Apple Watch Charges Begin Showing Up On Credit and Debit Cards
According to dozens tweets and emails received by MacRumors, Apple has just begun charging customers who pre-ordered the Apple Watch for their purchases. The charges suggest that early Apple Watch orders will soon shift from “Processing Items” to “Preparing for Shipment” as Apple gears up to begin sending devices to customers ahead of the Apple Watch’s Friday April 24 launch date.
As we shared earlier today, bulk shipments of the Apple Watch have already begun arriving at central distribution centers across the United States and are ready to begin heading to customers over the next few days. We haven’t seen word of shipments happening yet, but status changes should happen within the next few hours.
Apple Watch pre-orders began selling out within minutes as orders came up on April 10, but those who managed to place an order shortly after 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time will likely receive an April 24 delivery date. Even the earliest Apple Watch pre-orders offered delivery estimates of April 24 to May 8, but Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts suggested the first Apple Watch orders would arrive on April 24 in a memo shared with employees last week.
Customers who were not lucky enough to pre-order within the first few hours that the Apple Watch was available will likely be waiting for several more weeks to receive their devices, but Apple executives did tell one MacRumors reader that those orders could arrive sooner than expected as supplies ramp up. Apple Watch pre-orders placed today offer shipping estimates that range into June and beyond.
Apple Watch Order Statuses Shifting to ‘Preparing for Shipment’
Apple Watch order statuses have begun changing from “Processing Items” to “Preparing for Shipment” as Apple gets ready to send out the first Apple Watch orders to customers who pre-ordered their devices on Friday, April 10. Apple Watch orders that have changed to “Preparing for Shipment” are still listing prospective delivery dates of 4/24 to 5/8, but the first orders are expected to begin arriving on Friday April 24, the official launch date of the Apple Watch. Now that order statuses have shifted, customers should begin receiving shipment emails in the near future.
The change to customer order statuses comes just minutes after Apple began charging credit and debit cards for Apple Watch purchases. As we have previously mentioned, bulk shipments of the Apple Watch have already been arriving at central distribution centers across the United States from China, where the Apple Watch was manufactured. Apple Watch orders will ship out from these central distribution centers via Fedex and UPS, so despite the late shipping date, many devices will arrive on Friday.
With the iPhone 6, Apple also shipped hundreds of thousands of devices to central distribution centers before updating customers on the status of their orders. iPhones began shipping out on Monday and Tuesday for a Friday delivery, and it’s likely Apple Watch orders will follow the same general timeline.
Deliveries could come from any of the major shipping hubs in the United States, which include Memphis, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky (UPS’ WorldPort location); Indianapolis, Indiana; Newark, New Jersey; and Oakland, California. Many orders are likely to pass first through Anchorage, Alaska, where both UPS and FedEx have logistics centers, before heading out to other distribution sites.
The earliest Apple Watch pre-orders listed ambiguous delivery dates of 4/24 to 5/8, but Apple’s head of retail Angela Ahrendts stated in a memo to employees last week that “customers who pre-ordered will start receiving deliveries next Friday as planned,” so customers who managed to pre-order in the minutes before shipping dates started slipping will see deliveries this week.
Once an order changes to Preparing for Shipment, customers may be able to track by reference number using a phone number on the UPS and FedEx websites to get tracking information before a shipping email even goes out.
