Camera360 Sight update lets you call upon Cortana to take selfies
One of the most feature-filled camera apps on Windows Phone, Camera360 Sight, picked up an update today that introduces a neat trick if you’re one to take a lot of selfies. The app now supports Cortana voice commands, which means that you can use the phrase “Cortana, take a selfie” from within the app to take a photo from the front-facing shooter (or the rear camera) automatically.
Google makes it easier for Android users to view custom maps
A custom map you’ve created for a trip is only useful if you can access it when you need it. Thankfully, Google’s bringing back My Maps integration with Android, so it’s now easier to view your personalized files on mobile. As you might know, you can use My Maps to plan for hiking, canoeing or even for commuting or daily walks, as it lets you place markers on locations and draw lines or shapes to indicate routes. It also allows you to create layers for different kinds of content and even import geographic data, such as a place’s name and coordinates. To view your creations — or others who have shared theirs with you — just launch Google Maps on Android. The update has begun rolling out today, so keep an eye out if you’re planning for a road trip.
The White House and Google are quite chummy report says
With the FTC’s 2012 probe into Google‘s search practices all said and done, it became quite apparent that Mountain View has quite a bit of pull in the nation’s capital. A new report from The Wall Street Journal, high ranking Googler’s, including Mr. Eric Schmidt himself, met with White House officials to the tune of 230 different times across two terms.
If you’re doing the math, that’s about once a week for about four years. These meetings also happened around the time right before the commission and Google settled the antitrust lawsuit. While what exactly was discussed wasn’t shown in those meetings, the FTC insists that it maintains an independence as a regulatory agency. What the WSJ eludes to is that Google’s got some lobbying pull in Washington to defeat just such a major antitrust investigation.
The search giant has shown that it’s got influence and willing to spend money to do so. The company spent $16.8 million last year in lobbying efforts. In a related area, Megan Smith, Google’s former VP is now the US chief technology officer and a high tech adviser to the president.
As time progresses, these relationships and Google’s influence will be called into question and the report shows, that Google’s got the wallet to back it up.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Come comment on this article: The White House and Google are quite chummy report says
Weekly Photo Contest: Metals
When you think of the word “metal” your mind may instantly wander to big pieces of steel making up a bridge or a building, but metal comes in shapes, sizes and styles of all kinds. And of course multiple metals are often found working together in a bigger picture. This week’s photo contest is looking for pictures of metals together, and when you think about all of the places that metals show up in your life you realize there are a ridiculous number of photo opportunities this week.
Reported acquisition of big data analytics firm Acunu highlights Apple’s push to improve cloud services
Apple reportedly acquired U.K.-based big data analytics firm Acunu back in 2013, with the company’s tools said to bolster back-end data infrastructure for services such as iCloud.
News of Acunu’s acquisition comes on the heels of yesterday’s announcement that Apple acquired database software company FoundationDB, a move aimed at improving server-side technologies for Apple’s digital content distribution services such as the App Store and iTunes.
Acunu’s database technology was likely retooled to provide analytics for services such as iCloud, with Bloomberg stating:
Acunu produced technology to provide analytics on databases. Its technology can work with and improve other tools, like the free Cassandra database, which Apple runs on several thousand computers.
With an iTunes Radio revamp planned for later this year along with the launch of a new 25-channel TV streaming service, it is no wonder that Apple is focusing on improving the back-end architecture for its cloud-based services.
Source: Bloomberg
BT will offer cheap wireless 4G service to UK broadband customers
BT is one of the UK’s biggest broadband companies, but they left the consumer wireless market several years back. Today, they’ve announced they’ll be jumping back into the market with a very aggressive £5 plan for current broadband customers.
For non-broadband customers, the package jumps to £10 per month, which is still pretty affordable. It offers 200 minutes with 500 MB of 4G data, but both options are SIM-only deals. If you don’t have your own phone, you’ll have to shell out a little more to purchase one to use BT’s network.
BT is using some of its own wireless spectrum, plus some spectrum owned by EE, which BT is planning on buying. Between the wide amount of available spectrum between both companies and aggressive pricing, BT might have a winning combination on their hands.
source: BT
via: BBC
Come comment on this article: BT will offer cheap wireless 4G service to UK broadband customers
Apple Secretly Acquired Data Analytics Firm Acunu [Mac Blog]
Just a day after Apple acquired database company FoundationDB, Bloomberg reveals Apple had previously acquired U.K.-based data analytics company Acunu. The acquisition appeared to have happened in late 2013.
The purchase of the Vienna, Virginia-based software maker follows a deal for closely held Acunu Ltd., a U.K.-based data analysis company, Apple said.
Acunu creates technology that provides analytics on databases, and its technology can be used in conjunction with other tools, improving their performance. Bloomberg notes the company’s tools work well with free Cassandra databases, which Apple runs on several thousand computers.
