Samsung Galaxy A5, A7 details bubble to surface
A few weeks ago, we reported some details that leaked about the entire Samsung Galaxy A series (A3, A5, A7). Yesterday, some photos of the A3 and A5 leaked. Thanks to SamMobile, we have some new details regarding the A5 and A7.
Originally, it was thought these devices would be released in Q3. Considering we’re now in Q4 and have no official word, we have new information suggesting that the A5 will be released in November, and confirming a price of $400-450. Specs for this include a 5″ screen, a 13 MP camera, a Snapdragon 400, 16 GB of storage, Android 4.4, dual SIM slots, and a 2,330 mAh battery.
SamMobile also says that the A7 is now said to have a Full HD screen rather than just a regular HD screen, and measuring 5.5″.
What do you think of these new devices that are coming?
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The scientists behind blue LEDs earn this year’s Nobel Prize for physics
This year’s Nobel Prize for physics was awarded for something quite useful to us all. While the honor typically goes to the likes of Higgs Boson research and other massively complex discoveries, a trio of Japanese scientists earned the award for work on blue LEDs. The third color of light emitting diodes can combine with red and green to create white light — something you have have seen in those bright and efficient LED bulbs. Since the group developed the tech back in the 90s, companies packed blue-hued bits inside TVs and other displays, in addition to replacing energy-draining bulbs for a load of uses (traffic lights, car headlamps, etc.). Not only do white LED lamps/bulbs cut down on power use, but they also last longer than both incandescent and florescent options. What’s more, that efficiency is constantly on the rise.
[Photo credit: Jim R. Bounds/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Filed under: Science
Source: Nobel Prize
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Twitter sues US government over Transparency Report restrictions
Twitter has been publishing what bits of info it’s allowed to concerning national security requests for some time now, but the social media feed wants the ability to publish the whole thing. Today, the outfit filed a lawsuit aiming to get approval to post its entire transparency report. In a blog post, VP of Legal Ben Lee says that the company is asking a California District Court “to declare these restrictions on our ability to speak about government surveillance as unconstitutional under the First Amendment.” As is stands, Twitter and others can’t communicate the exact number of national security letters (NSLs) or FISA court orders, even if there aren’t any. If you’ll recall, it tried to beef up transparency outside of court earlier this year, but Twitter couldn’t come to terms with the US Department of Justice and FBI on as much as a redacted version of the full report.
Filed under: Internet
Source: Twitter, US District Court Filing (PDF)
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‘Plastc’ Smart Payment Card Aims to Replace Card-Stuffed Wallets [iOS Blog]
With Apple Pay’s launch likely just days or perhaps weeks away, “card tech” startup Plastc today announced its plans for its new digital wallet, replacing credit cards, debit cards, RFID access cards, gift cards and more. On paper, Plastc promises to go above and beyond competitor Coin, offering an expanded set of features that are better optimized for today’s new wireless mobile payment future.
The Plastc card allows users to store up to 20 cards or barcodes on its internal flash memory and ships with a companion iOS Wallet app that lets users manage the card. Plastc looks like a standard 0.8-millimeter-thick credit card, but it features an eInk touchscreen display for selecting stored content, Bluetooth to connect to an iPhone, rewritable RFID, and support for payment technologies such as magnetic stripes, NFC, and EMV chip and PIN. It also includes wireless induction charging and a remote wipe feature that lets users erase the card in case of theft or loss.
Though its feature set is impressive, Plastc will be competing with the upcoming Apple Pay, which is scheduled to launch this month with broad industry support. Apple has worked on Apple Pay with all three major credit card companies, several major banks, and a variety of retail partners such as Macy’s, Walgreens, McDonald’s, Whole Foods, Disney and others.
Despite this competitive threat, Plastc COO Ryan Marquis told The Verge that he is optimistic about the company’s future.
“Ultimately a cloud-based digital wallet will be the winner,” says Marquis, “but with our technology, we can allow consumers to build a digital wallet using a form factor that they’re used to today.” Marquis says there are still many use cases where we need physical cards like subway ticketing machines, ATMs, and gas pumps. “I will utilize Apple Pay because it’s simple and easy, but there are so many use cases in our world where I’m still going to need a physical card,” he says. “There are so many things that point-of-sale machines just aren’t ready for yet.”
Similar to Coin which was announced last year and has yet to ship, Plastc is available now only for pre-order. The card costs $155 and is expected to ship next summer.
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Apple Seeds Second iOS 8.1 Beta to Developers
Apple today released the second beta of iOS 8.1, build 12B407, to registered developers for testing purposes, just over a week after the release of the first iOS 8.1 beta.
iOS 8.1 includes several bug fixes for issues in iOS 8, including a fix for a Bluetooth connectivity problem, and it also includes support for Apple Pay, Apple’s mobile payments service that is launching in October.
Along with iOS 8.1, Apple is also simultaneously working on iOS 8.2 and iOS 8.3, all of which are expected to add new functionality to the operating system.
iOS 8 has had a rough start, with Apple temporarily removing HealthKit ahead of the launch of iOS 8 and then releasing an unstable iOS 8.0.1 update that disabled the cellular and Touch ID service of many users. Apple released iOS 8.0.2 to fix the issue, but several other problems have come to light, including a bug that causes iCloud Drive documents to be deleted.
