Track your CrossFit workouts with xFit WOD for BlackBerry 10
For those who adhere to the CrossFit strength and conditioning program for their workouts then there is this new application to aid you. If you are not familiar with CrossFit, it incorporates various different types of high-intensity workouts including aerobic exercise, gymnastics, and Olympic weight training to improve fitness, endurance stamina and strength.
Nest adds 15 new partners, including Philips Hue lighting and LG
Nest has been steadily expanding their services through their ‘Works with Nest’ program, teaming up with other hardware and software companies to bring extra functionality and smarts to your home, and convenience to your thermostat.
The Google owned company has announced the addition of fifteen new Nest partners across a handful of segments.
Perhaps the most recognizable new partner to the smart home enthusiasts out there, is Philips. Philips has a line of color changing light bulbs, called Hue, that can now be controlled by your Nest thermostat and Protect smoke alarm. A simple use is to flash the lights in the house when the smoke alarm goes off, but I suppose you could tie the color of the Hue lighting to the temperature of the home, just for fun.
Vendors like August and Unikey / Kevo smart lock will allow Nest owners to do things like turn down the heat in the home when you lock the front door.
While Philips lighting and smart door locks are very convenient, their integration with Nest may be overshadowed by the two biggest new partners on the list, LG appliances and Whirlpool appliances. That’s right, your fridge will be able to enter a low power mode when Nest knows you are not home, or Nest can notify you when your dryer has finished. Personally, I would hope for a smart thermostat setting that adjusts accordingly on big cook days, when the oven is on for hours on end, heating the kitchen but not the rest of the house.
Not all of the new partners will have their Works with Nest integration up and running right away, here is your full list:
Available now:
- August smart lock
- Automatic driving assistant
- Insteon
- LG appliances
- Lutron
- Ooma Telo
- Philips Hue
- Unikey / Kevo smart lock
- Withings Aura sleep system
Coming soon:
- Beep Dial (February)
- Big Ass Fans (February)
- Osram smart bulb (February/March)
- Whirlpool appliances (April)
- Zuli smart plug (April)
- Chargepoint home EV charging stations (June)
All in all, not a bad set of additions to the existing list of Works with Nest partners, including companies like Dropcam, Jawbone, Mercedes and Rachio sprinklers. Be sure to hit up the Nest website for more details.
Are you excited for any of these new Works with Nest partners?
Dell Venue 8 7840 with Intel RealSense 3D camera now available from BestBuy
Back in September 2014, Dell unveiled a new range of tablets dubbed the Dell Venue 8 7000 Series. These new tablets have a couple of cool features. The first is that the devices are only 0.24 inches (or just over 6mm) thick, and the second is that they includes a 3D camera.
With little fanfare the Dell Venue 8 7840 has now appeared on BestBuy’s website and is available for purchase. The 7840 looks remarkably like the model shown during the launch of the 7000 series and keeps the distinctive asymmetrical build, as well as the target thickness of 0.24 inches.
The 7840 comes with an 8.4″ OLED infinity display, with a screen resolution of 2560 x 1600. It runs Android 4.4 KitKat, comes with 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. At the heart of the device is an Intel Atom Z3580 quad-core processor, which is clocked up to 2.3GHz. The choice of processor isn’t surprising since the tablet was unveiled at the Intel Developer Forum, plus the RealSense 3D camera also comes from Intel. However, it is important for consumers to understand the differences between ARM and Intel processors.
As for the Intel RealSense technology, it is basically a 3D camera setup that comprises of three cameras, the main 8MP camera and then two smaller ones which add the 3D capabilities. According to Intel’s website, RealSense allows tablets “to see the world in three dimensions and enabling entirely new ways to use them. From scanning a toy and duplicating it with a 3D printer, to dramatically changing the lighting on a picture taken a week ago, the way we use our tablets will evolve in exciting new ways.”
The full name of the new range of tablets is the “The Dell Venue 8 7000 Series Android Tablet” which leads me to think that Dell could also ship Windows variants of these tablets, something it already does for other Venue 8 tablets.
You can get a Dell Venue 8 7840 from BestBuy for $400.
Tipster: Verizon to launch Note Edge on Thursday, Nexus 6 in mid-February
Verizon is in a rather unique position with its dependence on CDMA network standards, for most phones – namely those designed for the global market – make use of GSM technology. While the carrier has had some nice exclusives in the past (see the Motorola Droid line, for example), those customers who want more international products are often out of luck. Such was the case for Verizon and the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. Until now, that is.
