NVIDIA Shield is the world’s first 4K Android TV
At Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang announced the chip vendor’s latest hardware effort, the Shield, the world’s first 4K Android TV console.The Shield comes with an H.265 decoder that can handle 4K at 60Hz with 10-bit video processing. Another highlight is the ability to search for content on the PLay Store using voice.
Deal: Moto X (2014) Pure Edition and Tracks Air headphones bundle is $250 off from Motorola
If you’ve been on the fence as to whether or not you should buy a Moto X, now may be a good time to decide. Motorola is offering a $250 discount when you buy a Moto X (2014) Pure Edition and a pair of TRACKS AIR by SOL REPUBLIC Bluetooth Headphones directly from Motorola’s website before March 10th.
The 16GB Moto X Pure Edition, customized with MotoMaker, is normally $499.99, and the TRACKS AIR Bluetooth Headphones are normally $199.95 by themselves. So, assuming you’re looking at the 16GB model, you can score both the phone and the headphones for only $449.94. Looking at it from a different way, you’re saving $50 on a Moto X Pure Edition and receiving a $200 pair of headphones for free. Especially if you’re in the market for a new off-contract phone, that’s not a bad deal at all.
If you’re not so keen on the newly-announced Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge or HTC One M9, the Moto X (2014) will score you a 5.2-inch 1080p AMOLED display, a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM and a 13MP rear-facing camera. You’ll also get a bevy of handy Motorola software features like Moto Display, Moto Voice, Moto Assist and a handful of others. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this deal, head to the source link below.
If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, are you interested in the Moto X deal? Or are you waiting for the new Samsung or HTC devices to go on sale?
Uber buys a mapping company to give you better ride estimates
Uber wouldn’t be where it is without good ride estimates, and it’s clearer than ever that the company knows this. The app-based transportation outfit just bought deCarta (its first ever public acquisition), a firm that specializes in mapping, navigation and local search. As a spokesperson tells Mashable, this is a bid to “fine-tune” any feature that depends on maps — Uber wants better arrival time calculations, more effective carpooling routes and similar upgrades. Of course, it’s probably also relevant that those features are currently powered by Uber investor/frenemy Google. The improvements will only take place behind the scenes, but don’t be surprised if the Uber app’s future ETA predictions are uncannily accurate.
[Image credit: Getty Images]
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Mashable
Google will call its MVNO carrier ‘Google LTE-A’
On Monday, Sundar Pichai confirmed that Google is indeed developing its own MVNO carrier. We have learned today that the service, backed by existing wireless carriers, will be called Google LTE-A. The company launched a Twitter account for the MVNO carrier and that exposed the name and the image seen above. It is rather generic; however. Google likely wanted to keep things as simple as possible for consumers.
The following was the description provided by Google before being removed:
With @googlefiber, LTE-A will be the next generation cellular network, brought to you by @google.
Source: @GoogleLTE
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Prepare for Google Contacts to be refreshed on the web
Many of the services that Google operates have been given a new look over the last few months. Providing users with the same look across different services allows for easier use and, of course, it looks great. An area that has seriously lacked for Google is Google Contacts. Finally, Google has redesigned Contacts on the web to feature contacts, circles, and frequently contacted people.
Hit the break for the a list of the new features:
- Easily get rid of duplicates: Identify duplicate contacts and the dismiss, merge, or remove them
- Keep your contacts up to date automatically: All contact information offered at a glance with an option to edit
- See your recent emails & meetings: Collect information from recent emails and meetings to attach with a contact
The new Google Contacts can be explored by clicking here.
Source: Official Gmail Blog
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Google putting Chrome on Ice Cream Sandwich in the freezer
Citing the movement of users to newer versions of Android and the increasing complexity to support older devices, Google’s Chrome team announced today they will bring development of updates for the Chrome browser on Ice Cream Sandwich to a halt. The change in status for the browser will take place with Chrome’s 42nd release after which the browser will be put in the virtual deep freeze on Ice Cream Sandwich. Users will be able to continue to use Chrome on their devices, but there will be no more updates.
Google software engineer Aurimas Lutikas noted that since Chrome was first made available on Android 4.0, there have been three new versions of Android released including Jellybean, KitKat and now Lollipop. During that same period of time, there have been 24 new releases of Chrome. As users replace smartphones with newer devices running newer versions of Android or upgrade their devices, the number of users with Ice Cream Sandwich has dropped by thirty percent in just the first year. This shrinking base makes it hard to justify continued development and support for older devices instead of building new features and capabilities used by the majority of users.
source: Chromium Blog
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Apple Watch Wins Renowned iF Design Award Before Release [iOS Blog]
While Apple Watch could be more than a month away from a public release, it has won a 2015 iF Gold Award from the International Forum (iF) Design in its annual industrial design competition. The jury called the Apple Watch design “an icon”.
The idea of combining classic materials such as leather and metal with state-of-the-art technology to create a very individual fashion accessory has resulted in a delightful product offering a holistic user experience. The Apple Watch scores highly for each design detail and is an altogether extraordinary piece of design. For us, it is already an icon.
Apple Watch was one of only two telecommunication products out of 64 recipients to earn the “Gold” designation. Out of the 1,624 products recognized, only 75 of them received a Gold Award.
The iF has been hosting its renowned design awards since 1953, and its jury evaluates products on a set of criteria that includes workmanship, choice of materials, environmental friendliness, design quality, safety, brand value, ergonomics, workmanship, degree of innovation and functionality.
Apple has won a number of iF Design Awards, for major products like iPhone 6, iPad Air and iMac to accessories like EarPods and Apple Keyboard. In total, Apple has won 118 iF Design Awards, but only 44 have earned a “Gold” designation, with Apple Watch being the most recent.
The design of Apple Watch is one aspect of the device that Apple has been marketing thus far, with design chief Jony Ive talking about the challenge of designing the smart watch and it appearing on fashion magazines in both interior multi-page spreads and cover features.
Apple will provide more information about the Apple Watch at its March 9 media event.
Sony announces Theme Creator for Xperia devices
Today, Sony announced a new project that will allow Xperia device owners to create their own themes. The project, which is currently available in beta form, is called Theme Creator and hands users control of over three-hundred graphical system assets. These items include icons, buttons, colors, and assets.
Those interested can download and install the Theme Creator BETA, take advantage of Sony’s directions (or go alone), and have it operating on a device.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source: Sony
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Apple Watch wins iF Design Gold award ahead of April launch
The Apple Watch hasn’t even shipped yet, but it has already picked up the prestigious iF Gold award from the iF International Forum Design.
In a statement explaining its choice to award the Apple Watch with the Gold design award, the iF jury said the following:
The idea of combining classic materials such as leather and metal with state-of-the-art technology to create a very individual fashion accessory has resulted in a delightful product offering a holistic user experience. The Apple Watch scores highly for each design detail and is an altogether extraordinary piece of design. For us, it is already an icon.
Overall, out of a total number 1,624 recognized products over 52 categories, only 75 received the Gold designation.
The Apple Watch isn’t set to ship until April, but the wearable has already started popping up in magazine spreads from the likes of Vogue, Self Magazine, and Hong Kong-based publication East Touch. Apple is set to hold a “Spring Forward” event on March 9, where it’s expected we’ll get many more details concerning the Apple Watch’s release date and pricing.
Source: iF Design Awards; Via: 9to5Mac
Android 5.0 Lollipop rolls out to HTC One M8 on Verizon
Attention HTC One M8 owners on Verizon: it looks like it’s your turn to grab a piece of the Android 5.0 Lollipop action. According to the carrier’s support page, the update should be rolling out to devices now.
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