Last chance deal: Non-fiction made easy with Blinkist, $49
We’ve all been in a situation where quickly brushing up on a subject could have tipped the scales of fortune in our favor. What have you missed out on by being ignorant to an idea? Living …
6
Jan
Republicans will try to defund the FCC if net neutrality moves forward
The Wall Street Journal has an interesting piece today that discusses new ways that Republicans in Congress will try to stop the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from imposing net neutrality rules on broadband Internet providers. The FCC is expected to publicly release and vote on the new rules at some point next month.
Net Neutrality advocates want the FCC to classify broadband providers as a utility which would allow the FCC to actually have authority over rules/regulations already in place. At the moment, the FCC’s power is minimal at best. But according to Republicans, net neutrality is a “step too far” and “regulatory overreach by the FCC” and that such rules could hurt future progress with cyber-security and wireless spectrum.
So, what could Republicans do if the FCC takes the next step towards classifying broadband providers as a utility?
In the House, a Republican staffer for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees the FCC, said lawmakers won’t know what steps they will take until they see the agency’s final plan. But all options are on the table, he said, including legislation to block reclassification and cutting the agency’s budget. – Wall Street Journal
The FCC is already vastly under-staffed and over-worked due to multiple record-breaking acquisitions being put on its table, such as the Comcast/Time Warner Cable merger.
This isn’t even the first time that Republicans have tried to slash the FCC’s budget. Last year, the House put forward an appropriations bill, H.R 5016, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, that cut the FCC’s budget by $17 million and was $53 million less than what the FCC was requesting. This on top of the already significant cuts that the FCC dealt with during sequestration from the previous year.
As the Wall Street Journal reports, John Thune (R-SD), the incoming chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, is one of the main forces behind the potential Republican manuever. It also isn’t hard to see why he is so much against net neutrality, he has quite the history.
In 2009, a number of Republicans proposed a spending measure that prohibited the FCC from “expending any funds in fiscal year 2010 to implement any Internet neutrality or network management principles, or to promulgate any rules relating to such principles.”
As Stop The Cap noted then, AT&T donated more than $400,000 to the six Republicans opposing Net Neutrality, and one of those senators used to work for a Washington DC lobbying firm that was hired by Comcast. His name is John Thune (R-SD).
A year later, another group of Republicans, including Thune, introduced a new bill titled the “Freedom for Consumer Choice Act (FCC Act),” which was essentially written by AT&T. As TechDirt noted at the time, AT&T was the top contributor to most of the politicians involved in the bill and the few politicians who didn’t have AT&T’s donor support in past year suddenly saw AT&T appear on their list of top contributors.
As Politico wrote about recently:
The fact that this argument is even slightly political is ridiculous. This isn’t a conservative or liberal issue. Consumers want their internet without absurd and arbitrary restrictions. That is it. As shown by the sky-rocketing prices and average service, consumers are even willing to over-pay to have such freedom on the internet. As this site has mentioned on a number of occasions, net neutrality has never nor will ever have anything to do with the government “controlling the Internet.”
6
Jan
Viper SmartStart 4.0 allows you to start or lock your car using Android Wear
The future is closing in on us fast, folks. Following Hyundai’s big Android Wear news a few days ago, Viper has just announced their new Android Wear-integrated app. SmartStart, the company’s smartphone app that allows users to start and lock their cars, has been around for quite some time. However, up until now, the functionality has been limited to smartphones. With the update to SmartStart version 4.0, Viper is extending car control functionality to both Android Wear and Apple Watch devices.
The Android Wear integration will act exactly like the app does currently, but now you can use it on your wrist. Here are all of the features included in SmartStart so far:
- Lock/arm
- Unlock/disarm
- Remote car starter
- Trunk release
- Panic or car finder
- Aux channel control
For quite some time, Viper has made quality car security systems for a (relatively) inexpensive price, with some going as low as $149.99. So if you already have a Viper, now may be your time to pick up an Android Wear device. The update to version 4.0 should be rolling out to the app sometime in early 2015. If you still need to grab the application, you can do so from the Play Store.
VIPER ANNOUNCES APP THAT WILL REMOTELY START, LOCK AND UNLOCK
YOUR CAR FROM APPLE WATCH AND ANDROID WEAR
~ Smart Watch Technology to Become the Next Evolution of Viper SmartStart ~
VISTA, Calif. (January 5, 2015) – Viper, the 30-year leader in car security, today announced
that Viper SmartStart, the app that gives users the ability to start, lock, unlock and track
their car from virtually anywhere in the world with their smartphone, will be available for
Android Wear and Apple Watch in early 2015. Viper made the announcement at the 2015
International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Viper’s smart watch functionality will be available for free download for Android and iOS
through the company’s newest version of the Viper SmartStart 4.0 app. Viper SmartStart
4.0 is compatible with all Viper SmartStart hardware, which means all existing and future
Viper SmartStart users who purchase an Apple Watch or Android Wear product will be able
to take advantage of the smart watch features at no additional cost.
