Facebook wants to help you share that must-read story
Picture the scene: you’re browsing on your phone when, suddenly, you find a list of the Top 10 celebrity pets that have killed people. Now, you just have to show this to your friends on Facebook, but that means finding the share link, holding it down until it copies, opening the app and pasting it in, which could take several seconds. Naturally, that’s an intolerable situation for Mark Zuckerberg, which is why the social network is testing a way to search and add these links from within the Facebook app itself. That way, all you’d have to do is click the Add Link button, type “10 celebrity pets that have kil…” and the link should pop up all by itself.
Facebook, as you may know, is all about trying to become a one-stop shop for everyone’s time on the internet. That’s why it’s offering its server space to host stories from the likes of Buzzfeed, the New York Times and National Geographic. After all, the more time you spend on Facebook, the more information can be gathered about your habits and the more ads can be sold to you. Then there’s the fact that this search engine could eventually be improved so you never feel compelled to spend time over at Google. The Add Link feature is currently being tested out with a small group of users in the US and, if successful, will probably roll out to everyone else in the world in due course.
[Image Credit: Shutterstock]
Filed under: Internet, Facebook
Via: WSJ
Source: TechCrunch
Garmin’s running watch finally tracks your heart rate by itself
Garmin is more than a little late to heart-tracking watches (even TomTom had one last year), but it’s making up for that today. The company’s new Forerunner 225 running watch has a built-in, Mio-developed heart monitor that saves you from buying a chest strap just to find out whether or not you’re pumping blood at an ideal rate. You’ll also get some of the perks of Garmin’s nicer wristwear, such as step counting, an accelerometer for tracking indoor runs and data sharing with your smartphone. If you’re eager to prep for a marathon with Garmin’s help, you can pick up the 225 sometime this quarter (no later than June) for $300.
Filed under: Wearables
Source: Garmin
Samsung strikes out in Japan… again
The Galaxy is everywhere.
By all accounts, especially financial ones, the two Samsung flagships released last month are certified hits. The Galaxy S6, and its colleague the Galaxy S6 Edge, saw the Korean OEM reach a new level of build quality when it announced the pair of products, complete with a metal frame and glass back panel. They are, arguably, the best smartphones Samsung has produced to date, and by far the most costly.
Over in the land of Japan however, the tide hasn’t turned, at least judging by the poor sales the devices have rung up. A new report by Japanese marketing firm BCN has some rather somber news for Samsung: the Galaxy S6, upon its first week of release, ranked 17th among all devices sold, but would drop to 30th place just a week later. The Galaxy S6 Edge, viewed by many as the more desirable device thanks to its unique form factor, launched at the 10th place spot in its first week of sales, and then dropped to 26th place during the second week.
Galaxy S6
.rvs_wrapper
width: 335px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
.rvs_wrapper
width: 100%;
text-align: center;
#page .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
display: inline-block;
float: none;
vertical-align: top;
According to BCN on May 11, the Galaxy S6 Edge ranked 26th in the Japanese smartphone weekly sales rankings from April 27 to May 3. The sale of the model appeared to be smooth at first, ranking 10th the first week of its launch. However, its ranking went down by 16 notches in just one week. The Galaxy S6 also suffered from a drop in the rankings from 17th in the first week of its release to 30th place in the following week.
Samsung, whose market share has been hovering around 5% for some time now in Japan, is no doubt quite displeased with this news, especially after it has made some major sacrifices in order to try and better appeal to the Japanese market, namely removing its logo from everything under-the-sun and a total re-branding of all things to simply “Galaxy”. According to this report, Apple’s iPhone products are currently occupying 6 of the top 10 spots in Japan’s current sales ranking data, which would certainly go a long way to explaining part of the problem at hand.
Still, this situation is quite curious indeed, as the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge released with literally no competition whatsoever. It is being sold on two carriers, NTT docomo and au by KDDI, neither of which had any other product released in the month of April, or in the recent past for that matter. This would mean that not only has Samsung failed to break into the top 10 at launch, but it couldn’t even outsell existing handsets that have already been released.