It’s likely that the Acunu acquisition will be used for iCloud and its various services, like iTunes Radio, the upcoming reimagined Beats Music streaming service and Apple’s over-the-air TV service. Acunu Chief Technology Officer Tim Moreton began working in Apple’s iCloud division in December 2013, and other Acunu employees made the jump to the Cupertino company in early 2014.
Apple’s streaming music plans may include a revamped iTunes Radio, exclusive albums
Apple’s rumored music streaming plans may include a revamped iTunes Radio, as well as exclusive album launch deals for the upcoming service.
While a new report from The New York TImes largely focuses on a number of previously rumored details about Apple’s streaming music plans, it does point to some new details in the form of a revamped iTunes Radio headed up by former BBC Radio DJ and recent Apple hire, Zane Lowe. From The New York Times:
Mr. Lowe is expected to play a role reconfiguring iTunes Radio. Among the ideas that have been floated for iTunes Radio are a more geographically targeted approach that would bear some resemblance to a traditional radio station, with Mr. Lowe as the voice, music executives said.
Additionally, the report notes that former Beats Music exec Jimmy Iovine is heading up efforts to secure exclusive album releases for the service:
Mr. Iovine has set the tone of the transformation of Apple’s music plans, according to music executives. Mr. Iovine, who reports to Eddy Cue, Apple’s head of software and Internet services, has been leading aggressive talks to secure prominent album releases that will be exclusive to Apple, akin to what Beyoncé did when she released her self-titled album on iTunes in December 2013. One music executive involved in the negotiations described this part of the new iTunes as “Spotify with Jimmy juice.”
The report goes on to note that the streaming service, which is part of a larger redesign to the music app headed up by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, is currently being tested under a new version of iOS codenamed “Copper.” It’s unknown which upcoming version of iOS Copper refers to, but it was recently reported that the music service could debut as soon as WWDC with an iOS 8.4 update.
iPhone trade-in program reported to launch in China, Foxconn to buy and resell used devices
The program in China will reportedly involve Apple selling traded-in iPhones directly to Foxconn, who will then refurbish and resell the devices via its own channels.
According to Bloomberg:
Under the China program, retail staff at Apple outlets will assess an iPhone’s condition before offering store credit for those originally bought in Greater China, the person said. Foxconn will buy the phone directly without Apple ever taking ownership, according to the person.
Foxconn will repair the devices if needed and then sell them through its e-commerce sites eFeihu and FLNet, and through Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s Taobao online store, one person said. Foxconn also is in talks to sell the iPhones through physical stores and may take the trade-in program online in the future, the person said.
For now, the trade-in program in the country will reportedly be applicable only to iPhones, unlike other markets where Apple is said to roll out similar offers for Android smartphones.
The program is set to launch as early as March 31 in China, and is the latest of many initiatives targeted at expanding Apple’s presence in the region. Earlier this year, the Cupertino giant opened five new stores in the country.
Source: Bloomberg
Nyrius Smart Outlet review: transforming the ordinary
“Unlock Your Home’s Potential”
Currently being funded on Kickstarter, Nyrius Smart Outlet is a simple yet highly effective device that aims to turn your ordinary electronics and appliances into smart devices connected to your phone or tablet. It’s affordable at only $30, it’s easy to set up, and in many ways makes more sense than individual smart home devices, such as Hue and other “smart lights”. But does it work?
Within no time at all, I was able to plug Nyrius into a wall outlet and get started. The way it works is you plug any electronic into Nyrius, and with the Nyrius app installed on your Android or iPhone, you can toggle the electronic on and off with your phone (or tablet). For example, I plugged in a string of my living room ceiling lights into Nyrius, and was then able to toggle them on and off with the easy to use Nyrius app. While the app could definitely look a lot better, as it’s about as basic and ugly as an Android app could get, it gets the job done and will hopefully get a makeover in the future (the product is still in Kickstarter, anyway).
Nyrius claims that this device will save home owners money on their electric bill. While that’s debatable, I can absolutely see why they say that. The Smart Outlet has a couple nifty features besides simply being able to turn it on and off with the app. Near-field proximity control allows the Smart Outlet to automatically turn off if the owner is out of range. The actual range will vary from device to device, as it will turn off simply when you lose Bluetooth connection. This feature will surely be loved by those using Nyrius for lights and maybe music for parties and don’t have to worry about turning them off when they leave the house.
Another feature is the ability to set schedules for your Smart Outlets to activate and deactivate. Don’t have a super smart coffee maker that brews coffee when you wake up? Nyrius makes this possible, assuming you already have water and coffee grounds ready to go. This feature worked perfectly when I set my trusty desk lamp to turn off late at night after I fell asleep.
Nyrius is onto something with the Smart Outlet. Right now, this is the best option for those looking for smart home devices, but don’t want to fork over hundreds of dollars. I am happy with the fact that the Nyrius app supports control of 7 devices in your home, as I will definitely buy a couple more of these in the future.
The post Nyrius Smart Outlet review: transforming the ordinary appeared first on AndroidGuys.
AIVAnet 