“Wearable technology will give Viper SmartStart users the ability to feel connected with
their vehicle in an even more accessible and convenient way,” said Frank DeMartin, Senior
Vice President of Development and Engineering for Viper. “Whether people choose to use
Viper SmartStart through their smartphone, smart watch or both, the updated Viper
SmartStart 4.0 app will enhance their ability to seamlessly communicate with their car.”
To increase the functionality of Viper SmartStart for the smartphone, SmartStart 4.0 is
updated with a more intuitive home screen that offers faster access to the primary
controls, including interactive overlays to walk customers through how to use the app.
Consumers can visit http://www.viper.com to purchase a Viper system from an authorized dealer,
learn more about Viper SmartStart 4.0 and enter a contest to win a smart watch and a
complete Viper system. Pricing starts at $149.99.
Apple Watch is a trademark of Apple Inc. Android Wear is a trademark of Google, Inc.
About Viper
For 30 years, Viper has been a world leader in automotive electronics. Viper protects and
remotely starts more vehicles than anyone else on the planet. Viper created the connected
car category with the launch of Viper SmartStart in 2009 – the app that lets you start,
locate and control your car from virtually anywhere in the world with your smartphone.
Recipient of hundreds of technology patents and awards, the company is based in Southern
California. Visit http://www.viper.com or follow our social: @vipersmartstart,
facebook.com/viper, youtube.com/vipersmartstart.
6
Jan
Samsung’s new service lets you download 4K movies
The few 4K video services that exist right now typically require that you stream whatever you’re watching — not very practical given the sub-par state of broadband in some areas. You won’t have to settle for a mere 1080p for much longer, though. Samsung is teaming up with its frequent media partner M-Go to launch a 4K movie download service that uses the UHD Video Pack hard drive to store those extra-sharp blockbusters and dramas. Supposedly, it’ll offer the “highest quality content” that Samsung owners can get. The company hasn’t said when you’ll get to try this Ultra HD offering beyond a generic 2015 window, but it’ll work with both SUHD and regular UHD sets.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Samsung
Source: Samsung
6
Jan
Last chance deal: Non-fiction made easy with Blinkist, $49
We’ve all been in a situation where quickly brushing up on a subject could have tipped the scales of fortune in our favor. What have you missed out on by being ignorant to an idea? Living in New York City, public transportation is a vital part of everyday life. I see folks playing Candy Crush or Temple Run and think about what society might be like if we spent these menial moments in transit to sharpen our greatest instrument instead of distracting it. Now, I’m not going all Bradley Cooper in Limitless on you but I think we can all agree that digestible serving-sized information is a provocative idea. The good folks at Blinkist also agree!
Blinkist is a mobile app that distills the reading process down into vital information that helps you tackle new topics in record time. Think “Cliff’s Notes” but for nonfiction. Blinkist has an expansive library with a vast range of topics that are sure to appeal to every thinker’s palate. With access to over 500 books, you’ll be burning through a variety of data at lightning speeds. Compatible with your tablets, PC, and smartphones, Blinkist transforms downtime. Normally priced at $120, AndroidGuys readers can secure a 2 year subscription for just $49. This deal ends tonight, so get in while the gettin’s good.
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6
Jan
We’re live from Sony’s CES 2015 press conference at 5 p.m. PST
It’s been an eventful day here at CES 2015, and we’re not done yet. At 5 p.m. PST today — 8 p.m. on the east coast — it’s Sony’s turn. The Japanese manufacturer has teased the arrival of a new Android 5.0 Lollipop device, but it’s unclear what form this will take — phone, tablet, TV or something entirely different.
Whatever emerges, we’ll be live from Las Vegas to bring you full coverage of Sony’s CES presence. Join us at 5 p.m. PST for all the announcements!
6
Jan
Dell Venue 8 claims world’s thinnest tablet title, implements Intel RealSense
Dell is probably not the first name that comes to mind when thinking about Android tablet devices, but the company hopes to change that. The Dell Venue 8 7840, which has been in the works for a while, is finally available for retail purchase. The tablet can be purchased through Best Buy for $399. Dell brings a couple unique features to the table with the device that may make it worthwhile to look at.