Thanks to a tipster, Phandroid has obtained a leaked screen capture allegedly from Verizon, and indicating the Note Edge will launch on the 8th. The source – which has supposedly provided legitimate information on a number of instances – has also claimed that the curved wonder will cost $399 on a 2-year contract, and $33.32 per month on Verizon’s Edge installment-based payment plan. The device can also be had for $799 off-contract (some $70 less than the commitment-free T-Mobile version). It is worth pointing out that one of the two Japanese variants carrying the Edge (KDDI au) is in fact, CDMA-based, and thus Samsung has apparently decided to make further use of the modified internal antenna for a larger market.
The titular tipster has also indicated that the Nexus 6 won’t be launching on Verizon until sometime in mid-February, thus ensuring an even longer wait for those who want to buy on-carrier. (The unlocked Nexus 6 can still be used on Verizon’s network, for reference).
Please note that as Verizon itself has not confirmed either of these two leaks, some degree of skepticism should be accepted in the event the phablet doesn’t edge itself into stores this Thursday.
Samsung shows unidentified handset in KNOX tutorial video
In December, Samsung released a tutorial video for its My KNOX app. The video stayed under the radar until now because of the handset seen running the software. There is no indication as to what exactly the handset is. Clearly, it is neither the Galaxy S 5 nor is it the Galaxy Note 4. So, is the handset in the video a render of the upcoming Galaxy S 6? Perhaps. The bezels are extremely thin and the overall design leans more towards the Galaxy S 4 rather than last year’s flagship. Of course, chances are that the handset is merely a render made strictly for the video.
Hit the break for the video.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Samsung shows unidentified handset in KNOX tutorial video
Acer announces the 64-bit 7.78 mm thick Liquid Jade S smartphone
The Liquid Z410 isn’t the only Acer phone heading to CES this year. The Liquid Jade S was also announced today, which sports a 5-inch display along with a MediaTek 64-bit octa-core processor. That might not be as powerful as something from Qualcomm or Exynos, but couple that with a 13 MP rear camera with an aperture of f/1.8, a 5MP front-facing camera, 4G LTE (Cat. 4), and a 7.78 mm body, and you have quite a phone for €299.
One cool feature is the AcerEXTEND app that will let you use your computer keyboard in place of the onscreen keyboard. You will have to connect the Jade S to your desktop, but it might not be bad for those times in which you need to type information in an app that isn’t available on your computer.
The only real downer is that the Liquid Jade S will sport Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box, but Acer does say that it will be upgraded to Android 5.0 Lollipop later this year. It will go on sale in EMEA this month.
Be sure to check out Talk Android’s full CES 2015 coverage here.
Full Press Release:
Liquid Jade S: Faster, More Powerful, Still Beautiful
LAS VEGAS
2015-01-03
Acer announces the Liquid Jade S that brings additional speed and performance into the Liquid Jade smartphone series. Akin to the original Liquid Jade, the new S version continues to astonish with its superb sleek looks featuring 4G LTE connectivity, true octa-core processing power with 64-bit architecture and a new-and-improved controllable voice-command camera.
The Liquid Jade S will be on display at Pepcom’s Digital Experience! Event on Jan. 5th at The Mirage in Las Vegas.
Epic Speed
The Liquid Jade S was created to be an elegant but powerful smartphone. It premieres the latest 64-bits Octa-core processor from Mediatek (MT6752M) which makes it up to 2.5 times faster than traditional quadcore-powered smartphones currently on the market. Supporting 4G LTE (Cat. 4) ensures speedy connectivity to browse, stream and download almost anywhere in the world.
“We are very pleased to be working with our close partner Acer on its new Liquid Jade S launch. MediaTek technology is accelerating the global transition to LTE, and the MT6752M processor brings high-performance for the mass market. This chip, featuring eight 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 CPUs, will help Acer satisfy its customers’ demand for faster and more powerful Android 64-bit mobile operating systems,” said Jeffrey Ju, SVP and general manager of wireless communication at MediaTek.
Sporting a Mali T760 graphics chip, the Liquid Jade S also secures high quality visuals and seamless graphic performance, great for gaming as well as a smooth user-interface experience. Launching on Android 4.4 Jelly Bean, it is Android 5.0 Lollipop ready when available later in 2015.
Legendary Design
As part of the superior designed Liquid Jade family, it boasts a fully curved body with curved surface and gives the eye an impression of elegance and grace. 7.78mm slim and weighing only 116 grams, the Liquid Jade S is amongst the most elegant, lightest 5-inch LTE smartphones on the market; it is also comfortable to hold and use with one hand, thanks to the securing grip provided by the HD-textured rear. Jade S will be available in four colors1: Cosmic Black, Lunar White, Ice Pink and Solar Red.
