HTC reaffirms promise of Lollipop to the M7 and M8 in 90 days
In June, HTC promised that once they had access to the, then, Android L code, the HTC One M8 will see the sweet taste of Android 5.0 within 90 days. Well… the Taiwanese company reaffirmed that today in a tweet but also confirmed something else.
That’s right folks. The original HTC One will also be receiving similar treatment in a similar time frame. Of course it should be known that this is HTC stating that it will get the update out, what carriers do from there is anyone’s guess.
That being said, it looks like Google is leaning toward Nov. 3, as being the day we see the code released, so we’re looking at February (maybe with the release of the M9) at the earliest. Happy waiting.
source: HTC Source
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Standalone streaming service from HBO coming in 2015
HBO is set to launch a standalone streaming service in 2015, at least according to Richard Plepler, HBO CEO. What this means is that instead of having to pay for a HBO package through our cable or satellite provider, we’ll be soon be able to stream HBO much like we do via Netflix. What this also means is that we can watch Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire or True Detective without a.) illegally doing so or b.) “stealing” your friend’s HBO Go password. Of course, HBO is wading into an already somewhat filled pool of streaming services. No word on when in 2015 exactly, we’ll see this but either way, it’s coming.
source: NBC News
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Engadget Daily: Google’s Nexus 6, new iPads, standalone HBO Go and more!
What’s happened in the past 24 hours of this connected life? Quite a bit: Google dropped the curtain on its new line of Nexus devices including Motorola’s $649 Nexus 6 smartphone, the Nexus 9 tablet from HTC and the Nexus Player set-top streaming puck. Apple has you covered ahead of tomorrow’s iPad event too with an early look at its new set of slates. We also have a review of the Galaxy Note 4 and some other wild stories for you right in the gallery below.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Apple, Samsung, Google
Xbox One update makes multitasking easier and everyone more secure
We knew that the October update coming to the Xbox One would make it act more like the 360, but Redmond has packed a few other features into it too. In addition to double-tapping the Guide button to call up your friends list and achievements, this patch adds what amounts to two-factor authentication for your account (something new for Xbox-only Microsoft logins), according to Xbox Live’s Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb. A select few markets are getting access to a tweaked Live TV setup option too, which will automatically detect the set-top box plugged into the One’s HDMI-In port (sounds like HDMI-CEC to us). You can hide any games that are cluttering up the “ready to install” portion of your collection now as well. Handy! The 249MB update is rolling out starting today, and you should be able to force the download from the system’s settings menu.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Source: Major Nelson, Xbox Support
Doctors report a case of Google Glass addiction
You’ve probably heard of Google Glass owners who seemingly can’t put the wearable down, but there’s now at least one reported instance of genuinely addictive behavior. Doctors at Naval Medical Center San Diego claim that a 31-year-old Navy serviceman is the first person to be diagnosed with a Glass-related internet addiction disorder. The patient wore the head-mounted computer for up to 18 hours a day, and was so attached to it that he would instinctively reach for his right temple (to activate Glass) whenever you asked him a question, whether or not the device was there. He’s getting better after having spent 35 days in on-site treatment, according to doctors; that reflexive movement doesn’t come up so often, and the man is both less irritable and more focused.
The case certainly raises concerns about the effects of always-on wearable devices on mental health, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll get hooked. As the Medical Center notes, the patient originally checked himself in for alcohol abuse — while the Glass addiction ultimately proved more severe, the history suggests that the patient was prone to compulsive activities in general, not just when using wearables. This is also just one incident, so there’s no definite evidence that Glass is more alluring than other technologies and substances. You’re probably fine splurging on that Explorer Edition headset as a result, but you may want to hold off if you already have trouble saying “no.”
[Image credit: Angel Navarrete/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Filed under: Wearables, Google
Via: CNBC
Will.i.am’s Puls wristband has its own 3G, support from AT&T
Will.i.am has just revealed the Puls at Dreamforce 2014, a smartwatch that doesn’t need to be tethered to a phone to send texts, emails or make and take phone calls. In fact, Will kept saying it’s not a watch, because smartwatches don’t typically come with SIM cards, which the Puls does have, along with speakers and a screen that curves along with its body, making the device look more like a cuff than a traditional watch. The Puls has 16GB of storage onboard, 1GB of RAM, GPS, a battery that goes around the bracelet, pedometer and accelerometer, all powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It connects to the internet not only via WiFi, but also via 3G, which means it has carrier partners: the Puls works with AT&T in the US and O2 in the UK.
As we’ve mentioned in the past, the watch comes with a music streaming service baked into it. It also has a voice assistant (another Siri rival, if you will) that can remind you to call people or of an event, wake you up, among other tasks similar programs can do.
This is the puls. http://t.co/SS7dhOHrYE‘s smart watch. pic.twitter.com/BfE4GbmLII
– Roberto Baldwin (@strngwys) October 15, 2014
Developing…
Filed under: Wearables
Plex confirms app for Nexus Player; Blends in nicely
I can’t say that I am all that surprised that there will be a Plex app for the new Nexus Player. It is, after all, just a slick TV version of Android 5.0 Lollipop. However the Android TV toting Nexus Player will be getting wht looks like a completely new looking Plex app and I can’t say I am mad at how it looks at all.
