Daily Roundup: Inventor of the PC, Left Shark imposters and more!
Dr. Mark Dean helped design the first PC during his career at IBM and shares his thoughts on the future of the desktop computer. Meanwhile, Katy Perry’s lawyers go after Left Shark imposters and students in Singapore make a 3D-printed solar powered car. Get all of today’s top stories in the Daily Roundup.
Mark Dean designed the first IBM PC while breaking racial barriers
Dr. Mark Dean, an African-American computer scientist and engineer, was chief engineer of the 12-person team that designed the original IBM PC in the early ’80s.
3D-printed Left Shark lands artist in hot water with Katy Perry’s lawyers
After watching the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, artist Fernado Sosa uploaded a 3D-printable model of the now infamous Left Shark to Shapeways. Katy Perry’s lawyers took exception to this and demanded the model be removed from the website.
Singapore students ‘print’ solar-powered city car
Engineering students from Nanyang Technological University have built a 3D-printed solar electric car prototype. The cockpit of the vehicle was constructed from 150 different parts and is Asia’s first 3D-printed concept car.
The first Ubuntu phone arrives next week, but there’s a catch
Canonical is almost ready to release its first Ubuntu phone. The company teamed up with Meizu and BQ last year and will be bringing a repurposed Aquaris E4.5 to market.
Canon’s 5Ds and 5Ds R have whopping 50.6-megapixel sensors
Canon announced two new flagship DSLR cameras. The 5Ds and 5Ds R each have 50.6-megapixel full-frame sensors and are intended for landscape and studio photographers.
Test for HIV in just 15 minutes with this $34 smartphone dongle
A dongle created by Columbia University researchers can turn any smartphone into an HIV and syphilis tester. Even better, it only takes 15 minutes and a tiny drop of blood to get a result.
Surprise! People don’t like Keurig’s DRM-protected coffeemakers
Keurig’s latest coffee makers employ DRM, making sure that its customers are forced to buy expensive coffee pods directly from them. Some third-party companies have found ways to get around this unpopular feature.
Select Best Buy stores to offer Samsung Gear VR demos on February 8th
Itching to try out a Samsung Gear VR before you spend $200? Best Buy may be the place to do so in a few days. Prior to the Gear VR’s Best Buy launch at brick-and-mortar stores around the US, the electronics retailer will have Gear VR demo units waiting to be tested on February 8th. Each “Samsung Experience Shop” inside select Best Buy locations will be given two Galaxy Note 4 handsets with Gear VR retail mode preinstalled on each device. Up to 100 stores across the US will get demo units, and you can find out which ones by following this link.
According to SamMobile, here are the rumored demos users can experience while testing the device:
- Milk VR: The user will be able to choose a video to watch
- TheBlu: If the user wants a game-like experience
- Transformers: If the user wants to experience a movie in virtual reality
- 360 Photos: Simply because 360-degree pictures are awesome
It’s no wonder Samsung wants to try to expand Gear VR to the masses. It’s a new technology, and with the exception of Best Buy’s online store, the headset has been sold out on AT&T and Samsung’s websites since its launch. Just remember, the Gear VR is only compatible with the Galaxy Note 4, so keep that in mind before you make the purchase.
If you want a sneak peek as to what your experience will be like, take a look at our hands-on demo at IFA last year.
OS X 10.10.3 Beta Adds Support for Google 2-Step Verification on Internet Accounts
In addition to a new Photos app and emoji improvements, yesterday’s developer release of the first OS X 10.10.3 beta also includes new direct support for Google’s 2-Step Verification when setting up Google services in the Internet Accounts section of System Preferences.
2-Step Verification is an optional security setting that requires users to enter not only their account password but also a unique code sent by Google via phone app, text message, or voice call to a previously registered device or phone number, greatly enhancing account security.
Not all devices and apps support Google’s 2-Step Verification, however, and as a backup Google also allows users to generate app-specific passwords to register a unique password for that device or app. The app-specific password can be revoked at any time by logging into the user’s Google account for another time, making it easy to disable access on a device that has been lost or stolen.
On OS X 10.10.2 and earlier, users setting up their machines to access Google accounts with 2-Step Verification enabled have had to use this app-specific password option. Users trying to log in with their standard Google account passwords are met with error messages informing them they need to use this option.
OS X 10.10.2 requiring an app-specific password for a Google account protected with 2-Step Verification
But as noticed by developer Jonathan Wight, the new OS X 10.10.3 beta now fully supports 2-Step Verification, allowing users to log in with their standard passwords and unique verification codes.