First is the thin size of the tablet. At the rounding level, the Dell Venue 8 is the same thickness as the iPad Air 2 at 6.1 mm thick. Go beyond that first decimal place though and Dell is able to make their claim of world’s thinnest tablet. Looking to the width and height dimensions, Dell’s tablet comes with an 8.4-inch OLED screen that implements an “Infinity Edge-to-Edge” display which gives the device some thin bezels on three of four sides. Resolution is a nice 2560 x 1600. The Venue 8 comes with an Intel Atom processor running at 2.3 GHz, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage which is expandable via microSD. On the down side, the Venue 8 ships with Android 4.4 KitKat instead of Android Lollipop.
The rear-facing camera is the second unique selling point for the Venue 8. The camera itself is only an 8 MP unit, but it incorporates Intel’s RealSense technology. RealSense technology can scan a real-life object and generate a 3D scan of the object. The 3D scan can be used to pull depth information as well as generate 3D printable instructions. The Venue 8 is the first mobile device to implement this technology.
If you think you want to place an order for a Dell Venue 8, hit the source link below.
source: Best Buy
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6
Jan
Lenovo announces the sharp Vibe X2 Pro at CES 2015
Lenovo introduced the P90, Tab 2, and Vibe Band today in Las Vegas. The company also announced the Vibe X2 Pro. It is a stunning handset that comes in Electric Blue, Champagne Gold, and Rock Pink as color options. The layered design on the sides of the Vibe X2 Pro give it a unique look.
The specifications of the Vibe X2 Pro are not necessarily dull, but they are not cutting edge either. The 5.3-inch display is 1920×1080 resolution. Under the hood is a Snapdragon 615 processor from Qualcomm paired with 2GB of RAM. The processor is 64-bit and clocked at 1.5GHz. The energy efficient processor working with a 2410mAh battery should provide for some lengthy battery life.
Both rear and front-facing cameras are 13MP with a slew of gesture and touch-up software tools.
At its core, Android 4.4 KitKat can be found. Lenovo included its Vibe UI 2.0 software to mask any signs of stock Android.
Pricing and availability of the Vibe X2 Pro has yet to be announced, but Lenovo did confirm that the handset will not make its way to the United States.
Hit the break for the full press release. Click here for our full CES 2015 coverage.
Lenovo Introduces New High-Performance Smartphones and Mobile Accessories
Ultra-fast P90 smartphone with latest Intel 64-bit processor and Intel LTE-Advanced modem, VIBE X2 Pro limited edition with selfie flash accessory and VIBE VB10 smartband wearable
LAS VEGAS – January 5, 2015 – Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show a lineup of full featured devices and accessories designed to enhance the mobile experience of consumers on-the-go. The Lenovo P90 makes its debut appearance as the first smartphone powered by the newest 64-bit Intel® Atom™ processor and Intel XMM™ 7260 LTE-Advanced modem for outstanding mobile performance and speeds, while the award-winning VIBE X2 gets a bigger, bolder look with the X2 Pro limited edition smartphone and VIBE Xtension™ Selfie Flash. The Lenovo VIBE Band VB10 wearable accessory rounds up the lineup with its E Ink display and industry-leading battery life.
First smartphone powered by Intel® Atom™ 64-bit processor and Intel LTE Advanced Modem
The Lenovo P90 is the first smartphone to utilize the combination of the newest 64-bit Intel® Atom™ Z3560 processor with Intel’s 5-mode XMM™ 7262 modem. These powerful components allow the P90 to provide incredible processing speeds in addition to supporting LTE-Advanced FDD & TDD for high-speed connectivity in global markets.
The Lenovo P90 smartphone is designed to provide the power and performance to let consumers go fast and get things done. Featuring a huge 4000mAh battery, the P90 is equipped to meet the pace and demand of today’s lifestyle from morning until night. The P90’s vibrant 5.5-inch FHD display, at an impressive 400ppi, lets mobile users enjoy content and relive their best moments with vivid colors and high-quality resolution.
In addition, the P90 sports an advanced 13MP rear camera with state-of-the-art stacking sensor and optical image stabilization for brilliant shots, even in low-light. The 5MP front camera is equipped with beautification features and gesture controls, while 4G LTE data speeds are ideal for streaming video and music, or gaming on the go. The P90 will be offered in Pearl White, Onyx Black and Lava Red.
VIBE smartphones gets bigger and faster with X2 Pro
Sporting the same eye-catching, award-winning layered design of the Lenovo X2, the Lenovo VIBE X2 Pro limited edition smartphone brings craftsmanship, power and style to the next level with its sleek, lightweight full-metal body. The VIBE X2 Pro packs a 5.3-inch FHD display with stunning visuals and a 64-bit Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Octa-Core processor that delivers jaw-dropping performance and long-lasting battery life.
