Handheld device knows when your high-end seafood dish is a little fishy
As much as we love the idea of fish police, stoically patrolling high-end restaurants, scanning plates of food and shouting “That is NOT real fugu, good sir,” that’s (sadly) not how this device works. Yes, this handheld machine called QuadPyre made by University of Florida researchers can detect if someone’s trying to pass off inferior fish as their more expensive counterparts. But at the moment, it can only detect if shady sellers are trying to pass off riffraff as grouper fish. See, local fishermen are apparently not capable of keeping up with grouper demand in the country, so the US has been importing metric tons from abroad.
It’s a bit complicated determining which fish are groupers and which aren’t, since there are 64 species under the umbrella term, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. Still, the machine can purify and identify a specimen’s RNA within 45 minutes (even if the sample’s already cooked), whereas older equipment take hours or even days to do so. QuadPyre will soon be commercialized and sold for $1,995 per unit — not cheap, but hey, any self-appointed fish police will have time to save up until a second version, capable of ID-ing more species, comes along.
Filed under: Science
iPhone innovation in the land of the dazzle-blind
Year after year Apple reports record profits and yet year after year “analysts” and “experts” frame the company as merely one step closer to its inevitable implosion and decline. Part of it is the problem is that they see Apple as continuously betting more and more, and each and every time they assume the odds against Apple increase. They don’t understand that Apple isn’t gambling but investing. They also don’t understand the model Apple uses for mainstream innovation and iteration. John Gruber, writing for Daring Fireball
Juan Pablo Vazquez Sampere, writing for Harvard Business Review, “We Shouldn’t Be Dazzled by Apple’s Earnings Report“:
But one thing has changed. Apple used to revolutionize industries, announcing record sales numbers because it had introduced a new technology, feature, or product that we had never imagined but that, when we saw it, we all instantly wanted. That Apple seems no longer present. In this instance, all Apple has done is copy a feature for its own best customers. While that’s very effective for today, it does not solve the problem of tomorrow for a company that competes on serial innovation.
That one feature he’s talking about is the larger display sizes for the iPhone 6. I’ll reiterate that Apple has never been a company that serially produced revolutionary product after revolutionary product. Their revolutions have been very few and far between: Apple II, Macintosh, iPod, iPhone. Everything else is constant iteration and refinement.
I’d go a step further. Apple was on the leading edge of command line PCs with the Apple II and graphical interface PCs with the Mac, but there were digital music players before the iPod and smartphones before the iPhone. Many of the features that are often considered revolutionary about those products existed, piecemeal, in other products.
That’s why Apple’s products are often dismissed as being unimaginative as soon as they’re announced: Nokia or LG did it all first. The innovation — or revolution — is often begrudgingly acknowledged only in hindsight, and only as a way to dismiss a newer product: The iPad is just a big iPhone.
It’s because Apple innovates by carefully curating the most compelling interactions and capabilities, packaging them perfectly, and making them accessible and attractive. Apple’s revolution is for the mainstream.
That’s the story of the post-second coming, and Apple’s done it over and over again. It’s what made the iPod the MP3 player, the iPhone the smartphone, the iPad the tablet, and may well make Apple Pay and the Apple Watch the mobile payment system and the smartwatch — even though Google Wallet and Galaxy Gear, among others, preceded them.
Then, after the innovation makes it available to anyone, the iteration makes it increasingly available to everyone.
That iteration happens by adding not only features but addressable markets. When AT&T became a limitation for the iPhone, Apple added Verizon. Recently they added China Mobile. When a 4-inch display became a limitation, Apple added 4.7- and 5.5-inch displays. When a 9.7-inch display became a limitation for the iPad, Apple added a 7.9-inch display. When consumer sales became a limitation, Apple added an IBM partnership.
With the iPod and Mac, Apple added different sizes, models, and price points. As one product begins to slow, another is positioned to take off. The iPod is on the decline but the iPhone is on the rise. The Mac and iPad relationship is more complicated, but likewise intertwined.
Apple is disrupting the conventional tenets of business even more than they are any particular product category in consumer electronics. There is something fascinating — in several ways unprecedented — going on with Apple right now. Rather than study it, understand it, describe it, and teach it, Sampere has chosen to deny that it’s happening.
