Google releases Project Tango from ATAP
Google recently moved their Google Glass project from the Google[x] lab to a new home with the Nest team. Now they are graduating another project from its development home. Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects group, or ATAP, has announced that they are “transitioning” Project Tango out of their group, although it is unclear where Project Tango is going to end up within the Google organization.
Project Tango launched a couple years and ATAP indicated that was long enough for a project to exist within ATAP. Project Tango is an attempt to bring technology that can build a virtual 3D map based on sensors detecting a device’s position in space. As an example, the team used their technology to build some self-propelled SPHERES for NASA to use in space.
Google indicates they are “committed to moving the technology forward” but no other details were available about how that is going to pan out.
source: +Google ATAP
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Third-Party Tesla App Provides Look at Opportunities and Limitations of Apple Watch Development
Apple made its WatchKit SDK available alongside the release of iOS 8.2 and Xcode 6.2 beta in November, enabling developers to begin creating apps and software for the wrist-worn device. Looking beyond mockups and conceptual apps, however, a new third-party Tesla app designed by Eleks Labs offers insight into both the opportunities and limitations that developers face with the first-generation Apple Watch.
According to Eleks Lab mobility business developer Markiyan Matsekh, the technical capabilities of WatchKit do not match the expectations set during the Apple Watch keynote. In developing a prototype Tesla app that allows users to control a Model S over the Internet using a web-service API, the team of software engineers found a lot of functionality to be unavailable to developers at this time.
“If you look at the opportunities available for smart watch application development, you’ll also see a quite pessimistic picture,” wrote Matsekh. “Apple does not indulge developers with an abundance of functionality and tools. However, we can hope that the available functions are limited because this is only the first beta version and it will get much better towards the release.”
Matsekh claims that developers do not have access to the Apple Watch’s gyroscope, accelerometer, built-in speaker and microphone or Taptic Engine system of tactile notifications for development. Additionally, despite the Apple Watch display being touch sensitive, he claims that only Force Touch, which displays the shortcut menu, is available for developers, while GPS is restricted to a paired iPhone.
Even with its current limitations, this Tesla app provides an early look at the opportunities that Apple Watch apps make possible. The multipurpose software brings a lot of Tesla car control functionality to the wrist, such as an overview of the car’s battery, temperature and mileage, a controls menu for opening or closing the car and activating the headlights, and various screens related to charging, climate, location and the car’s condition.
Despite claiming that the Apple Watch has “weak potential for programmers” based on its current emulator-only development environment, Matsekh recognizes that his assumptions are based off of the first WatchKit SDK available to developers. As with the iPhone and iPad, the first-generation Apple Watch will inevitability have some developmental hiccups that are ironed out over the years.
Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed at the company’s quarterly earnings call on Tuesday that the Apple Watch is on schedule to ship in April, likely alongside a new version of WatchKit. MacRumors also learned that Apple has asked some developers to have Apple Watch apps ready for mid-February. In a short few months, a clearer picture should emerge of just how much potential Apple’s first wearable device has for developers.
Motorola Moto G (2014) LTE model makes its way to Brazil
Towards the end of 2014, we reported that mention of the Motorola Moto G (2014) LTE surfaced on Motorola Brazil’s website. In addition to 4G connectivity, the new phone was set to bring a bigger 2390mAh battery, as opposed to the smaller 2070mAh battery we’ve seen in the past. The device has now officially launched, and can now be purchased on Motorola Brazil’s website. Since this version is a higher-end model, you’ll have to shell out a bit more for it. The new model is now being sold for R$ 899, which is roughly $335 USD.
Other than those two changes, the device still keeps the same 5-inch 720p display, 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, MicroSD expansion up to 32GB, an 8MP rear-facing camera and a 2MP front-facing camera. For more information on the Moto G (2014), check out our full review.
Motorola definitely made a smart decision to release a 4G variant of one of their most popular handsets. The original Moto G has already sold really well in Brazil thanks to its cheap price point. And with the addition of LTE capabilities and a bigger battery, we wouldn’t doubt it if this variant sold better than the first one.