Pretty slick looking. While you might notice that it has a totally different look than we are used to seeing and using on our phones, tablets, and other devices, there is good reason for it. Google built Android TV from the ground up. To me it looks like Plex did something similar to match the over all look and feel of the Android TV layout. That keeps the app looking more native than a separate app entirely. Elan from Plex has been answer questions all afternoon in the comments section of their post. he has confirmed that the Voice Search function of the Nexus Player works “great” inside the app. No answers were provided on is the app would be free or not. 9to5Google was able to confirm that it would be available on launch day for the Nexus Player, which is November 3rd.
Don’t forget, the Nexus Player is Google Cast ready, so you can still just cast Plex from your device through the Nexus Player too. You don’t necessarily need a new app, but I will certainly be installing it for ease of use and beautification.
//<![CDATA[
ord = window.ord || Math.floor(Math.random()*1E16);
document.write('‘);
//]]>
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AOL jumps on the Android TV bandwagon
AOL announced earlier today that it would make its library of premium content available for Android TV. Original programming includes short-films like “Park Bench with Steve Buscemi,” movies from Miramax, and HuffPost and TechCrunch clips. With barely a glance at the platform since it was debuted in June, Google’s opened the flood gates this afternoon.
“With the addition of Android TV we are able to expand the reach of our premium video library.” AOL president of video and studios and Dermot McCormack said.
With the addition of Android TV, AOL has its premium content on 16 different devices and for those pre-ordering the Nexus Player, you’ll be happy to know you’ll have access to everything listed above.
source: C|net
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Retailer and Credit Card Internal Training Info Suggests October 20 Apple Pay Launch Date
Apple’s new mobile payments service, Apple Pay, may be enabled shortly after its Thursday iPad-centric media event, according to internal information leaked from various retailers and credit card companies.
Employees that work for one of Apple’s major Apple Pay credit card partners have already finished their Apple Pay training and have been told that the payments service will be released on Monday, October 20, according to an employee who shared the information with MacRumors.
Similarly, a lengthy internal memo from Panera Bread obtained by 9to5Mac also suggests that Apple will launch Apple Pay on Monday, October 20.
As you are aware, Panera is a featured partner with Apple in their announcement of the iPhone 6 and the new Apple Pay platform. Now, we are excited to share that Apple is very close to releasing Apple Pay and actually planning to launch on October 20th.
Panera, like many other Apple retail partners, is currently training its employees on how to accept Apple Pay payments through the company’s Verifone point-of-sale-systems. Panera has provided a short training video for managers and cashiers, along with an FAQ and talking points.
Last week, an internal memo addressed to Walgreens employees suggested that Apple was planning to launch Apple Pay on October 18, so it is a bit unclear when Apple Pay will actually go live for consumers. A weekend debut is an odd choice for Apple, lending credence to the Monday, October 20 date.
USAA, one of Apple’s bank partners, has said that it plans to begin supporting Apple Pay on November 7, suggesting that retailers and banks will begin rolling out support for the service at different times.
Whether planned for October 18 or October 20, the launch of Apple Pay appears to be imminent, and as Apple Pay will be enabled via an update to iOS 8, the launch of iOS 8.1 is also coming in the next few days. First seeded to developers in late September, iOS 8.1 contains hidden references to Apple Pay.
Apple Pay’s exact debut date will likely be revealed during Apple’s October 16 media event, which will see the company introducing a new iPad Air, a new Retina iPad mini and a Retina iMac. Both of Apple’s new iPads include support for Touch ID and will allow users to make purchases within apps using Apple Pay.
Jimmy Iovine: NFL Banning Beats Makes Us ‘Look Like Superheroes’ [iOS Blog]
Jimmy Iovine, Beats’ co-founder who joined Apple after the company acquired Beats in May, today spoke at the University of Southern California’s Global Conversation (via Business Insider) where he commented on the NFL’s recent decision to ban players from wearing Beats headphones in order to promote Bose headphones.
According to Iovine, the ban on Beats has been great for the brand. “I can’t believe I’m this lucky,” said Iovine, in reference to players who have begun wearing Beats headphones with tape over the logo to avoid fines. Iovine went on to say that Bose is “culturally inept.”
Colin Kaepernick wearing Beats headphones with logo covered. Image via Matt Maiocco
“What happened there, you have a tech company that’s culturally inept,” Iovine said. “There’s no one at the company that said, ‘If you ban these guys, you’re going to look bad to the young people, and they’re going to look like superheroes even though they’re just pure capitalists — well they’re not pure capitalists, but they’re real capitalists and [they] sold that company to Apple — but you’re going to make them look like the underdog.”
While Bose and the NFL signed a sponsorship agreement before the season began, the NFL decided earlier this month to ban players from wearing Beats headphones in front of television cameras to support its sponsor. Players are banned from wearing Beats headphones when conducting interviews during training camp, during practice sessions, and on game day, from before the event until 90 minutes after play has ended.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has an endorsement deal with Beats, defied the NFL’s ban and wore bright pink Beats headphones during a press conference, earning himself a $10,000 fine. Since then, Kaepernick has been seen again wearing the same bright pink Beats headphones, but he has placed tape over the Beats logo to avoid further fines.
In addition to being banned by the NFL, Beats headphones have also been banned from other major sporting events, including the World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics.
AIVAnet 