Exclusive: The hottest smartwatch of CES isn’t running Android Wear — it’s Open webOS
We bring you the inside look at the most mysterious timepiece of CES 2015
LG and Audi’s smartwatch collaboration is the most desirable wearable of CES 2015, and while the carmaker says it’s just a prototype, the device offers a tantalizing glimpse of future LG wearables. Or at worst an agonizing look at a beautiful watch we’d love to own.
We tracked down the Audi/LG watch — still officially nameless, by the way — in Las Vegas today, and we can exclusively reveal that it’s not running Android Wear as originally believed. In fact, it’s packing completely different software based on LG’s Open webOS.
Future handsets from Samsung will offer support for enhanced themes
It’s no secret that Samsung has been toying with the idea of offering the ability for users of its smartphones the ability to theme their devices. Much like that of third party launchers, users would be able to set a general scheme complete with themed icons for TouchWiz. It looks like the company will be making theming a priority in future devices with Samsung’s next Galaxy flagship, the S6 leading the charge.
It appears that the theming function, first introduced in the Galaxy A Series devices will be called theme center (or a variation there of) and will include a few additional items such as the ability to change system sounds, fonts, and events. We’re not sure what it is exactly, but it appears that the events category could be holiday related, allowing users to, for example, change their theme for specific days like Easter or Halloween.
But wait, there’s more! Upcoming devices will feature a theme store — as brought to light by the image above showing off the theme store icon — that will allow users to pick up new themes. We’re not sure if there will be an option allowing third-party themes but given Samsung’s pro-developer stance, it could very well be the case.
Of course, we’re a few months away from seeing Galaxy S 6, and knowing for sure if these rumors will pan out, but even more customization for users can’t hurt Samsung, who’s currently struggling with moving phones.
source: SamMobile
Come comment on this article: Future handsets from Samsung will offer support for enhanced themes
Samsung Fingers may actually be an upcoming product
In April, Samsung humorously announced the fictional Fingers smart glove. While it was definitely funny to think about at the time, Samsung seems to be serious about a similar device. In January of last year, the company filed to patent a smart glove. The title for the application is “FINGER MOTION RECOGNITION GLOVE USING CONDUCTIVE MATERIALS AND METHOD THEREOF.” Unsurprisingly, the device is loaded with sensors. It is unlikely that this device will debut anytime soon; however, the patent filing shows that Samsung was not laughing too much when it teased Fingers.
Source: USPTO
Via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Samsung Fingers may actually be an upcoming product
Fitbit’s CEO explains why his company isn’t making a smartwatch
International CES may as well be called the International Smartwatch Show. There are so many wearables on display here, I’ve had trouble keeping track of them all. And yet, there’s one company that in theory should be making a smartwatch, but isn’t. That would be Fitbit, whose name is about as synonymous with “fitness tracker” as “Kleenex” is with tissues. Though the company recently released the Surge, a GPS-enabled sports band, CEO and founder James Park insists he’ll never build a smartwatch, per se. He also won’t be coating his fitness trackers in tacky Swarovski crystals, but really, anyone would good sense should know not to do that. Check out the video below to see my full interview with Mr. Park and to hear what’s next for the company (hint: it involves a lot of data scientists).
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Filed under: Wearables
Bang & Olufsen are showing off their new bluetooth headphones, the BeoPlay H8
Wired headphones are still going to offer the best possible audio experience, but as people become more and more mobile the case for a decent pair of wireless headphones becomes increasingly clear. This year at CES the folks from Bang & Olufsen are showing off their new line of wireless over the ear headphones,which have been dubbed BeoPlay H8.
Aside from the classic design and high end build materials, which lets be honest is expected from Bang & Olufsen, the headphones are entirely touch responsible. The volume controls and track management happens with swipes and taps, and the battery life on these headphones promise 14 hours of high quality playback on a single charge.
As bluetooth headphones go the BeoPlay H8 certainly gets points for being pretty and functional, but whether or not you are willing to part with $500 is an entirely separate matter.
Bang & Olufsen are showing off their new bluetooth headphones, the BeoPlay H8
Wired headphones are still going to offer the best possible audio experience, but as people become more and more mobile the case for a decent pair of wireless headphones becomes increasingly clear. This year at CES the folks from Bang & Olufsen are showing off their new line of wireless over the ear headphones, which have been dubbed BeoPlay H8.