Toshiba’s humanoid retail robot is ready to greet you
If you happen to be shopping in Japan sometime soon, don’t be surprised if the first offer of help comes from a machine. Toshiba has just installed Aiko Chihira, a humanoid greeter robot, at Tokyo’s Mitsukoshi department store. The kimono-clad automaton will guide you around the shop while it blinks and smiles — at once helpful and, as you can see above, a little creepy. It can’t respond to questions yet (don’t yell at it over a faulty product), but it’s capable of handling both spoken and signed languages. No, Aiko isn’t as interactive or relentlessly adorable as SoftBank’s Pepper, but it’ll be a big time-saver if it prevents you from getting lost in the aisles.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi]
Filed under: Robots
Via: Reuters
Source: Toshiba (translated)
HBO is bringing Vimeo’s first original series to TV
If there was any doubt that conventional TV and the internet are blending together, HBO just erased it. The premium channel has picked up the third season of High Maintenance, the pot-fueled show (yes, the 4/20 announcement is convenient) that became Vimeo’s first original On Demand series. You’ll only see six new episodes in this production, but all of the existing 19 episodes will be available through HBO sometime later this year. Is Vimeo heartbroken? Not at all, if you ask CEO Kerry Trainor — it’ll continue to support the show, and this is an “incredible validation” that proves internet shows can hit the big time. There’s no mention of when the new season will air, but it’s clear that you’ll have more options for chronic-loving TV in the near future than reruns of Bored to Death and Showtime’s Weeds.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/110602645?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&badge=0
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
IKEA’s future kitchen tells you how to cook
For IKEA, your future kitchen shouldn’t just have the occasional smart appliance — it should be a technology hub. The furniture store’s Concept Kitchen 2025 includes tech and other helpful additions meant to save both time and resources, such a pantry with induction cooling (to preserve food longer) and a disposal system that automatically packs your recyclables. The highlight, however, is the Table For Living. It packs a camera-equipped projector that both shows recipes on its surface and recognizes ingredients, giving you an idea of what to make with what you have on hand. There’s an induction cooktop hidden in the table, too, so you wouldn’t have to run between counters to get that hot stew ready. This is just a vision rather than something you can actually buy, but all of IKEA’s technology is realistic enough that you could find some of it in your home within the next decade.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/120461844?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0
Filed under: Household
Source: Concept Kitchen 2025
Samsung Galaxy Tab A making its way to the U.S. on May 1st for $230
Samsung has just unveiled some additional availability information for the budget-friendly Galaxy Tab A series tablets. Starting Friday, May 1st, the 8.0-inch Galaxy Tab A will be available in the U.S. for $229.99 and the 9.7-inch variant will be available for $299.99. Both sizes are available for pre-order from Samsung’s website starting today, and come May 1st, you’ll be able to order both tablet sizes from other retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and HH Gregg. The tablets will be available in Smoky Titanium, White and Smoky Blue. There will also be a 9.7-inch Smoky Titanium variant bundled with an S Pen available on May 17th for $349.99.
Additionally, both sizes are now available for purchase in Canada in White and Titanium color options. The tablet will be available online and in Samsung Experience Stores from today in the country, and the 9.7-inch version will automatically be bundled with an S Pen.
First announced in Russia, the Galaxy Tab A series aims to offer users a smooth tablet experience without breaking the bank. Both the 8.0-inch and 9.7-inch tablets have a 4:3 aspect ratio, a display resolution of 1024×768 pixels, and measure just 7.5mm thin. Both tablets have a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB of internal memory with microSD card expansion up to 128GB, a 5MP rear-facing camera, a 2MP front-facing camera and a 4,200mAh battery. The 9.7 inch Galaxy Tab A also features two speakers at the bottom, while the 8-inch model only has one. Both tablets are also running Android 5.0 Lollipop.
For more availability information in Canada, check out the press release below. And if you’d like to pre-order the tablets in the United States, head to the source links at the bottom of this page.
The GALAXY Tab A offers a better viewing experience and greater productivity at home or on-the-go
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 20th 2015 – Samsung Electronics Canada, one of the leading suppliers of mobile technology in Canada, today announced the introduction of the new GALAXY Tab A, the go-to tablet for your family’s digital needs, delivering a feature-packed experience that’s great for viewing content and getting things done on-the-go. Designed to meet the changing demands of the today’s family, the GALAXY Tab A keeps everyone connected to what matters most to them, while including the leading edge features they’ve come to expect from a powerful Samsung tablet.
“The technology needs of Canadian families are changing,” said Paul Brannen, Executive Vice President Mobile Solutions, Samsung Electronics Canada. “The GALAXY Tab A enables families to share one device while experiencing a high level of personalization and a better viewing experience, all in a portable form factor, at the right price. I truly believe that this is the ultimate family solution.”
Whether you’re creating, consuming or connecting, the GALAXY Tab A has what you need, all packed into a lighter and thinner form factor running the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop software. Perfectly portable, the GALAXY Tab A is designed to simplify Canadians’ lives. Whether it’s safely letting children experience the digital world in Kids Mode, or having the ability to read night-time stories with Reading Mode, this tablet is ideal for the whole family.
Family-Friendly Features:
The ultimate family solution: Affordable and accessible, the GALAXY Tab A can accommodate every family member. With the Multi-User feature, families can create up to six profiles on a single device so that everyone can enjoy the GALAXY Tab A with their own personalized experience. Thanks to Kids Mode, kids can more safely access kid-friendly content, while giving parents the peace of mind of knowing their own files are better protected.
Better viewing experience: With the Tab A’s awesome 4:3 screen ratio, content fills the screen and appears larger. This means reading your favourite Next Issue* publications, viewing videos, browsing, emailing and social networking has never looked better. Additionally, Reading Mode adjusts the screen colour and brightness to reduce eye fatigue, making it easy to read on your device in any light.