For greater ease of use, the Lenovo X2 Pro incorporates the intuitively designed VIBE 2.0 user interface, featuring personalized lock screen, Instant On camera, elegant transparent icons and more. The smartphone also utilizes dual 13 megapixel auto-focus cameras (front and rear) with LED flash, gesture controls and beautification features, which combines with the new VIBE Xtension™ Selfie Flash to capture flawless selfies.
Perfect selfie shots every time, all the time
The Lenovo VIBE Xtension™ Selfie Flash is the must-have accessory to capture every moment, no matter the lighting conditions. The pocket-sized flash plugs into the audio jack, giving the user a quick way to create ideal lighting and shutter sync to deliver brilliant, natural-looking pictures outside, inside and everywhere in between.
The Selfie Flash works by using 8 diffused LEDs to supplement available light for natural color tones, even in low light condition. The rechargeable flash provides up to 100 selfies in a single charge to snap and share pictures day and night, while the 100% shutter sync times seamlessly to capture picture-perfect selfies.
All-week, always-on wearable connectivity
The Lenovo VIBE Band VB10 wearable accessory is designed to let users live their lives more connected and with less worry. Equipped with features like E Ink display, up to seven-day battery life with the display and Bluetooth always turned on, fitness functions, phone notifications and waterproofing, the VIBE Band helps users stay fit, connected and in the know anywhere they go. The E Ink display means no glare and a clear display – even in sunlight.
Users can receive instant notifications – calls, SMS, Facebook, Twitter, WeChat and more – with space for up to 150 characters on the crisp display, while fitness functions & tracking monitor fitness levels and activity to help users stay focused on their health goals. The Lenovo VIBE Band VB10 works with any Android or iOS mobile device and is competitively priced at $89.
Quotes
“As lifestyles and everyday habits become more and more mobile, consumers today are looking to devices that deliver both performance and long lasting battery life in sleek, stylish designs,” said Shao Tao, vice president, Mobile business unit, Lenovo. “These are some of the driving forces behind our new range of mobile devices that offer blazing fast processing speeds, innovative new features and extended battery life to enhance the mobile experience of the most demanding users.”“The Lenovo P90 smartphone is an impressive addition to the growing portfolio of Intel-powered smartphones,” said Hermann Eul, Intel’s vice president of Mobile Communications. “As one of the first smartphones powered by Intel’s latest processor coupled with the LTE-Advanced XMM 7260 modem, people will enjoy exceptional speed and 64-bit performance that will provide users with a great mobile experience. We are proud to continue our work with Lenovo on this major milestone.”
Availability3
The Lenovo P90 will be available beginning in February, 2015.
The Lenovo VIBE X2 Pro will be available beginning in April, 2015.
The Lenovo VIBE Xtension™ Selfie Flash will be available for use with the VIBE X2 Pro.
The Lenovo VIBE Band VB10 will be available beginning in April, 2015.
1Available in select geographies.
2Requires enabled device and may require software or other 3d party applications to provide the described features.
3Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Products may only be available in selected markets. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a $39 billion global Fortune 500 company and a leader in providing innovative consumer, commercial, and enterprise technology. Our portfolio of high-quality, secure products and services covers PCs (including the legendary Think and multimode YOGA brands), workstations, servers, storage, smart TVs and a family of mobile products like smartphones (including the Motorola brand), tablets and apps. Join us on LinkedIn, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@Lenovo) or visit us at www.lenovo.com.
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6
Jan
Google Launches ‘Google Cast’ for Audio Streaming as AirPlay Alternative With a Twist [iOS Blog]
Google today announced Google Cast for audio, a new music streaming technology in the vein of Chromecast that lets users stream sound from their smartphone, tablet, or Chrome-based web browser to Google Cast-ready speakers.
The service uses pre-existing apps like Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Google Play Music, amongst a sizable list of others, to play a user’s songs on a selection of speakers from companies like Sony and LG. With the long list of supported apps and sites, Google Cast supports a wide variety of input devices from iPhone, iPad, Android Phones and tablets, to any Mac or PC with a Chrome browser.
While Google Cast at first glance appears similar to Apple’s AirPlay in that it is a standard available to speaker manufacturers to ensure support for wireless audio streaming, Google Cast speakers stream content from the cloud rather than directly from the control device. As a result, Google promises users will receive the best sound quality and can multitask on their devices without disturbing the streams.
