Microsoft Shoots for 2nd-half 2015 Office 16
Microsoft’s next big Office update has been talked about much as we inch closer to the fabled release date, but until now, we’ve known nothing concrete. However, today, Julia White, General Manager of Office Marketing, announced at Tech Ed Barcelona that the next iteration of Office—Office 16—will be released in the second half of 2015. We know nothing else besides Q3 or Q4 of next year, because she didn’t get any more specific than that.
If you’re out of the know, the next few big updates coming around for microsoft before Office 16 are Office for tablets around next month, a new version of Office for Mac in early 2015, and of course, Windows 10 in spring of 2015: most likely May.
Are you looking forward to any of these future developments? Or is Microsoft old news? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!
Source: ZDNet
Come comment on this article: Microsoft Shoots for 2nd-half 2015 Office 16
Chinese artists create counterfeit stock images of artists
Stock Photos are glorious things. Yes, they’re an important tool for sites such as our own, but they’re also, perhaps more often than not, unintentionally hilarious. Services like Thinkstock, Shutterstock and Getty Images have birthed fantastic Tumblrs and Twitter accounts like StockFinds, Completely Unusable Stock Photos, and the somewhat-NSFW Porncomnents. They’re solidly embedded in internet culture, and they’re now also the inspiration behind A Contemporary Portrait of the Internet Artist, a collection of hand-painted copies of stock images of artists created by “underpaid Chinese painters.”
The artworks are essentially counterfeits of Getty Images, and in an accompanying press release the team behind the project — the IOCOSE collective — explains the methodology by which they were created will be naturally replicated. “The digital images of the portraits will circulate online, be copied, posted and tweeted by journalists and bloggers. The portraits might be bought and become private property, but also continue being exhibited and photographed.” IOCOSE’s copyright-skirting sourcing of these images, and their intent for them to be replicated, is conceived as a subversive commentary on exploitation, outsourcing, and copyright issues surrounding modern creative industries. You can see the collection below, and if you’re intrigued as to what the originals look like, you can follow the link in each image.
Source: IOCOSE
AT&T will carry LG’s G Watch R in stores
LG may still be coy about when you can strap a US version of the G Watch R on your wrist, but you’ll at least know where you can get it. AT&T has confirmed that will be “among the first” carriers to sell LG’s nicer Android Wear timepiece in stores. It’s not discussing the details, although it’s safe to presume that you’ll be paying more than the $229 you’d shell out for a regular G Watch. You probably won’t have to wait long, either — LG already said the G Watch R would ship in the fourth quarter of the year, so don’t be surprised if you’re picking up this smartwatch in a matter of weeks.
Filed under: Wearables, AT&T, LG
Via: SlashGear
Bored with words? Bing now lets you search using emoji
Now that you can communicate solely in emoji and even track your daily activities that way, it stands to reason that you should get to search the web using those tiny pictures, doesn’t it? Microsoft certainly thinks so. Bing’s search engine now understands emoji, saving you the (admittedly pretty minor) trouble of typing out whole words. It’s not just about convenience, though. The search will help you understand emoji you don’t understand, and you can find Easter eggs like the Konami code if you’re imaginative. So long as you’re in an English-speaking country, you can try this icon-driven search today.
Filed under: Internet, Microsoft
Via: Huffington Post
Source: Bing Blogs
Researchers create a virtual screen with touchable objects
A team from the University of Tokyo is putting their own spin on a touchscreen. By combining an infrared sensor with ultrasound technology, the group of researches have managed to design a virtual display that’s as thin as air and can let you feel every object you’re touching. Dubbed HaptoMime, the project uses a reflective surface to give you that physically tangible feeling, while a change in ultrasonic pressure make it possible to create a number of different sensations — say you’re playing a digital keyboard (like the one pictured above), the feedback from it isn’t the same you get with other type of applications. Check out the HaptoMime holographic screen in action after the break.
Filed under: Displays, Science, Alt
Source: NewScientist
An FCC rule change could put internet TV on a level playing field with cable
Right now internet services don’t always have the opportunity to show the same content as traditional TV, but the FCC might be about to change that. Chairman Tom Wheeler described in his blog post “Tech Transitions, Video, and the Future” the “first step” to open cable programs and local TV to internet services, by giving them the same classification that cable and satellite providers have. That wouldn’t apply to Netflix or Amazon (as they currently exist), but anyone streaming live TV channels over the internet — like Sony, Verizon and Dish are planning, Intel tried before selling to Verizon, and Apple’s TV project has been rumored to include — would be covered.
Wheeler notes that a similar move in 1992 helped competition from satellite TV companies flourish, and sees the same potential for internet providers. Another company stuck in the current hole between being too much like a cable provider and not enough like one is Aereo, and its CEO Chet Kanojia said “By clarifying these rules, the FCC is taking a real and meaningful step forward for competition in the video market.” Until now, owning a delivery method has been required for a company to be classified as a “multichannel video programming distributor,” but Wheeler is asking the commission to create rules to cut that out. He also says changing the rules would make sure cable systems remain regulated as able, even if they switch to all-IP delivery, as some have been rumored to do.