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Make your aging air conditioner cool again with this pile of sensors
Many folks who reside in South East Asia will agree that during the summer, air conditioners can be temperamental at times — your room’s either too cold or not cold enough. As a result, users — including this author in Hong Kong — end up having to pick up the remote control every now and then to adjust the temperature. This is exactly what Hong Kong’s Ambi Labs is trying to solve: This startup has just launched its Ambi Climate device on Kickstarter, and the idea here is that you’re adding a small hub that uses local weather data plus sunlight, air flow, temperature, humidity and movement detection, in order to adjust the air conditioner accordingly with its infrared transmitter (Ambi Labs says it can quickly add your remote to the database if it’s missing). With the room temperature staying more consistent, you’re saving both energy and the hassle of finding the remote.
In addition to the sensor hub, the Ambi Climate also comes with a companion app for your Android or iOS device, which lets you control your room temperature and humidity even when you’re not at home. Better yet, it can use geo-location and movement detection to automatically turn your air conditioners on or off, depending on whether you’re about to return home or have left a room. The app also learns your preferences and stores them in the cloud, meaning you can apply the same condition settings across multiple Ambi Climate hubs for other air conditioners in your household and even your office. Last but not least, you get visualization on your air conditioner usage, room condition log and estimated energy consumption in the app.
With over 250 backers already pledged, most of the early-bird beta units due in November are already gone, but you can get a mass-produced Ambi Climate from as low as $79, or a double pack for $169, or a triple pack for $249, all due in June 2015 — just in time for next summer.
Filed under: Household
Source: Kickstarter
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Marriott hotels will soon offer wireless charging in lobbies
If you find yourself staying in a Marriott hotel later this month, you may encounter wireless charging in the lobby. The lodging outfit is set to install Qi-equipped tech from Kube Systems in the greatroom lobbies of 29 locations in October. Stations can power up to six devices at the same time while replenishing that smartphone and tablet duo without a tether. Support for iOS, Android and Windows is included, so you’ll be able to leave those cords in the room when heading down for a drink at the bar. Of course, Marriott has 500 hotels around the world, so this seems to be a limited trial before widespread deployment or significant investment.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Mobile
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Facebook’s reportedly working on a mobile app for anonymity
Social media giant Facebook drew ire from some users recently due to its strict real name policy. Some even fled for Ello — madness!
Now, it looks like Facebook’s responding to complaints with a mobile app “that allows users to interact inside of it without having to use their real names.” That’s according to two people speaking with The New York Times, anyway; the sources also said the app is set to launch “in the coming weeks.”
Developing …
Source: The New York Times
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Virgin Mobile Unlimited plans now available
AndroidGuys recently brought you news of the new LG Tribute that just launched on Virgin Mobile.
In addition to, and available with, the new device comes some new pricing plans. The new Virgin Mobile Unlimited plans will shake things up in the mobile market yet again.
Do you like no-contract options?
Virgin Mobile Unlimited plans provide customers more no-contract options and flexibility for their wireless service. For customers that only use data via Wi-Fi, there is a new $20 option. Customers on the $35 price plan can choose between more high-speed 3G/4G data or more talk based on their needs. The $45 and $55 plans feature new international options.
Did you catch that? You can choose to go Wi-Fi only for $20/month!
More about international plans.
Virgin Mobile Unlimited international plans let you stay connected with family and friends across the globe.
For just $5 more a month, customers can add-on Virgin Mobile International which includes Unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada (excludes northern territories), as well as Unlimited worldwide text messaging. For just $10 more a month, customers can get all the benefits of International + which include 1,000 minutes to call mobile devices in Mexico, Unlimited calling to over 70 countries3 and discounted calling rates to over 200 countries.
Check out the chart below to select the best Virgin Mobile Unlimited plan for you.
Is this enough to make you switch carriers?
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Tap Cash Review
Unless you’re currently reading this article on a yacht somewhere in Cabo, I’m guessing that you could probably stand to earn a little bit of money. What if I told you that you could get cash just by downloading a free app. If you’re thinking this sounds like a pretty sweet deal then it may be time to check out Tap Cash.
Overview
Tap Cash is an app that works on a credit system, wherein you exchange credits for certain “gifts” ranging from a $1 Paypal card for 1000 credits to a $10 Google Play gift card for 10000 credits. Every dollar is worth 1000 credits from the app. To get these credits you can download apps or share the app with your friends. The amount of credits you earn is based on the app. For example an app that all you have to do it download and start is going to be worth far fewer credits than one you have to provide information for. Furthermore sharing the app with others is worth more than most apps other than the ones that require a lot of personal information.
What’s especially interesting about this app though is that it creates a little game out of earning these credits. It shows the highest earners for the week, the month, and in total. So far the highest amount earned is about $262, a pretty good haul considering I’ve only managed to earn about ¢10 so far.
My Experience with Tap Cash
For the most part it seemed like a pretty great app. I never was able earn enough credits to be able to exchange it for “gifts”, but from other users reviews it’s clear that if you do manage to earn enough credits they will follow through and give you your money. The only problem of any significance is that sometimes I would download an app that would promise credits if I just started it, but even after doing so I wouldn’t get the credits. I would like to stress that this did not happen with every app I downloaded, but it did happen with a couple. It can also take quite a while to amass enough credits to get a sizable amount of money, but it is certainly possible to do so and many people have.
Will this app turn you into some King Midas figure? No, unfortunately it won’t turn stuff into gold. But will downloading this app be able to earn you a little money that involved little to no effort? Absolutely!
BONUS CREDITS!
Bonus! If you’d like a promo code for 300 credits here’s the link.
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AIVAnet 