Allen Burnes, vice-president Smartphone business, Acer Europe explains: “We’ve had great feedback on the disruptive design of the first Liquid Jade, one of the most beautiful handset launched in 2014 celebrated with the prestigious Good Design award. The Liquid Jade S with its long list of new features evolved from this award-winning design enhances the benefits of a thin, light and elegant smartphone from Acer.”
Marvelous Camera
Thanks to its 13MP rear camera with F1.8 aperture, it can produce flawless pictures in any environment, even when the light is scarce. A front camera of 5 megapixels is also on board, to empower users to shoot their best selfie. The Liquid Jade S’ cameras are voice-actionable, and can be commanded with basic terms such as “Cheese” to shoot or “Selfie” to switch from the rear to the front camera and seamlessly snap a perfect smile. The intuitive interface provides users total control over their cameras, from filters through exposure adjustment. Additionally, Acer introduces a series of exclusive modes, made available for the first time on the Liquid Jade S: Dual Shot lets users make a collage of simultaneous shots from the front and rear cameras for Picture-in-Picture and Video-in-Video, Gourmet Mode will make Instagram feeds more beautiful with delicious shots. And for non tech-savvy types, Auto-Scene-Detect will intuitively set the best camera settings.
Equally Beautiful Inside
Beyond the exclusive camera features, the Liquid Jade S is compatible with the best technology enhancements brought by Acer. AcerEXTEND2 will enable users to take full control of their smartphones via cable or wirelessly using their Windows-based PC, typing with their keyboard, using drag and drop and rich sharing – taking the multitasking experience to the next level.
That’s Not All
The Liquid Jade S comes with optional3 hybrid microSD/dual nano-SIM. Users have the flexibility to swap the microSD card for a second nano-SIM to stay connected to two worlds on one single device, be it personal and work lives for busy professionals, or home and local networks for globe-travelers, while being more organized and cost-effective.
Availability
The Liquid Jade S will be available in January in EMEA with a starting price of €299.-.
1Specifications may vary depending on region.
2AcerEXTEND and Acer QuickMode are Acer Services available on a selection of Acer devices. Availability may be depending on SKU, countries, software version and resellers. Find more info at acer.com or contact your local Acer Service Center.
3The Liquid Jade S (S56) is available in single or hybrid-dual nano/microSD in selected countries. Check out acer.com for more information or contact your local Acer service center.
Come comment on this article: Acer announces the 64-bit 7.78 mm thick Liquid Jade S smartphone
CES 2015: Griffin Unveils Line of New Charging Accessories Optimized for iOS Devices [iOS Blog]
Accessory maker Griffin Technology today unveiled four new products at CES 2015, including its five-slot PowerDock Pro charging station, its three-port PowerBlock 3 wall charger, its PowerBlock Wall Dock for holding a device up on the wall during charging, and its 12-volt PowerJolt Premium car charger.
Griffin’s PowerBlock 3 wall charger allows users to charge up to three devices at one time with 10 watt ports, and features a space-saving design with ChargeSensor technology that can detect and optimize charging for smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and more. The PowerBlock 3 will be available in Summer 2015 for $39.99.
The PowerDock Pro charging station contains five slots and ports for users to store and charge their devices from one power source, and offers 12 watts of charging power with ChargeSensor circuitry that optimizes charging for every device. Each charging bay is designed to accommodate devices without having to remove them from a case, and the PowerDock Pro contains a built-in cord management system and a hidden compartment for cable storage. The PowerDock Pro will be available in Fall 2015 for $129.99.
Next up, Griffin’s PowerBlock Wall Dock is a charging accessory for propping up and holding a device when it’s charging on a wall, leaving the touchscreen fully visible for information. The dock features 12 watts of charging power and a four foot long Lightning cable that detaches. The PowerBlock Wall Dock will be available in Fall 2015 for $34.99.
Finally, Griffin’s PowerJolt Premium is a 12 volt car charger that features a four foot long cable covered in a braided nylon jacket to prevent tangles. The Lightning connector itself is also reinforced with a durable aluminum housing to ensure durability, and the PowerJolt Premium also comes in a detachable power cable version. Both versions of the PowerJolt Premium will be $34.99 when they are released in Fall 2015.