He also claims it will let internet-based providers offer smaller channel bundles than what currently exists, giving customers more choices, and encourage the creation of broadband competitors that don’t feel the need to bundle TV service. It will take some time to see how much, if any, of this comes true, but in the future companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft could jump in to compete with Comcast and its ilk right away, offering customers a way to switch providers without losing access to the stuff they want to watch.
[Image credit: Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Apple, Google
Source: FCC, Aereo (Facebook)
FTC suing AT&T over deceptive throttling, AT&T responds
Looks like another carrier is in hot water with the FTC. This time it’s AT&T with their throttling practices. With many customers still on grandfathered unlimited data plans, it appears AT&T is throttling them after certain data usage milestones are hit. According to the FTC, using a navigation app or streaming video is nearly impossible to use. The bottom line is that AT&T changed the terms of service, but didn’t tell customers when they were renewing.
AT&T did make a comment about the matter. They feel this lawsuit is “baseless” and they have been “transparent” by notifying the changes to consumers through press releases and billing notices. They also say that only about 3 percent of their customers are affected. Plus, those customers get a text message when throttling is an issue.
Expect this one to be a long drawn out mess.
source: FTC, AT&T
via: Engadget
Come comment on this article: FTC suing AT&T over deceptive throttling, AT&T responds
Google X team’s latest project aims to detect cancer and other diseases early
The Google X team has another very cool project they are working on, and it could wind up saving a lot of lives in the future. They are developing tiny magnetic particles, called nanoparticles, that would patrol the human body looking for signs of cancer and other diseases.
These nanoparticles would attach to cells, proteins, or other molecules inside the body. They are less than one-thousandth the width of a red blood cell, and would enter the body in a pill form.
They are also developing a wearable device, which includes a magnet for attracting and counting the particles, that acts as a monitoring tool. The issue is that it needs to be small enough to be unobtrusive, but still be able to maintain battery life for along period of time.
According to Andrew Conrad, head of the Life Sciences team at Google X, “Every test you ever go to the doctor for will be done through this system.”
Exciting news indeed, but Google still has a long way to go. Industry experts tell us to that we probably won’t see this technology for at least 5 more years.
Here’s a couple of videos of Andrew Conrad explaining this amazing technology, and hit up the source link for even more information.
http://video-api.wsj.com/api-video/player/iframe.html?guid=18A99506-7B30-4476-8755-DD9B7632E788
http://video-api.wsj.com/api-video/player/iframe.html?guid=1ED2F5F2-FBE7-4680-86F9-F17B2093EF97
source: WSJ
Come comment on this article: Google X team’s latest project aims to detect cancer and other diseases early
TalkAndroid Daily Dose for October 28, 2014
With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!
Apps
Google Fit launches in the Play Store with seamless device syncing
YouTube may launch music service with ad-supported and paid versions
Pushbullet releases Material Design treatment for app
MovieTickets.com making theaters paperless with mobile tickets
MapMyFitness gets Google Fit integration and an Activity Feed in update
Carriers
FTC suing AT&T over deceptive throttling, AT&T responds
Verizon and Motorola officially launch the DROID Turbo
Gaming
PS4 Remote Play app now live on Google Play with support for Xperia Z3 devices
Google details more new security features in Android Lollipop
Google files trademark application for “ARA”
Google X team’s latest project aims to detect cancer and other diseases early
Google+
Google+ Photos will Halloweenify uploads with spooky or fun looks
Google Fit
Google Fit launches in the Play Store with seamless device syncing
Google releases Google Fit SDK for developers
MapMyFitness gets Google Fit integration and an Activity Feed in update
Phones
Verizon and Motorola officially launch the DROID Turbo
Motorola releases several videos showing off the Droid Turbo’s best features
Residents in the UK can customize a Moto X for £359.99 to celebrate Moto 360 launch
Google talks screen size of Nexus 6, thinks people want giant phones
Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge touches down in South Korea
Project Ara
Google files trademark application for “ARA”
Security
Security expert finds vulnerability in Samsung’s Find My Mobile service
Smartwatches
Does wearing a Moto 360 give you a better chance at getting laid than other smartwatches?
Updates
Google details more new security features in Android Lollipop
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Daily Dose for October 28, 2014
Taco Bell accepting orders sent from its new app
The folks at Taco Bell know exactly who their audience is. The fast-food company has launched mobile ordering for customers wanting to speed-up the process. From within its app available in the Play Store, you can place an order and pick it up. That way, the food is waiting for you instead of it being the other way around. Taco Bell did not stop with straightforward ordering, though. The revamped app lets customers select exactly what the want in the way they want it. Once an order is complete, it can be saved for a later date. Taco Bell also bundled a rewards program for frequent customers.
Hit the break for a video and download links.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Taco Bell accepting orders sent from its new app
AIVAnet 