There have been rumors floating around this year indicating the company might be intending to pull out of Japan soon. While nothing has been confirmed, this kind of performance problem is definitely not going to please anyone involved.
Periscope no longer requires Twitter for sign ups
Periscope used to require Twitter integration, because the livestreaming app’s kinda, sorta owned by the social network. Yes, we did mean to say “used to,” because its latest version gives you the power to choose between a Twitter account and a phone number to sign up. You’ll still get user recommendations based on your Follow list if you register via Twitter, but that’s pretty much the only difference between the two. The new Periscope also allows you to swap profile pictures with snapshots in your Camera Roll and makes replying to comments during broadcast a one-tap affair. Finally, if you install the refreshed app from iTunes, know that every strike of your banhammer will be announced on the comments section. Periscope says that adds an “important layer of transparency and accountability” and could even make those with God complex think twice before hitting block.
Update: A reader got in touch and pointed out that Periscope’s new log-in system could be one of the first implementations of Twitter’s Digits. It’s a tool included in the company’s mobile development kit called Fabric launched in 2014, and it allows devs to add a “sign up with phone number” option to their apps. [Thanks, Bastian!]
Filed under: Misc
Source: Periscope (Medium)
VR game ‘SMS Racing’ trivializes texting while driving
Texting while driving is against the law and it can put you and other people on the road in serious danger. That can’t be understated. However, when it’s your main objective when playing a virtual reality racing game, it can also be seriously good fun. That’s the premise of SMS Racing, a diminutive game from Turbo Button that pits you against other racers as you drive, text and ultimately smash your way to victory.
When you first start off, you’ll notice you have just the one hand on the wheel with your other ready to operate a Samsung smartphone. The product placement is no coincidence, the game has been optimized for Samsung’s Gear VR, which will track head movement as you look down to reply to your friends’ messages using a randomized keyboard. You’ll traverse rural or city tracks and battle four AI drivers to place on the public leaderboard — just make sure you don’t demonstrate that behaviour on your early morning commute.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Mobile
Via: Polygon
Source: SMS Racing
Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge receive fingerprint and other improvements in a new update
Last week, a performance improving update began making its way out to Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge owners in Europe, addressing an issue with memory management. Samsung UK also announced that more “micro-updates” are in the works, and it seems that another one is now on the way.
A new update with the build number XXU1AOE3 (the previous version was XXU1AODG) has appeared, with a more detailed change-log this time. The 159MB update aims to improve the fingerprint scanner’s recognition process, implements a new unnamed feature in the Photo Editor, tweaks the interface in a few of Samsung’s own apps, and also improves compatibility with a number of accessories. Oddly, there’s no mention of directly addresses the memory management issue that some users are experiencing, but this version does boast general performance improvements.
Last week’s update seems to have only had a limited roll-out, leaving us to wonder if Samsung plans to bring the memory issue update to other users. It seems that the previous update was just for one or two select carriers in the UK and this latest update is intended for a general roll-out.
Version XXU1AOE3 is landing in Asia and Europe as we speak, so be sure to click that Software Update button in the settings to see if it has arrived for you yet. Let us know if you notice any improvements.
Illinois police will use drones, won’t say ‘drones’
The Illinois State Police will be able to use unmanned aircrafts to assess traffic-halting crashes and crime scenes for the next two years. Despite the recent FAA approval, the department is careful not to use the word “drones” because of the connotations attached to them. According to the Chicago Tribune, their statement says “it carries the perception of pre-programmed or automatic flight patterns and random, indiscriminate collection of images and information.”
The state police insist that their “unmanned aircraft system” is not a surveillance program. They’ve worked with the American Civil Liberties Union to protect citizen rights and all autonomous flights will be reserved for the emergencies listed in Illinois’ Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act passed in 2013. The bill makes provisions for the use of drones in missing person investigations, disasters and other events that threaten human life. For now, the system is expected to provide clear aerial shots that will allow them to save time and clear highways more efficiently at the time of a crash.