This release comes soon after Motorola announced that the Moto G (1st and 2nd Gen.) in India would get the update to Android 5.0 Lollipop, as well as the 2nd Generation Moto G in the US. If you live in Brazil and are thinking about picking up this new model, it will likely be running Lollipop out of the box. If you’re still on KitKat, however, you’ll need to head to Settings>About phone>System updates to update manually.
If you’re looking to pick one up, head to the Motorola link below to grab your very own Moto G (2014) LTE. Anyone out there interested in this handset? Let us know in the comments!
AOL Reportedly Shutting Down TUAW Next Week in Larger Restructuring Move
AOL will soon be shutting down The Unofficial Apple Weblog, a long-running Apple blog better known as TUAW, according to The Verge. TUAW will reportedly close next Monday, February 2, just a few months after celebrating its tenth anniversary. The website currently has 11 staff on its editorial team.
TUAW has been providing Apple news, reviews, how-tos and other content about the Cupertino-based company since December 2004. AOL gained ownership of the website through its acquisition of Weblogs Inc. in 2005. The company has three other flagship media properties in The Huffington Post, TechCrunch and Engadget.
The expected closure is part of larger restructuring plans at AOL that will also see long-running gaming website Joystiq shut down. TechCrunch reports that AOL will be laying off about 150 people, mainly in sales, and merging TUAW’s Apple-related content and Joystiq into larger technology website Engadget. The majority of the layoffs will be the result of AOL shifting to more programmatic advertising.
AOL’s restructuring plans are largely unsurprising given CEO Tim Armstrong’s comments during the company’s fourth quarter earnings call in November:
“As we look out to 2015, our strategy and decisions will be driven by the following organizing principles,” said Armstrong. “Number one, we’ll focus our capital allocation resource management and management time against scaled assets and platforms. Two, we will organize our asset portfolio around scaled value and scaled growth assets. Three, we’ll simplify everything that can be simplified.”
The impending closure of TUAW arrives not long after media company IDG announced in September that it was discontinuing the print edition of Macworld Magazine and focusing on its web-based publication. MacUser also stopped producing its computer magazine in the United Kingdom earlier this month after thirty years of operations.
HTC to miss Android Lollipop update for flagship devices
This weekend was supposed to be the deadline for HTC to update the HTC One (M8) and HTC One (M7) with Android Lollipop. However, Mo Versi with HTC has issued a statement via the HTC web site to let owners of carrier versions of those devices know the update is not going to happen. Versi indicates HTC decided to opt for ensuring the “rollout is right” even if it means missing the target date of 90 days after Google released the code.
In the statement, Versi indicates part of the problem has been on Google’s end as they work to “address several issues with this release” referring to Lollipop. HTC points out that the Google Play, Unlocked, and Developer Edition of the HTC One (M8) have received the Lollipop update already. However, other versions such as those sold by the carriers are still not ready. Versi says that if the update does not “result in an even better experience with your device” it would defeat the purpose of the update.
HTC has not issued a revised timeline for the update to be available for the affected versions. They invite owners of the impacted devices to continue to watch their Software Updates page and their @HTCUSA Twitter account for updates.
source: HTC
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TYLT promo knocks $25 off Energi Power Cases for your iPhone 5 or 5s
For those of you looking to inject a little more juice into your iPhone 5 or 5s, TYLT has announced a new promotion that knocks $25 off both the normal and sliding varieties of its Energi Power Cases. With the cases regularly priced at $60 for the base version and $100 for the sliding one, this marks a fairly substantial discount.
If you’re not familiar with TYLT, the company makes loads of mobile device accessories (a couple of which we’ve reviewed) from car chargers to sync cables and cases. Among those accessories is its line of Energi Power Cases for the iPhone, as well as a couple of Android devices, which provide a pretty good amount of extra battery life in a slim, stylish form factor.