John’s exactly right — Apple is offering value far beyond the cost of their products through design and integration, and it’s not just flummoxing the Semperes of the world, it’s flummoxing the Samsungs as well.
Spyware tries to lure gamers through fake in-game voice apps
Malware targeting gamers usually tends to revolve around the games themselves, such as fake copies of a hot new shooter or deceptive in-game items. Well, it looks like these attackers are mixing up their strategy: Malwarebytes Labs has found spyware spoofing an in-game voice chat app. At first, it steers you to a fake website offering Razer’s Comms software. If you’re eager enough to click the Windows download link, you instead get a script that tries to harvest your logins and other sensitive info. A cursory glance suggests that it’s (poorly) written by Russian cybercriminals renting their services.
It’s not clear how widespread this spyware is, and whether or not you might see others like it — we’ve reached out to security researchers to get a sense of its scale. However much of a threat it might be, the voice app scam makes it clear that digital thieves see the gaming world as a big enough target that even typically insipid companion utilities are now fair game.
[Image credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP]
Source: Malwarebytes
Endomondo, MyFitnessPal purchased by Under Armour
Two of the most popular health and fitness applications have been acquired by Under Armour. The sports clothing company has purchased both Endomondo and MyFitnessPal, expanding the Connected Fitness community to more than 120 million users around the world. Under Armour explains that the deal allows it to be in control of the world’s largest digital health and fitness community. Endomondo has 20 million registered users while MyFitnessPal’s exceeds 80 million registered users. It means that Under Armour’s acquisitions have caused the Connected Fitness community to grow by 500%.
Being that the service’s have such large amounts of users, Under Armour did not receive any sort of discount. The company paid $80 million for Endomondo and $475 million for MyFitnessPal. They will continue to operate in Copenhagen and San Francisco, respectively.
The acquisitions further prove that Under Armour is serious about its involvement in the mobile industry. Last month, Under Armour and HTC partnered to design products for the UA Record network. There is a possibility that we a see a fitness tracker built by HTC launch at MWC 2015 that is compatible with Under Armour’s network. Having Endomondo and MyFitnessPal will make Under Armour an even larger force in the digital health and fitness space.
Under Armour Acquires Endomondo and MyFitnessPal to Establish the World’s Largest Digital Health and Fitness Community
Brand will expand its Connected Fitness portfolio to include more than 120 million global users and advances mission to create the ultimate digital fitness community
Baltimore, MD (February 4, 2015) – Today, Under Armour (NYSE:UA), a global leader in sports performance and innovation, announced the acquisition of Endomondo and MyFitnessPal, establishing ownership of the world’s largest digital health and fitness community. These acquisitions, which supplement UA’s existing MapMyFitness and UA RECORD™ suite of applications, will further enable the brand to provide unparalleled health and fitness data and insight, in support of its universal mission to make all athletes better.
Powered by more than 80 million registered users, MyFitnessPal is the leading free resource for achieving and maintaining health and fitness goals, providing nutritional information for over five million foods and offering caloric data associated with hundreds of exercises, empowering its community to make better, more informed healthy-living decisions. MyFitnessPal will expand the current offerings from UA Connected Fitness™ to include comprehensive nutrition tools, allowing users to track calories, nutrition and exercise.
Meanwhile, Endomondo is an open fitness tracking platform and social fitness network connecting athletes throughout the world. Utilizing GPS and other advanced technologies, Endomondo provides users with the ability to map, record and share their workouts. Endomondo currently hosts 20 million registered users, approximately 80% of which are located outside of the U.S., providing immediate scale and increased international presence for the Under Armour Connected Fitness™ community.
“Under Armour’s demonstrated global leadership in health and fitness innovation is greatly enhanced with the addition of Endomondo and MyFitnessPal, as we continue to redefine and elevate the Connected Fitness experience for millions of people around the world,” said Kevin Plank, Chairman and CEO of Under Armour. “Similar to MapMyFitness, Endomondo and MyFitnessPal have established track records of unmatched equity, expertise and passion in the fitness and nutrition space, and they are ideal partners to enable Under Armour to provide data-driven, proactive solutions to help athletes of all levels lead healthier and more active lifestyles.”
With the acquisitions of Endomondo and MyFitnessPal, Under Armour continues to strengthen its position at the forefront of the connected fitness space and advances its goal of delivering game-changing solutions to how athletes and fitness-minded individuals train, perform and live.
