Bose’s NFL deal won’t let players wear other headphones on camera
Back in March, the NFL reached a deal to make Bose its official audio provider — nothing special at the time, especially given the league’s fondness for technology agreements. However, it now looks like this pact is about to influence the headphones you see on camera. The NFL has confirmed to Recode that the arrangement prevents players and coaches from wearing anything but Bose gear in the moments they’re on TV in an official capacity, whether it’s just before kickoff, on the sidelines or in locker room interviews. In other words, the scenarios you see in a few Beats commercials (where players tune out interviewers and hostile fans using the company’s headphones) would get the athletes in trouble.
Such deals aren’t that unusual elsewhere. FIFA, for instance, prevented teams at the 2014 World Cup from using Beats either on game days or at media events. For Americans, though, the NFL exclusive is bound to be much more noticeable — something Bose is no doubt counting on as it tries to win the high-priced audio wars. It has just 22 percent of the US’ over-$100 headphone market versus Beats’ whopping 61 percent, according to the NPD Group, so any success with the agreement could mean that you’ll see considerably more Bose hardware both on and off the field.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, Apple
Source: Recode
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Google+ gets Material
Back at Google I/O, Google walked us through their material design philosophy, and ever since, they’ve been updating apps to go along with it.
Google has just updated another app in the play store with the same design we’ve already scene in Google Hangouts, Google Now, Chrome, Google Play Newstand, Cloud Print, Google News and Weather, Google Drive and associated apps, their phone dialer app, and probably a few others I can’t think of right now. The latest addition is the Google+ app.
The new design for Google+ brings an even flatter experience, changes up the colors a bit, and makes everything more consistent with their new design philosophy; a philosophy that you will really see take shape when Android L is released. Word on the street is they have updated how the photos section works. It should make for a smoother experience, and I’m sure there are one or two bug fixes in there as well.
I haven’t received it on my Moto X (2013) yet so don’t freak out that you haven’t gotten it. Check the Play Store to see if the update is available on your device.
Source [Engadget]
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The post Google+ gets Material appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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Code hints that Facebook Messenger will let you pay your friends
If you’ve ever had a Facebook friend in need of some money, you may soon have a way to pay them without much fuss. Stanford student Andrew Aude has shown off hidden code in Facebook Messenger’s iOS app that will let you send funds much in the same way that you share a photo; you just have to add a payment card and a PIN code. The transaction is private and appears to be free at the moment, although it won’t be surprising if Facebook eventually takes a small cut of each transfer.
It’s not certain when payments will be available, and there’s a good chance that you’ll be waiting a while. Security guru Jonathan Zdziarski found the first traces of e-commerce code last month, and Facebook’s own Mark Zuckerberg warned that there was “so much groundwork” necessary before the social network could flip the switch. However, the company recently hired former PayPal CEO David Marcus to head up its instant messaging efforts — there’s no question that money will eventually play an important role.
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Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Facebook
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Andrew Aude (Twitter), Josh Constantine (Instagram)
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Feedback Loop: Bad Apple, app automation and more!
In this week’s edition of Feedback Loop, we discuss Apple’s rough September, share our favorite tools for automating tasks and talk about Google’s Project Ara. Head past the break to find out what Engadget readers like you have to say.
What’s going on with Apple?
September was a rough month for Apple, thanks to things like iCloudgate, U2gate, bendgate and updategate. This runs counter to a company that’s commonly recognized for having some of the best customer service and quality products around. What’s happening inside 1 Infinite Loop? Head over to the forums and share your thoughts.
Let’s get automated
Services like IFTTT make our lives way easier by automating simple tasks. Frank shares some of his favorite apps for getting things done, automatically. From things like Alfred and Launchy, to Huginn and Zapier, there’s a lot of great tools out there. Check out his list and then share your own preferred apps right here.
Are modular smartphones the way of the future?
Google’s Project Ara has the lofty goal of giving users the ability to customize smartphones to their hearts content. Is this the way of the future or are super thin (and sometimes bendable) phones here to stay. Tell us what you think about Project Ara right here.
Other discussions you may also like:
- Where do you go for sightseeing tips?
- Authy: 2-factor authentication without texts
- Operation Finish all the Games, September 2014
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!
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Lenovo’s fitness-minded Smartband shows up unannounced at the FCC
Lenovo doesn’t want to miss out on the wearable device trend, it seems. A couple of months after filings hinted that a Smartband was in the works, the unannounced activity tracker has surfaced at the FCC. Between photos and a user manual, the approval leaves little to the imagination. The Bluetooth-based device will keep tabs on your running, heart rate and sleep habits while syncing up with Android, iOS and Windows 8 devices. It’s not certain that the Smartband will launch in the US any time soon, if at all — it was a no-show at last month’s IFA event despite rumors to the contrary. If this fitness-savvy wristwear does arrive stateside, though, its black-and-orange design could be the perfect complement to your Yoga 2 laptop.
Filed under: Wearables, Lenovo
Source: FCC
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AIVAnet 