D-Link’s new routers look crazy, but they’re seriously fast
D-Link has just jumped the router shark with its latest AC5300, AC3200 and AC3100 Ultra Performance models. On top of speeds up to 5.3Gbps for the AC5300 model, the 802.11ac devices feature, um, striking looks that hopefully won’t frighten small children or animals. D-Link calls the models “attractive” with a “modern form-factor for today’s homes,” and we’d agree — provided you live in some kind of rouge-accented spaceship. Performance-wise, however, the new models are definitely drool-worthy, thanks to 802.11ac tri-band beamforming speeds between 3.1- and 5.3Gbps, along with gigabit ethernet, high power antennas and onboard USB 3.0 ports.
You can control the devices with a smartphone or tablet, and D-Link also outed an optional DWA-192 USB 3.0 adapter, which connects to laptops and PCs to give them an 802.11ac connection. The AC3200 model will run $310 and is available now from NewEgg, while the rest of the pricing and models will come next quarter.
On top of the wireless stuff, D-Link also announced new PowerLine HomePlug kits, with speeds up to 2Gbps. The company says the DHP-701AV (2Gbps) and DHP-601AV (1Gbps) adapters use the fastest two wires in a typical three-wire power installation with pushbutton connection for ease of installation and security. Both kits comes with two adapters and will run $130 (DHP-701AV) and $80 (DHP-601AV), with both arriving later this quarter.
Does this metal chassis belong to the Samsung Galaxy S 6?
While the Galaxy S 6 is not going to debut this week at CES 2015, leaks regarding its design will. A French media outlet obtained images of what is allegedly the metal chassis for the upcoming Samsung flagship. The company is finally moving away from designs that are predominantly plastic in favor of metal, giving a more premium feel. The metal chassis has various cutouts for items such as the camera, speaker, and antennas.
Source: NoWhereElse.fr
Come comment on this article: Does this metal chassis belong to the Samsung Galaxy S 6?
Newly announced HP displays offer 4K, 5K, curved designs and virtual reality
CES is just getting started and HP has already taken the time to announce some new products. The company has unveiled a number of new monitors, bringing 4K, 5K and even virtual reality to the modern day desktop environment.
HP will be competing against the likes of Samsung for market share on curvy screens. The company today unveiled new curved monitors, in both 27-inch and 24-inch variants. The new displays, branded Pavillion 27c and Envy 34c respectively, are marketed for business applications.
Choosing the Envy 34c will bag you a monitor with a resolution of 3440 x 1440 (21:9), dual HDMI support (with MHL) and a DisplayPort. The Pavillion 27c is a more down to Earth option, sporting 1080p resolution and support for VGA, HDMI and MHL. The Pavillion 27c is available now for $399, while the Envy 34c will arrive in April at $999.
HP also announced new 4K monitors, with both a 23.8-inch and 27-inch model to launch this year. Sporting a resolution of 3840 x 2160, the displays are identical when it comes to specifications and connectivity. DisplayPort joins DVI, HDMI, Mini-DisplayPort, MHL and three USB 3.0 ports. The Z27 will be available later this month for $749, while the Z24 will arrive in April for $549.
A 5K model will also arrive in March, if you’re interested in parting with $1,299. The HP Z27q boasts an IPS display with a resolution of 5120 x 2880, as well as a similar port setup to the above 4K panels. A new 5K screen for under $1,300 isn’t a bad deal.
Finally, the HP Zvr will enable owners to rotate and manipulate content on a 23.6-inch 3D display using a pair of compatible glasses and virtual reality. Four cameras are mounted on the screen to track head movement, as well as detecting just what you’re looking at. Think of this monitor as the gateway to virtual-holographic 3D images.
This particular monitor supports both Dual-link DVI and DisplayPort. HP states that the Zvr will be available early Spring 2015.
Check out the press release below for more details on the new HP monitors.
HP Debuts Virtual Reality Display Reducing the Barriers Between Digital and Physical World
PALO ALTO, CA–(Marketwired – Jan 5, 2015) – HP (NYSE: HPQ) today expanded its portfolio of computer monitors with an interactive virtual reality display, 4K and 5K ultra high-definition displays and curved displays for consumers and professionals. Designed to immerse users into a variety of digital experiences, the new products include:
- HP Zvr Virtual Reality Display: Rotate, manipulate and navigate 3D images from the 23.6-inch diagonal interactive display. The HP Zvr will change how users think, work, and create with virtual-holographic 3D images.
- HP Z27s and HP Z24s 4K Displays and the HP Z27q 5K Display: Ultra high-definition (UHD) solutions aimed to increase productivity by expanding the visual workspace and connecting to more devices.
- HP Z34c, HP ENVY 34c, HP EliteDisplay S270c and HP Pavilion 27c Curved Displays: An immersive personal experience that will enhance visual perception and audio experiences.