Productivity at home or on-the-go: The GALAXY Tab A offers access to Microsoft Office for Android (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and the Multi-Window view allows for outstanding multitasking. If you’re on the go, Ultra Power Saving Mode extends the battery life by shutting down background apps. Additionally, the 9.7-inch Tab A comes with an S-Pen designed to make it easier to take notes, be creative and to select pictures, images, objects and text.
Product Availability: The GALAXY Tab A will be available from major retailers and at Samsung Experience Stores starting April 20th in either 8-inch or 9.7-inch (9.7 inch comes with S Pen) in White and Titanium. For more information check out: http://www.samsung.com/ca/galaxytaba.
Samsung GALAXY Tab A customers will receive a complimentary, three-month trial of Next Issue – Canada’s only all-you-can-read, digital subscription magazine service. In one easy-to-use tablet app, Next Issue delivers unlimited access to a comprehensive catalogue of more than 100 premium magazines including: Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Chatelaine, Time, FLARE, Vogue, GQ, People, Us Weekly, The New Yorker, Maclean’s, Esquire and HELLO! Canada, in addition to an extensive library of back issues. Beginning today, Next Issue also offers more than 20 Quebec-based French magazines. For more information, please visit http://www.nextissue.ca.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Canada inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances and printers. Samsung globally is a leader in the Internet of Things space through, among others, our Smart Home initiative. In 2014, Samsung was ranked one of top 10 most influential brands in Canada, based on a study by Ipsos Reid. Committed to making a difference in communities across Canada, its Samsung Hope for Children corporate giving program supports children’s education, sustainability and health-related issues. Globally, Samsung employs 307,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of $196 billion. To discover more, please visit http://www.samsung.com.
Newest Humble Bundle offers up 10 great titles from Tin Man Games
The latest Humble Mobile Bundle has just been announced, this time bringing you ten awesome gamebooks from developer Tin Man Games. Incorporating elements of the “choose your own adventure” genre and a standard RPG, all ten of these gamebooks feature in-depth storylines and addictive gameplay. Each one of these games are normally offered for upwards of $4 in the Google Play Store, so this Humble Bundle is definitely worth it.
If you’d like to pay whatever amount of money you’d like, you’ll get your hands on these four games:
- Judge Dredd: Countdown Sector 106
- Slaves of Rema
- Siege of the Necromancer
- An Assassin in Orlandes
To get the next four games, you’ll need to pay more than the average price (currently $5.80):
- Trial of the Clone
- Curse of the Assassin
- Fighting Fantasy: Caverns of the Snow Witch
- Sultans of Rema
These last two games can be yours if you pay over $9:
- Ryan North’s To Be or Not To Be
- Fighting Fantasy: Starship Traveller
As always, more games will be added within the next week, making this deal even more valuable. All of the games being offered are DRM-free and you can decide how your purchase is divided between Tin Man Games, charity and the Humble Bundle team. And if you spend $35 or more on this bundle, not only will you get the games listed above, but you’ll also receive a Tin Man Games t-shirt and button. Not bad at all!
Head to the source link below if you’re interested in checking out this bundle.
Samsung launches Galaxy A tablets in 8-inch and 9.7-inch options
The pair of tablets will go on sale starting from May 1
Samsung on Monday announced its latest tablet models, the 8-inch and 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab A line. Available for pre-order immediately, the tablets should land in retail locations on May 1.
Specifications for the two include a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB RAM, and 16GB and 32GB storage capacities. The rear offers a 5-megapixel camera while the front-facing shooters pack 2-megapixels. There are expansion card slots in the Galaxy Tab A which allow for up to 128GB additional storage.
“Multi Window allows for easy multitasking, and with Microsoft Office for Android you can review and save changes to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel on your tablet. Plus, with an additional 100 GB of storage on Microsoft OneDrive, complimentary for two years, you can keep all of your favorite photos, videos and documents in one place. “
The Galaxy Tab A features a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution at both sizes; the 8-inch Galaxy Tab A will retail for $229.99 while the 9.7-inch version runs $299.99.
Both will be sold in White, Smoky Titanium, and Smoky Blue color options. An optional version of the 9.7-inch experience can be had with an S-Pen stylus for $349.99
Press Release
Connect to All You Need with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A
Newest Galaxy Tablet Series connects you to your Galaxy and beyond
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Samsung) today announced the introduction of the new Galaxy Tab A™, delivering an assortment of benefits to better connect with people, entertainment, work and more. Featuring an extremely thin design, the Galaxy Tab A™ is a lightweight portable tablet for everyone in the family.