The company promises the first Google Cast-ready speakers from Sony, LG, and HEOS by Denon will be made available this spring. Alongside the promise of a wider array of brands supporting the service with their own speakers throughout 2015, Google states that these devices will accompany “a growing Google Cast ecosystem,” which plans to include Android-based TVs, gaming consoles, and even set-top boxes.
6
Jan
HTC unveils the low-cost Desire 320 handset for the UK and Germany
Almost a year ago, HTC announced the lower-end Desire 310 for select markets. It offered decent specifications with a low price point, and that really hit home with a lot of users. Now the company is back at CES 2015 with a newer version of the handset, the Desire 320. The device is pretty average in terms of entry-level smartphones, though it does offer a few bonus software features like Blinkfeed and HTC’s Video Highlights functionality.
The Desire 320 totes a 4.5-inch display with 480 x 854 resolution. It comes with a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, either 512MB or 1GB of RAM (depending on region), 4 or 8GB of on-board storage, microSD card expansion up to 32GB, and is running Android 4.4 KitKat. It also features a 5MP rear-facing camera, VGA front-facing camera, a 21oomAh Li-Po battery and will come in Vanilla White or Dark Gray. Unfortunately, the Desire 320 isn’t 4G LTE compatible.
Specific pricing and availability hasn’t entirely been announced, but we do know it’s coming to the UK sometime soon. The device is also already on sale through Telus and Koodo in Canada, and will come to O2 Germany towards the end of this month for €149.
HTC COMBINES AMAZING VALUE AND ALL-ROUND PERFORMANCE WITH THE HTC DESIRE 320
HTC packs all the smartphone essentials into one entry-level phone, with super-fast processing power, HTC BlinkFeed and Video Highlights
LONDON, 5th JANUARY – HTC Corporation (“HTC”), a global leader in mobile innovation and design, has today announced the HTC Desire 320. As the successor to the HTC Desire 310, it is packed with all your everyday essentials and delivers a smooth browsing experience, seamless multi-tasking and the ability to create quick, personalised videos. The latest addition to the HTC Desire family has been designed for the entry-level market and delivers a quality user experience in an affordable handset, offering real value for money.
“Marrying super-fast processing with premium HTC features in a compact form, the HTC Desire 320 delivers a quality experience for the budget conscious well beyond its entry-level model status” said Peter Frølund, UK and Nordics General Manager, HTC. “Following on from the success of the HTC Desire 310, it boasts enhanced power and memory to enable more people to benefit from a quality smartphone experience that delivers the perfect balance between smart essentials and value.”
Seamless experience
Behind the slick operation of the HTC Desire 320, which runs on Android™ 4.4, is a fast Quad-core 1.3 GHz quad-core processor capable of handling an array of tasks, from watching videos, playing the latest games to juggling your favourite apps, delivering a smooth experience every time.
Packed with features
For an entry-level handset, the HTC Desire 320 is packed with features. Whatever your pace of life, the 5MP camera ensures you’re able to capture every key moment as it happens, in still or video format, brought to life on its stunning 4.5″ screen. Furthermore, the HTC Desire 320 allows you to get creative with mini movies using HTC’s Video Highlights functionality. Simply take your favourite photos and videos, select a sequence and a favourite track, to create an impressive show reel in seconds, ready to share with friends and family.
The HTC Desire 320 also brings you the renowned HTC BlinkFeed for up to the minute news, perfect for those who like to stay connected and keep up with the latest action as it happens. Combining content from your favourite news and social media sites into an easily digestible feed on your home screen, personalised updates are brought straight to you at a glance. Wherever you are, you can catch-up on the latest articles with Offline Reading mode. Simply download and add articles to your reading list when connected to Wi-Fi to access and enjoy at a later date, perfect for those who enjoy reading on the move.
Availability
The HTC Desire 320 comes in Vanilla White and Dark Gray. UK availability will be announced in the near future.
6
Jan
Panasonic is bringing its Lumix CM1 camera/smartphone to the U.S.
Earlier today, Panasonic has announced the Lumix CM1 at CES 2015. AndroidandMe notes the device originally was slated just for the European market. However, with today’s unveiling, the company has revealed the device is indeed coming to the United States.
The Panasonic Lumix CM1’s main selling point appears to be a 20-megapixel camera with a f/2.8 Leica lens, a manual control ring, and a mechanical shutter. Nonetheless, it is equipped with some rather high-end specs, including Android 4.4 KitKat, a 4.7-inch 1080p display, a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a micro SD card slot, and a 2,600mAH battery.
The Lumix CM1 will be released this summer for $1,000 as an unlocked GSM device that will function on AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks.
Source: AndroidandMe
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