Combined with the growth of MapMyFitness, these acquisitions will expand Under Armour’s Connected Fitness community to include more than 120 million registered users.
“At MyFitnessPal, user success is our true North,” said Mike Lee, Co-founder and CEO of MyFitnessPal. “Under Armour will bring vast health and fitness expertise and resources to our 80 million users to help guide them as they work to achieve their health goals.”
“Endomondo has built an engaged global community of fitness enthusiasts, providing a strong technical platform for our users, while adhering to our core belief that social interaction and support are key motivators when it comes to getting fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” said Mette Lykke, Endomondo Co-Founder and CEO. “We share in Under Armour’s passion for innovation, as well as its mission to make athletes better, and we look forward to better serving the needs of athletes around the world.”
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Under Armour, Endomondo will continue to operate out of its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark. Following the anticipated closing of the acquisition in the first quarter of 2015, MyFitnessPal will continue to operate out of its headquarters in San Francisco, CA.
For additional details on the acquisition, see related press release titled, “Under Amour Reports Full Year Net Revenues Growth of 32%; Announces Creation of World’s Largest Digital Health and Fitness Community.”
Under Armour was advised by Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the law firm King & Spalding LLP in connection with both acquisitions, as well as the law firm Kromann Reumert in connection with the acquisition of Endomondo. Endomondo was advised by the investment banking firm Mooreland Partners and the law firm Mazanti-Andersen Korsø Jensen. MyFitnessPal was advised by the investment banking firm Qatalyst Partners and the law firm Fenwick & West LLP.
About Under Armour, Inc.
Under Armour (NYSE: UA), the originator of performance footwear, apparel and accessories, revolutionized how athletes across the world dress. Designed to make all athletes better, the brand’s innovative products are sold worldwide to athletes at all levels. Under Armour’s wholly owned subsidiary, MapMyFitness, powers one of the world’s largest Connected Fitness communities. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.uabiz.com.About MyFitnessPal
With over 80 million users, MyFitnessPal has helped millions of people achieve and maintain a healthier and happier lifestyle. With a database of over 5 million foods and hundreds of exercises, top fitness technology partners and community insights, MyFitnessPal is the leading free resource for achieving and maintaining health goals. MyFitnessPal is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. For more inspiration, visit www.myfitnesspal.com.About Endomondo
Founded in 2007, Endomondo’s social fitness network and popular Endomondo Sports Tracker mobile app help turn a smartphone into a personal trainer and social motivator. Now with 20 million registered users around the globe, Endomondo lets people track workouts, analyze performance, and support each other so people become and stay active. For more information, visit www.endomondo.com.
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Sprint marks February 5 for Lollipop’s arrival on the Samsung Galaxy S 5
The HTC One (M7) on Sprint is not the carrier’s only device receiving a software update this week. Tomorrow, the Samsung Galaxy S 5 will also receive a software update moving it away from KitKat and into Lollipop. On its own site, Samsung revealed that February 5 would be the start of the software update’s rollout on the Galaxy S 5.
Here is the changelog provided by Samsung:
- Android OS updated to v5.0 Lollipop
- Enhanced VoWiFi UI
- Lumen toolbar removed
Let us know in the comments when you receive the software update.
Source: Samsung
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Having trouble reading notifications? Take a look at BIG Notifications
For most people, vision will deteriorate with age. Others just have naturally poor vision. That is why apps like BIG Notifications, while perhaps serving a smaller audience, are so important. BIG Notifications does exactly what the name suggests: magnifies items in the notification tray to make for increased legibility. An Enlarge notifications banner stays in the notification tray and tapping it switches over to the BIG Notifications view. Everything that was seen before is still present, only the font size was changed. Also, an option to clear all notifications is available rather than missing the dedication button. The paid version of BIG Notifications adds configurations and features such as TalkBack screen reader support and varying text sizes.
To use BIG Notifications, a device with at least Android 4.3 is required.
Hit the break for the gallery and download links.
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Google Search now bundling all social media profiles into one section
The next time you cue Google Search to learn about a company or musician, pay attention to the results. The search engine now includes a Profiles section for all social media profiles that company or musician has. Services included in this new section are Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Myspace. So it makes things much easier than hopping between apps to find each account. Just perform a search and tap the link to each service.
