivals.
Filed under: Household
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Engadget giveaway: win a ZMAX smartphone courtesy of ZTE!
Vast swathes of display real estate are hitting the market at lower prices than ever — unlike those glass towers springing up in Brooklyn — and one of the latest in the “phablet” set is ZTE’s ZMAX. This 5.7-inch smartphone boasts an expansive 720p screen, a quad-core Snapdragon 400 chip and a 3,400mAh battery. If you’re in the market, this solid slab of smartphone arrived at T-Mobile on Wednesday and can be had for just $252 outright (or $10.50 per month over two years). But for two Engadget readers this week, the ZTE ZMAX will cost a whole lot of nothing. Yep, ZTE has handed over a pair of these handsets for a couple of lucky winners, and they’re ready to run at up to 4G LTE speeds on the Uncarrier’s network. All you need to do is head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning one of these big-screen devices.
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. Two (2) winners will each receive one (1) ZTE ZMAX smartphone (ZTE Olympia Kit).
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. ZTE, T-Mobile and Engadget / AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until September 26th at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Filed under: Announcements
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A new project turns NYC subway ads into art… with an app
If you’re a resident of The Big Apple, or have ever visited, then you know that subway platforms are filled with advertisements — even some of the cars are completely wrapped in them. This is where a new app called No Ad comes in. Built by Re+Public, a team which focuses on using technology to “alter the current expectations of urban media,” No Ad is an augmented reality application that replaces ads on the New York City subway system with art. It’s simple, really. All you have to do is download the app, available for iOS and Android, fire it up, point your device at an advertisement and, just like that, you’ll see a piece of art show up where you would otherwise see corporate propaganda. As it stands, Re+Public has turned 100 ads across the NYC subway compatible with the No Ad app, with 50 artists contributing their work to the project. We have a hunch Don Draper wouldn’t like this idea too much — but let’s face it, he’s probably too drunk to care.
Filed under: Misc, Internet, Mobile, Alt
Via: Co.Exist
Source: No Ad
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Accessory of the Day: AmazonBasics MicroUSB car charger $8.99
If you’re in need of a quality charge in your vehicle, this AmazonBasics Android charger is your best bet. Powering your device with 2.1 amps of high-speed power, the coiled cable (4.9 ft uncoiled) keeps things tidy in your car’s cabin. Considering the 5-star reviews, a 1-year warranty, and frustration-free packaging, this charger is a must-buy at only $8.99 (Prime eligible).
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The post Accessory of the Day: AmazonBasics MicroUSB car charger $8.99 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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Myontec wants to add voice coaching to its muscle-monitoring fitness shorts
Whenever I’m out for a run, there’s a voice in the back of my head telling me to slow down and grab a sandwich. That’s not particularly helpful when you’re trying to shed pounds and achieve peak fitness, which is why Myontec wants to change what’s being pumped into your brain. The Finnish company has taken to Kickstarter in the hope of both lowering the price of its costly MBody high-tech fitness shorts, but also to develop the ultimate replacement for a personal trainer in the process.
The shorts themselves currently retail for around $1,000, and can monitor your muscle load, heart rate, cadence, speed and balance. However, all of that information is pushed straight to your smartphone, so while it can identify if your running style needs fixing, you’ll have to look down at your phone to learn what’s wrong. That’s not too much of an issue right now, because most of the people using MBody are professional athletes backed up with teams of analysts.
That’s why Myontec is looking to develop an audio coaching platform that’ll pipe those directions straight to your ears like the world’s smartest personal trainer. For instance, if you’re running in a manner that could make you more prone to injury, it’ll tell you to concentrate on your position. Likewise, if your warm-up hasn’t gotten your heart-rate to the required level to begin your workout, it’ll tell you to keep warming up for a few more minutes. If this sounds like a pretty neat idea, then you can snag one of the sets for $500, with a few early-bird deals available for those at the front of the line.
Filed under: Wearables
Source: Kickstarter
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