“This latest addition includes some of the best features of the Samsung Galaxy Tab series, while streamlining connectivity,” said Gary Riding, senior vice president, Mobile Computing at Samsung Electronics America. “The tablet will let users connect to everything that matters, from family members, friends and colleagues, to work and entertainment content, as well as other smart Samsung devices.”
The Galaxy Tab A™ is designed to fit seamlessly into your life through useful features, from letting kids learn in Kids Mode*, a fun and safe environment, to providing a personalized tablet experience in Multi User Mode. The Galaxy Tab A™ is the perfect fit for every member of your family both young and young-at-heart. Additionally, the tablet’s 4:3 aspect ratio and Adaptive Display ensures the optimal viewing experience, automatically adjusting color gamut, contrast and sharpness to content on the screen — making it a great tablet for reading, watching a movie or surfing the internet.
For those looking to create and connect with more, the Galaxy Tab A™ lets you do so with ease through a range of features. Multi Window allows for easy multitasking, and with Microsoft Office for Android you can review and save changes to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel on your tablet. Plus, with an additional 100 GB of storage on Microsoft OneDrive™, complimentary for two years, you can keep all of your favorite photos, videos and documents in one place. The Galaxy Tab A™ also comes loaded with a variety of Galaxy Essentials and Galaxy Gifts from the world’s leading premium mobile content and service providers, available for free via download and chosen to make your experience with the device even more enjoyable. Additionally, Samsung’s Milk Music™, a streaming radio service that’s an instant and fun way to discover and play the music you want to hear, will come pre-loaded on the tablet.
Featuring a range of tools such as Quick Connect, SideSync® 4.0 and Smart Switch, the Galaxy Tab A™ makes it easier than ever to share your content across most Galaxy devices, while connecting and controlling your Samsung ecosystem.
Available for pre-order from major retailers and at Samsung.com starting today, Galaxy Tab A™ will be in stores nationwide, including Best Buy, HH Gregg and Amazon starting on May 1. Consumers will have the choice between the 8.0-inch Galaxy Tab A™ at $229.99 and the 9.7-inch version at $299.99 – both offered in White, Smoky Titanium and Smoky Blue. Additionally, a 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab A™version in Smoky Titanium will include an S-Pen for $349.99 and will be available for sale starting May 17.
For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
The post Samsung launches Galaxy A tablets in 8-inch and 9.7-inch options appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Camera samples of the LG G4 emerge, look pretty impressive
The LG G4 is expected to break cover on April 28 as the company’s teasers have revealed. But it seems like the smartphone will be revealed bit by bit before its official unveiling later this month.
Today, we’re getting an idea of what the G4’s camera is capable of courtesy of a few sample shots and a promo video published by the company.
From the sample image available, it is quite clear what the f/1.8 sensor on the smartphone can do. In what appears to be a major shift, LG is trying to target professional photographers with the camera here. The company has even hired a professional photographer to talk about the camera of the new flagship.
The sample image looks very impressive and we can’t wait to get our hands on the G4 to tell you more about its potential. LG is utilizing a 16-megapixel sensor with the G4, so it’s on level pegging with the Samsung Galaxy S6 which is currently touted to be the best Android phone available.
A little over a week ago, we came across a large collection of press images of the LG G4, showing the device in its entirety. So the handset is barely a secret ahead of its launch next Tuesday.
Come comment on this article: Camera samples of the LG G4 emerge, look pretty impressive
Apple Watch Brings Flight and Airline Apps to Your Wrist [iOS Blog]
Apple Watch will make the flying experience more convenient for both casual and frequent flyers, with a number of airlines updating their apps for the Apple Watch in recent weeks, or announcing support coming soon, including American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, JetBlue, British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, Qantas Airways, Air Canada, WestJet, Emirates and Japan Airlines.
Notable airlines that have not announced or planned Apple Watch support include Southwest Airlines and Virgin Airlines in the United States, and Cologne-based Lufthansa, the largest airline in Europe. As more airlines begin updating their apps for the Apple Watch, however, it is likely that others will follow in an effort to keep up with their competitors around the world.
The roundup below provides a closer look at Apple Watch apps for several airlines across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Ireland, United Arab Emirates and Japan. A handful of other general flight-related apps are also listed that provide general flight statuses, notifications, real-time departure and delay information and more for an easier traveling experience.