OS X 10.10.3 requesting verification code after logging in with standard password
The change makes logging in with 2-Step protected accounts much simpler and increases security by making sure the user attempting to log in has a secondary trusted device to provide the verification code.
(Thanks, Sean!)
Latest Google Maps update brings Local Guides feature to the app [APK Download]
Yesterday, Google introduced a new update to the Maps application with a feature known as Local Guides. Although the update has gradually begun rolling out on devices, a large majority of the users still haven’t seen it. But don’t worry, as we have the APK download link right here for you.
The Local Guides feature is the biggest addition to this version 9.4.0 update to the app. This is a system which lets you rate and review places that you frequent in order to help future visitors. This could be pretty effective for businesses as well. It’s pretty much like Yelp, but integrated directly within Google Maps.
Users can sign up to be one of the Local Guides in their area from Google’s sign-up page. Once you’re done, make sure you grab the new update from the link below. But make sure you enable the installation of apps from third party sources before you proceed.
Come comment on this article: Latest Google Maps update brings Local Guides feature to the app [APK Download]
Google is giving Chromecast owners $6 in Play Store credit
Do you own a Chromecast? Well, Google just gave you $6 to spend in the Play Store on movies, music and more. All you have to do is head over to the Chromecast Offers page and connect to your personal dongle. From there, you’ll be able to see the available offers, and one of those should be the aforementioned sum. Just don’t say the folks in Mountain View never gave you anything.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google
Via: Android Central
Source: Google
Minor update to the LG G3 finally brings Android Lollipop on-screen soft keys
Although the LG G3 has to be counted as one of the luckiest devices around considering it has had Android Lollipop for a few months already, my primary gripe with it (possibly because I am somewhat obsessive and compulsive) is that the on-screen soft keys are still the old, pre-Lollipop style with no option to update […]
The post Minor update to the LG G3 finally brings Android Lollipop on-screen soft keys appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
More details about the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Edge leak to help flesh out the devices
If you’re even mildly interested in Samsung‘s latest flagship device (or devices as it may be), this week has been a whirlwind of activity – leaked images and details have been coming from all corners of the web. Today, yet another Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Edge leak has been dropped and appears to flesh out the details […]
The post More details about the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Edge leak to help flesh out the devices appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
More details about the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Edge leak to help flesh out the devices
If you’re even mildly interested in Samsung‘s latest flagship device (or devices as it may be), this week has been a whirlwind of activity – leaked images and details have been coming from all corners of the web. Today, yet another Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Edge leak has been dropped and appears to flesh out the details […]
The post More details about the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Edge leak to help flesh out the devices appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Google is giving all Chromecast owners $6 Play Credit
Google is currently sending out a pretty generous gift to all owners of its Wi-Fi-enabled, thumb-sized streaming dongle — Chromecast. Users with a device registered to their Play Store account should now be able to redeem a $6 complimentary Credit bonus, which can be spent on either movies, TV shows, music, apps, games or books.
If you’ve never taken advantage of a Chromecast promotional offer before, Google has a website that provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to redeem the code. Prior to doing anything, though, you must ensure that you’re on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast, and that’s it’s turned on. Then, simply follow the instructions on the page, which can be accessed by clicking the source link below.
Source: Chromecast Offers
Come comment on this article: Google is giving all Chromecast owners $6 Play Credit
Stay safe with a 3-year subscription to Anonymizer Universal VPN for 77% off
Using a VPN (virtual private network) is one of the easiest and safest ways to secure sensitive data on a mobile device. If you’re looking to stay anonymous online with top-notch protection, we suggest trying out a subscription to Anonymizer Universal VPN. This VPN service is compatible with just about every mobile device out there, and the interface is super intuitive and easy to use.
Anonymizer Universal VPN will protect you against government oversight, hackers, unsecured public Wi-Fi, online activity logging and tracking. It will also mask your IP address and conceal your physical location while connecting to only Anonymizer-owned servers to ensure ultimate anonymity. Anonymizer Universal VPN doesn’t keep record of any of your online activity, and US-based support is offered 24/7.
Up to five different devices can be connected at one time. This VPN service is compatible with Android, ChromeOS, Mac (Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks and Yosemite), Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8), Linux and iOS 5.0 or greater.
Thanks to the Android Authority Deals Store, you can grab a 3-year subscription of this service for only $55… that’s 77% off of the suggest retail price. If you’re interested, head to the link below to take advantage of this deal!
AIVAnet 