“HP’s new displays complement our goal of delivering new technologies that maximize the visual experience and change the way people work and create,” said Jun Kim, vice president and general manager, PC displays and accessories, HP. “HP displays feature performance, innovation, reliability and outstanding image accuracy that we believe will transform how customers connect and interact using technology.”
HP Zvr – A Step Closer to True Holographic Viewing
The HP Zvr Virtual Reality Display provides for an immersive, real-time exploration and manipulation of 3D content. Imagine dissecting a frog or exploring an office complex without getting messy or leaving the desk. HP Zvr, powered by zSpace technology, is another example of HP’s Blended Reality technologies that helps reduce the barriers between the digital and physical worlds, enabling users to express themselves at the speed of thought without the filters and limitations that technology currently places on them.
Users will appreciate real-time, natural interaction that allows people to work with virtual reality applications the way they are used to working today. Users interact seamlessly with a high-definition 3D stereoscopic display combined with full-motion parallax and direct interaction, delivering an intuitive user experience with lifelike realism.
The HP Zvr display is collaborative, allowing people to work together the way they would today, choosing to look at things in the real or virtual world, even while using the platform. The optional HP zView solution also allows real-time sharing of 3D models to a 2D big screen. Dual-link DVI or DisplayPort connections to an HP Z Workstation provide easy connectivity for architectural, MCAD, education, and scientific content.
Ultra High-Definition Displays(2)Deliver Outstanding Image Quality
HP’s two 4K displays and its 5K display increase the viewing of image detail, can connect to multiple devices at once and are intended to increase productivity. By upgrading from a full high-definition display users will quadruple the real estate of the screen — allowing users to see more data in spreadsheets, keep multiple windows open side-by-side or program more lines of code. Additionally, the new media being filmed in 4K (and higher formats) can be fully enjoyed to the smallest details and new scalar technologies combined with higher resolutions let users see a mobile phone, notebook and tablet all at once on the screen.
Users will enjoy 3840 x 2160 resolution on the HP Z27s (27 diagonal inches) and HP Z24s (23.8 diagonal inches) displays. These two 4K displays have a 16:9 UHD panel, with the sRGB or AdobeRGB color gamuts and 1.07 billion colors for incredible color presentation of highly-detailed digital workflows. The displays include DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, Mini-DP, MHL(3) and USB 3.0 connections and are equipped with a four-way ergonomic stand, including pivot to switch quickly between landscape and portrait modes.
The HP Z27q Display has a 5120×2880, 5K wide-color gamut. It delivers seven times more pixels than a classic full HD display — packed in a factory-calibrated IPS solution. The HP Z27q boasts premier imagery with 14.7 million pixels, 16:9 aspect ratio, 300 nits luminance(4) and 1.07 billion colors. The HP Z27q offers picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture, allowing users to display mobile device and PC feeds.
Curved Displays Enhance Visual and Audio Computing Experience
The HP Z34c, HP ENVY 34c, HP EliteDisplay S270c and HP Pavilion 27c Curved Displays deliver an elegant, immersive, curved visual and audio experience with enhanced peripheral readability. These HP displays offer an exceptional 3000:1 CR and low-haze enhancement technology to reduce reflectiveness without losing clarity, with an expansive 178-degree field of view. Users can mirror smart phone or tablet content to the screen through an MHL connection that also keeps devices charged and ready to go.
The HP Z34c and HP ENVY 34c 3000r Curved Displays, measure 34-inches diagonally, feature a wide 21:9 aspect ratio. These HP displays support a 3440 x 1440 ultra-high resolution with 98 percent sRGB and a premium 6 watt/channel speakers with DTS Audio. They include a VESA-compatible bracket(5) and offer picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture which allows users to view device and PC feeds at the same time.
The 27-inch diagonal, HP EliteDisplay S270c and HP Pavilion 27c 4000r Curved Displays feature a 1920 x 1080 full HD(6) resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio and 95 percent sRGB color gamut. They have integrated speakers with 4 watt/channel speakers with DTS Audio.
Price and Availability
- HP Zvr expected availability is Spring 2015. Pricing available upon request.
- The HP Z27s, and HP Z24s displays are expected to be available worldwide beginning in January and April respectively. Estimated U.S. pricing starts at $749 and $549, respectively.
- The HP Z27q Display is expected to be available beginning in March at an estimated U.S. price of $1299.
- HP Z34c and HP ENVY 34c are expected to be available worldwide beginning in April at an estimated U.S. price of $999.
- HP EliteDisplay S270c and Pavilion 27c Curved Displays are available now for $399.
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