United States
American Airlines
American Airlines for Apple Watch provides comprehensive flight information on your wrist, including gate change announcements, an in-flight map with estimated travel time remaining until arrival, and baggage claim and connection details. You can also receive a notification when it’s time to leave for the airport and check in to your fight directly from your Apple Watch. American Airlines is free on the App Store.
Delta
Delta Air Lines will also be joining the mix of airline apps for Apple Watch in a future update to its current Fly Delta app for iPhone and iPad. Delta for Apple Watch will deliver notifications about flights to users ahead of their boarding times, and it will give them access to the boarding pass stored on their iPhones directly on the wrist.
Delta for Apple Watch will offer flight numbers, gate numbers, flight times, and other info. If a flight gets changed, for example, users will get a notification on their Apple Watch. There will also be a notification when a flight is approaching a destination city, with information about luggage pickup. Fly Delta is free on the App Store.
United Airlines
United Airlines has not released screenshots or in-depth details about its Apple Watch plans, but it has confirmed that support for the wrist-worn device is in the works. United’s app will offer at-a-glance information on upcoming flights, including gate numbers and status, and let users view their flight reservations. It will also pull a traveler’s boarding pass from the Passbook app, and it’s able to alert users if flight times or gate numbers change. United Airlines is free on the App Store.
JetBlue
JetBlue has updated its app with Apple Watch support, enabling users to purchase onboard premium offerings from their wrists. The new Apple Watch app provides flyers with a Glance flight status, travel countdown and smart mobile boarding pass from the Apple Watch. JetBlue is free on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
Canada
Air Canada
Air Canada, the largest airline in Canada, recently updated their app with Apple Watch support for viewing the status of your flights departing within 24 hours, seeing your countdown to boarding time from your Glances, getting notifications for checking in and boarding your flight, using Handoff from your Apple Watch to complete your check-in and viewing boarding passes from Passbook. Air Canada is free on the App Store.
WestJet
WestJet, the second-largest Canadian airline behind Air Canada, recently updated its app for the Apple Watch to allow users to keep track of saved flight statuses and details in Glances, or view a countdown of time remaining until your next WestJet flight. WestJet boarding passes saved to Passbook will also be available on Apple Watch. WestJet is free on the App Store.
United Kingdom
British Airways
Keep up to date with the latest flight information using British Airways for Apple Watch. At a glance, the app allows you to view the status of your next flight, access both scheduled and estimated departure times, and view the latest weather at your destination. The app also provides up-to-date information about the flight’s gate status and provides notifications on your wrist when your gate status changes at Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5. British Airways is free on the App Store.
EasyJet
EasyJet, a low-cost airline in the United Kingdom, has also updated their app with Apple Watch support recently, providing personalized flight information and real-time views of travel information checked most frequently by passengers. Apple Watch users can also tweet and post to Facebook at various stages of their trip directly from the watch face. EasyJet is free on the App Store.
Australia
Qantas Airways
Qantas for Apple Watch is designed to eliminate the stress that can be associated with the flying experience. The app will provide a range of up-to-the-minute travel information and notifications on your Apple Watch including: departure time and gate information, in-air departure and arrival time-zone information, transit time information, lounge access eligibility, frequent Flyer login access, baggage carousel information (at selected destinations), boarding pass access (via Passbook) and delay or cancellation notifications. Qantas Airways is free on the App Store.
France
Air France
Air France for Apple Watch will deliver much of the same functionality as the airline’s iPhone app, access upcoming reservations, including the ability to check if your flight is on time or confirm that you are checked in. You can also view all of your essential trip information via Glances, including your gate or departure terminal, your seat and the time remaining before boarding, and obtain your boarding pass through Passbook. Air France is free on the App Store.
Ireland
Ryanair
Ryanair has pledged support for the Apple Watch when the wrist-worn device becomes available in Ireland.
United Arab Emirates
Emirates
While the Apple Watch is not available in United Arab Emirates until later in 2015, the airline Emirates recently updated their app with Apple Watch support for a hands-free travel experience. Emirates will be the first airline in the Middle East and African region to offer an Apple Watch app, with similar functionality as others: review your list of upcoming trips, access real-time flight information, receive notifications and access your boarding pass through Passbook. Emirates is free on the App Store.
Japan
Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines has developed an Apple Watch app that it will be available when the device launches on April 24. The app will offer similar functionality as the other airlines listed above. JAL is free on the App Store.
General Apps
- FlightTrack 5: Flight tracking, real-time departure and delay information, and more
- TripCase: Manage your trips, receive free flight alerts, and more
- Foursquare: Find places to eat, drink and visit
- Hotwire Hotels & Car Rentals: Hotels and car rentals and more from your wrist
AIVAnet 