Hit the break to see a GIF of the feature at work.
Source: +Google
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Samsung to Produce A9 Chips for Apple’s Next-Generation Devices
Longtime Apple rival and supplier Samsung will be responsible for manufacturing the A9 chips for Apple’s next-generation iPhone and iPad, Re/code confirmed today. Over the past several months, there’s been a lot of confusion over whether Samsung or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) would produce Apple’s A9 chips, but recent rumors suggest that Samsung’s technological advances have put it ahead of TSMC.
Apple signed a chip production deal with TSMC back in 2013 with the hopes of diversifying its supply chain sources and reducing its reliance on Samsung because of ongoing legal battles, but it has been unable to break away from Samsung for its A-series processors. Both TSMC and Samsung produced 20-nanometer A8 and A8X processors for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014, though TSMC handled the bulk of the orders.
20-nanometer A8 chip in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, via Chipworks
At a time when Samsung’s mobile division is seeing profit loss due to flagging sales, the company’s semiconductor business has helped to balance out some of the losses with continued growth. During the last quarter, Samsung’s chip division earned 2.7 trillion won, making supplier relationships like the one that it has with Apple highly important to the company.
Samsung is reportedly already manufacturing A9 chips for Apple, built on its 14-nanometer chip process that has outpaced TSMC’s production capabilities. As detailed by Re/code, the 14-nanometer process will result in smaller chips that use less power.
That’s because Samsung holds a technological edge over TSMC when it comes to the latest manufacturing process. Samsung has managed to shrink the size of the transistors on its chips to 14 nanometers — effectively packing more processing power into a smaller space and consuming less power. TSMC is still at 20 nanometers.
Samsung has not confirmed that it is producing chips for Apple, but Samsung semiconductor president Dr. Kinam Kim said in October that Samsung is expecting chip profits to grow over the coming year thanks to demand for its 14-nanometer chips.
Little is known about Apple’s next-generation iPhone, but based on past releases and upgrade cycles, the new smartphones will use A9 chips and may feature updates to the camera. Rumors have also suggested that Apple may be planning to incorporate an A9 chip into its “iPad Pro,” which may debut in the second or third quarter of 2014, and the A9 in some form will undoubtedly also make an appearance in 2015 iPad Air/mini upgrades.
Apple Working on New Beats Music Service Integrated into OS X and iOS, Available on Android
Apple is working on a new Beats-based paid music streaming service that will be deeply integrated into iTunes on Mac and the stock Music app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, according to 9to5Mac. The report claims that the Apple-designed streaming service will also be available for Android and through a new Apple TV app in the works.
“Based heavily upon cloud streaming, Apple’s new service is centered around the user’s music library. A new search feature will be able to locate any song in the iTunes/Beats catalog, and users will be able to stream music from the catalog as well as add songs to their personal libraries. Users will be able to select specific tracks to store on their iOS devices and/or computers, or keep all songs solely in the cloud. Apple will also deeply integrate Beats Music’s Playlists, Activities, and Mixes features into the new service, letting users access a vast array of pre-made, human-curated playlists to fit various activities.”
The report adds that Beats Music users will be able to merge their existing account with an iTunes/Apple ID account for seamless transition to the new service. The app’s design will shift away from the traditional red and black branding of Beats and feature a user interface that resembles the look and feel of iTunes and the stock Music app on iOS. New social features will also be included for sharing music and playlists with friends.
Apple’s new subscription-based service is expected to cost $7.99 per month, cheaper than the $9.99 per month charged by Beats Music and competing services such as Spotify, Rdio and Google Play Music. While the new Beats service will inevitably have some overlap with iTunes Radio, iTunes Match and the iTunes Store, the report claims that Apple will retain all three offerings.
While Beats Music is available for Android, this new service will mark the first time that Apple develops an Android app in house. Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously expressed that he does not have an issue developing an app for Android if the circumstances make sense, but this will be the first time the company actually delivers on that idea. Unlike Beats Music, however, no Windows Phone app will be offered.
Due to some personnel changes and other difficulties in the collaboration between Apple and Beats, which the iPhone maker acquired last year for $3 billion, the timeline for this new streaming service project remains in jeopardy. The report claims that while Apple originally planned to launch the service in March, sources claim that the company is now more likely to launch the service at WWDC in June.
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