The promotion lasts from today, January 30, through February 14. All you’ll have to do is enter the promo code “FEBSLIDER” when purchasing from the source link below to knock off $25. Unfortunately, TYLT’s latest iPhone 6 offering isn’t a part of the promotion.
Source: TYLT
Google makes Earth Pro available to virtual travelers for free
While we’re sure Google Earth works just fine for your daily virtual ’round-the-world travels, the Pro version comes with some really useful features — even better, it’s now completely free. Google Earth Pro, which used to cost an eye-watering $399 per year, gives you the tools to measure 3D buildings and other locations, print high-resolution screenshots, view demographic and traffic layers, and even record your virtual trips. To use it for free, you’ll first need to sign up for a license and make sure your PC or Mac meets the minimum system requirements needed to run the program.
Windows computers should be running XP or higher, and have at least 500MB of free storage and 512MB of RAM. Macs, on the other hand, have to run OS 10.6 or higher, along with the same storage and memory requirements. After that, you can download Google Earth Pro to plan for that hike you’ve always wanted to do or, you know, to take your armchair adventures to the next level — we ain’t judging.
Source: Google Maps Blog
Dead Zebra debuts Skeledroid and Hoops Fanatic figurines
Late Friday, Dead Zebra began to announce the figurines that would compose Android Mini Collectible Series 05. New figurines have been unveiled since then. Skeledroid, which is seen above, was introduced yesterday. Scott Tolleson crafted this figurine with a hand-painted custom design. The Skeledroid figurine looks like a beautiful piece of work.
Hit the break for more.
The next figurine, Hoops Fanatic, comes from Gary Ham. The face of Hoops Fanatic is covered with a basketball. Fittingly, Hoops Fanatic has on an Android jersey and foam finger to support his allegiance to the operating system. The jersey reads “Hambell” which is in honor of Ham himself and Andrew Bell, the man behind Dead Zebra.
Here is a recap of the previous Android Mini Collectibles Series 05 figurines:
The Dead Zebra Shop will have inventory in-stock next week and we will let you know when exactly the figurines will be available.
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Deal Alert: Grab an unlocked 32GB LG G Flex for $230 from Ebay
LG has recently released the G Flex 2, the company’s second generation smartphone with a curved screen. Even though the second generation has already launched, that doesn’t diminish the quality of the original G Flex at all. If you’re looking to get your hands on the first generation device without breaking the bank, Ebay is currently selling a 32GB G Flex in Titan Silver for $229.99. This particular device is AT&T unlocked and carries the model number D950, so it will work on either AT&T or T-Mobile’s network. If you take advantage of this deal, the seller is throwing in free shipping with your order. Considering the price of the original 32GB G Flex is somewhere upwards of $300, this is quite a steal.
The LG G Flex has a 6-inch curved P-OLED display with 720 x 1280 resolution, a 2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP rear-facing camera and a 2.1MP front-facing camera. The G Flex was one of the first LG devices to feature a rear-mounted volume rocker and power/standby key. For those who are nervous about trying out the button layout, don’t be. Most users who come in contact with this device for more than a few days get used to the button layout very quickly. What’s more, the curved screen allows for a great in-hand feel and sits perfectly to your face while talking on the phone. If you’d like some more info on this device, check out our full review.
This deal likely won’t last long, so head to the Ebay link below to pick one up for yourself!
Buy the unlocked 32GB LG G Flex for $230 from Ebay
Buyer’s Guide: Deals on iMac, Retina MacBook Pro, Apple Accessories, and More [iOS Blog]
Deals have been a bit sparse in recent weeks following the holidays, but we expect things to pick up somewhat in February and March now that we’re solidly into the new year.
There are a few deals to be had this week on the non-Retina iMac, older now-discontinued iPad Air and iPad mini 2 models, and the Retina MacBook Pro. We’ve also got some discounted Apple-related accessories and a selection of discounted apps.