[Image credit: Getty]
Via: Chicago Tribune
Source: ArsTechnica
Trek HD 4G LTE is AT&T’s first tablet, running Android 5.0 Lollipop
AT&T has announced their first self branded tablet, the Android 5.0 Lollipop powered Trek HD 4G LTE. This is a fairly big move for the big U.S. carrier, and a big vote of confidence in tablets, as a form factor.
The Trek HD 4G LTE is an 8-inch tablet with 1280×800 resolution display. Powering it is a 1.6 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 SoC with 1GB of RAM. Internal storage clocks in at 16GB, with room to slide in a 32GB microSD card for expanded space.
When it comes to keeping the lights on, a 4060mAh battery is said to provide up to 8 hours of juice. Keeping the device connected is made simple, AT&T has equipped the tablet with all the radios for their own LTE network, allowing you to connect through their DataConnect or Mobile Share Value plan for as low as $10 per month.
For more info, AT&T has started with a Trek HD Mobile Minute video clip, here, check it out.
Affordability is the name of the game here. AT&T is offering up the tablet for as little as $49 with qualifying agreement. That works into a $199.00 purchase outright, or $10 per month for 20 months on AT&T’s Tablet Installment plan. Head on over to the AT&T page for more information, or to order up your new Trek HD 4G LTE. Sales start today May 12th, online, look for the tablet in stores on May 15th.
Are you interested in AT&T’s new budget minded tablet, the Trek HD 4G LTE?
Miito can heat tea directly in your cup
Miito’s Kickstarter page says it was designed to prevent people from wasting water and energy, which happens when heating liquids in kettles. But we’ll bet it’s the lazy tea drinkers who’ll truly have a place for it in their homes. The device heats not just water, but also milk, soups and other liquids placed in any container without iron content. Just switch the platform on, place the bowl or glass on it, drop the heating rod in, and the liquid will be heated via induction energy. It’s like a fancy version of those off-brand immersion heaters you’ll likely find in many dorms, except a lot less portable.
Its creators told us they expect the device to heat a cup of water in 60 seconds, but heating times will obviously vary based on the liquid and thickness of the container. Miito’s supposed to completely eliminate kettles from the equation, and it does look well-designed and elegant. However, its success likely depends on whether people are willing to shell out at least $84 for one, despite having stoves and coffeemakers. Those intrigued enough to want to know more can visit its campaign on Kickstarter, where it’s trying to raise $168,000.
Filed under: Household
Source: Kickstarter
Experience dysentery on an Arduino-powered Gameboy
The handheld gaming world has been on the retreat since smartphones replaced the Gameboys in our pockets. But, when you mix nostalgia, an Arduino, virtual dysentery and a low price point, you get the credit-card sized Arduboy. The 8-bit gaming rig fits in your pocket, sports a black-and-white 1.3-inch OLED screen, two piezo speakers, and an eight-hour battery life. Created by Kevin Bates, his first version that he posted on YouTube garnered enough interest that Bates quit his job and started working on Arduboy full time and now you can preorder one of these full little devices.
After a year in development – that included Bates moving to China – the production model that’s on Kickstarter and was presented at the HAX demo day today has a polycarbonate front and metal back. It’s tiny, light and feels like you could drop it without it shattering. Pretty much everything you want in a handheld gamer. While the $29 early bird pledge versions are gone, the $39 version is still available.
To make sure there are apps when it hits backers’ mailboxes, Bates has seeded 100 developer versions of the device and said that 100 games will be available for download at launch including Cascade Path (Oregon Trail clone), Flappy Ball (Flappy Bird clone) and Ardumon (Pokemon clone). All the games will be free, open source and editable. And because it is open source, Arduino-based and can emulate a keyboard or mouse, the Arduboy could prove to more than just a fun gaming device in your pocket. During a presentation video a synth app and an Arduboy controlling a quadcopter were shown.
“In the long run, I want to sell it for $10,” Bates said.”It’ll be the same price point as a thumb drive and can be handed out at conventions by companies with their information on it. Then you can take it home and play games.” If that happens, conventions just got a bit more fun.
Source: Arduboy
AIVAnet 