HTC looking to expand in connected devices and entertainment in 2015
HTC is promising a stellar 2015 for consumers and with renewed growth from its mid-range devices and expansion in 2014, the company is looking to expand even further by diving into other areas of technology. At CES this week, HTC announced that it will be expanding into entertainment and connected devices (smart appliances, etc) while renewing its commitments in both wearables and digital imaging.
While HTC didn’t show anything off at CES, (be sure to check out all our CES coverage here) the first products of this new expansion should start rolling out to consumers sometime this year. As for as specifics were concerned, HTC was pretty vague.
Even with the expansion, the company faces tough competition from competitors like Xiaomi, Apple, and Samsung, and HTC will still continue to focus on smartphones. Even as it gradually moves into a more personal tech company versus that of a smartphone company. There’s concern about HTC expanding in light of this competition. However, as HTC’s VP of Creative Laps group told Re/code there really isn’t another option.
“That’s a fair question, but I think the reality is that we have to do these things,” he said. “Not because we’re going to run out of money at any moment but because no matter how well we do on the phones, we recognize that in the medium to long term, it’s important for HTC to be in these other categories.”
However, Bamford was aware of the risks and accepted them.
“It’s going to be very difficult, I think, for HTC to make great phones and great emerging devices and great software and services, but it’s just a challenge we have to take on,” he said. “And HTC has never shied away from risks and challenge, so we’re diving into it head first and we’re having a lot with fun it.”
HTC’s promising consumers that there will be surprises in 2015, this expansion could very well be a part of it. What are you hoping to see from HTC in 2015?
source: Re/code
Come comment on this article: HTC looking to expand in connected devices and entertainment in 2015
Android 5.0 update for the One M8 will start rolling out in 1-2 weeks
According to LlabTooFeR, who is well in the loop about HTC related information, the One M8 will start receiving its Android 5.0 update within the next two weeks. He mentions that EU and WWE (Worldwide English) regions will be the first to get the update, but there’s still no word on when the American carrier variants of the handset will receive the coveted update.
This is pretty much everything he mentions in his tweet with no word on whether there will be any new additions to the Lollipop ROM. But earlier leaks have given us a good idea of what to expect from the Android 5.0 ROM for HTC flagships, so there are barely any surprises left. While we expect there to be some Material Design elements with the ROM, HTC will maintain its stock theme and make some improvements to the look and feel of the home screen.
We expect to get more word on this new ROM over the coming weeks.
Source: @LlabTooFeR – Twitter
Come comment on this article: Android 5.0 update for the One M8 will start rolling out in 1-2 weeks
AT&T Mobile Share Value customers get free rollover data
AT&T customers now get to carry over their unused data from one month to the next. They used this concept years ago to mobile minutes, when most plans had limited minutes, the main difference being the rollover data is good for one month whereas minutes were good for a year. I am not complaining about rollover data only being good for one month because there are usually only one or two months out of the year when I might possibly need more data and that’s usually when I go on vacation or head home for the holidays and spend more time on cellular vs. WiFi. If you’re in a plan where you are constantly watching your data, my suggestion for you is to move up to the next plan. Data watching is no fun and implementing rules for your family is even less fun.
I have the 30GB family plan that I share with my siblings, which means if we used 20GB, we get to carry over 10GB to the next month. In the next month, we will have the extra 10GB, but use our first 30GB so the 10GB is only used to protect from going over our limits.
Users will automatically be enrolled in this feature so no need to call AT&T and bug them unless you enjoy talking to customer service. The rollover data plan starts January 25th and is applied to all users of the Mobile Share Value plan.
Source – AT&T
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Apple Seeds OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 Build 14C94b to Developers
Apple today seeded a fourth beta of OS X 10.10.2 Yosemite to developers, nearly four weeks after the previous beta release. The interval between seeds was slightly longer than usual for recent updates, presumably due to the holiday pause.
The new beta, build 14C94b, is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store and through the Mac Dev Center.
Apple continues to ask developers to focus their testing on Wi-Fi, Mail, and VoiceOver. Wi-Fi in particular has been an issue for some OS X Yosemite users since the operating system’s October launch, and OS X 10.10.1 released in November failed to resolve all of those problems.
AIVAnet 