Retina iMac
There are no particularly good deals on the Retina iMac from third-party resellers this week, but prospective buyers can get a good deal from Apple’s online refurbished store, which has a variety of Retina iMacs available at discounted prices.
All of Apple’s refurbished machines come with a 1 year warranty, but stock fluctuates often, so potential buyers may need to wait for a desired machine to show up in the store.
Non-Retina iMac
– 21.5-inch 2.7GHz/8GB/1TB (Best Buy) (B&H Photo)- $1,179, $120 off
– 21.5-inch 2.9GHz/8GB/1TB (Best Buy) (B&H Photo) – $1,399, $100 off
– 27-inch 3.2GHz/8GB/1TB (Best Buy) (B&H Photo) – $1,659.99, $139 off
– 27-inch 3.4GHz/8GB/1TB (Amazon) (B&H Photo) – $1,899, $100 off
MacBook Air
– 11-inch 1.4GHz/4GB/128GB (B&H Photo) – $854, $45 off
– 11-inch 1.4GHz/4GB/256GB (B&H Photo) – $999, $100 off
– 13-inch 1.4GHz/4GB/128GB (B&H Photo) – $919, $80 off
Retina MacBook Pro
– 13-inch 2.6GHz/8GB/128GB (B&H Photo) (MacMall)- $1,199, $100 off
– 13-inch 2.6GHz/8GB/256GB (MacMall) (B&H Photo) – $1,399, $100 off
– 13-inch 2.8GHz/8GB/512GB (Amazon) (B&H Photo) – $1,599, $200 off
– 15-inch 2.2GHz/16GB/256GB (B&H Photo) (MacMall) – $1,889.99, $99 off
– 15-inch 2.5GHz/16GB/512GB – (Amazon) (B&H Photo) – $2,319.99, $179 off
iPads
We don’t recommend buying an iPad Air 2 or Retina iPad mini 3 this week if you can help it because there are no sales going on, but Best Buy is still offering now-discontinued higher-capacity Cellular versions of the iPad Air and the iPad mini 2 at discounted prices up to $130 off the standard price.
– iPad Air Cellular Silver 64GB (AT&T) – $499.99
– iPad Air Cellular Space Gray 64GB (AT&T) – $499.99
– iPad Air Cellular Silver 128GB (AT&T) – $599.99
– iPad Air Cellular Space Gray 128GB (AT&T) – $599.99
– iPad mini 2 Cellular AT&T Silver 64GB – $399.99
– iPad mini 2 Cellular AT&T Space Gray 64GB – $399.99
– iPad mini 2 Cellular AT&T Space Gray 128GB – $499.99
– iPad mini 2 Cellular AT&T Silver 128GB – $499.99
Apps
Apple is running a “Get Productive” promotion in its Mac and iOS App Stores, and as a result, dozens of popular productivity apps are being offered at discounted prices of up to 75 percent off.
Apple’s App of the Week is ProCam 2, a camera and photo editing app that is normally priced at $1.99. [Direct Link]
Other games and apps temporarily available for free include DragonLair, Axe in Face, Zero Age, Fur and Feathers, and Time Surfer. Even more discounted and free apps can be found over at our sister site, AppShopper.
Apple Accessories
The Harman Kardon Go + Play II Speaker Dock for the iPhone is available for $179, down from $349, from Harman Audio. The current-generation Apple TV is available for $87.99 from Groupon, down from its original price of $99.
Scosche earphones are available for $18.99 from Groupon, down from their original price of $79.99. Groupon is also selling the Beats Pill 2.0 for $159.99, $40 off the regular price.
The myCharge Hub 6000 Portable Battery is available for $69.99 from Best Buy, $30 off its regular price. Best Buy is also selling the 32GB Mophie Space Pack for the iPhone 5/5s for $129.99, down from its regular price of $179.99.
Monoprice is offering 25% off select Apple accessories using the promo code 25APPLE through 1/31. The ZAGG iPad mini Folio Keyboard Case is available for $29 from Daily Steals, $50 off the regular price.
MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors.
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