Apple could be delaying HomeKit by a couple months
Citing sources close to the project, Fortune reports that Apple plans to delay the release of its much anticipated HomeKit platform. While the company has never actually provided a firm release date, it’s been widely speculated that HomeKit would hit sometime mid-summer, around June or July. Now it would appear that users will have to wait until August or September to begin smartening up their homes. Fortune‘s sources blame rapidly bloating code for the delay. Apparently, the current programming iteration demands far too much memory from smaller IoT devices and Apple figures it will need an extra month or so to trim the code down to more functional specs.
Filed under: Apple
Source: Fortune
Microsoft’s E3 event gives you a chance to play upcoming games
It’s not unheard of for game console makers to invite fans to their media events — largely to get more cheering than they’d usually get — but Microsoft is upping the ante for its E3 gathering this year. It’s planning to offer 500 tickets that gets you into both the company’s June 15th press conference as well as a FanFest (June 14th through the 18th) that lets you play upcoming Xbox games months in advance. You’ll also have VIP access to an eSports event and a meet-and-greet with game industry bigwigs. Be prepared tot make a lot of sacrifices if you’re determined to get in, though. You’ll have to be in the Los Angeles area, of course, but you’ll also have to line up for those tickets on the 14th. Otherwise, you’ll just have to watch the blogs and live streams like everyone else.
Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft
Source: Major Nelson, Xbox.com
Samsung’s Wallet service folds shut on June 30th
Now that Samsung Pay is nearly here, the company is riding its two-year-old Wallet service into the sunset. Samsung is now telling users that Wallet will stop taking purchases on June 30th. Any reservations and tickets you score before then will still be valid, but you’ll otherwise be left out of the loop. The move isn’t all that surprising given how much more advanced Samsung Pay should be, but it’s a blunt reminder of just how quickly the mobile payment world is evolving — technology that was promising in 2013 is already old hat.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Samsung
Source: SamMobile
Engadget’s new buyer’s guide picks: the GS6, Spectre x360 and more!
Another month, another handful of reviews. Which means another round of new additions to Engadget’s various buyer’s guides. For the fifth month of the year, we’ve got five new products to induct, including Samsung’s excellent Galaxy S6 and the HP Spectre x360, one of our new favorite laptops. As you’d expect, our other recommendations are solid too, but they each fall squarely in the “not for everybody” category. That includes the Apple Watch, currently the best smartwatch on the market, along with the low-powered Surface 3 and the 12-inch, mostly port-less MacBook. Whatever your tastes, chances are we’ve got something that makes sense for you. Check out the full guide here, and stay tuned for even more picks — because who knows what we’ll be buzzing about next month?
Filed under: Cellphones, Laptops, Tablets, Wearables, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, HP
Source: Engadget Buyer’s Guide
Qualcomm brings Bluetooth support to AllPlay audio streaming
Qualcomm just announced additional ways to input audio into its AllPlay WiFi streaming platform. The feature now supports Bluetooth and analog audio input on supported devices. Once the Bluetooth-streamed audio hits the “master” device, the audio is then distributed via WiFi to satellite speakers that don’t necessarily have to be from the same manufacturers. Bluetooth has become the de facto method of wirelessly streaming music to speakers and it makes sense for Qualcomm to start supporting the protocol. Analog inputs expand the reach of AllPlay to devices like turntables and home stereo systems without wireless support.
Qualcomm also announced an EQ feature will be available to developers to integrate into their AllPlay enabled apps. The chip company also reduced the audio latency of AllPlay to below 100 milliseconds so your house won’t sound like a giant echo chamber when you stream audio to multiple devices.
Bluetooth, EQ and the latency update will be available via a firmware update. Analog input support will be available on future speakers that implement the ports and feature.
AllPlay technology has been adopted by manufacturers like Monster, Panasonic, Medion and Gramofon and streaming music apps like Spotify and Rhapsody. Soundcloud and Jay Z’s Tidal have announced that AllPlay implementation is coming soon.
Filed under: Household, Peripherals, Wireless, Software
Source: Qualcomm
Samsung Wallet shutting down from June 30
Samsung has decided to terminate its Wallet service with the imminent arrival of Samsung Pay in mind. The company has sent out an email to users of the service that it will no longer be functional after June 30.
The service doesn’t enjoy a large user base, so that could have been another reason behind the closure of Samsung Wallet. As of now, the company hasn’t mentioned the exact reason reason behind the closure of the service.
Samsung mentions that tickets and other information will not disappear, but you will lose your coupons and other promotional items that is attached to your Samsung Wallet account.
Have you been a user of Samsung Wallet? What do you make of this news?
Via: Sam Mobile
Come comment on this article: Samsung Wallet shutting down from June 30
Samsung invests $250 million for LoopPay
Sources have revealed that Samsung spent approximately $250 million to acquire LoopPay and gain access to their mobile payment technology. LoopPay technology is unique amongst mobile payment solutions because it can take advantage of existing credit card readers that use the magnetic stripes on the back of cards. Most other solutions rely on NFC to make the connection, meaning retailers need special equipment installed. By making use of hardware that is already widely deployed, Samsung hopes their solution using the LoopPay technology will help them compete against Apple, Google and PayPal.
Prior to Samsung’s acquisition, LoopPay had raised a little more than $10 million from investors. Thus, the payout from Samsung is several orders of magnitude larger than their previous efforts. Although details are not available, sources also indicate the Samsung investment could increase even more based on performance resulting in additional earnouts.
LoopPay’s technology will eventually be rolled in with the forthcoming Samsung Pay mobile payments solution. Samsung Pay is scheduled to be deployed in some markets, including the U.S., later this year. Initially the solution will be available on the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, including full support for the LoopPay technology. Samsung has not revealed whether or how they may make Samsung Pay available on older devices that will not have the magnetic card reader support.
source: Re/code
Come comment on this article: Samsung invests $250 million for LoopPay
CBS apps now lets you stream content to Chromecast-enabled TVs
Right off the heels of HTC Zoe receiving a Chromecast update, CBS is updating all of its mobile apps today, as well. This new update will allow users to stream content to Chromecast-enabled TVs.
The CBS app offers a lot of free content, but it also lets you subscribe to CBS All Access, which is a $6/month service, that lets you stream a bunch of exclusive content, such as on-demand TV, a plethora of previous TV seasons, and etc. The move to add Chromecast support will only bolster their content, but give their app more visibility when they have a presence across all platforms like this.
Chromecast is the latest OTT device added to CBS’s digital distribution platforms. It joins CBS All Access’s recent launch on the Roku platform, in addition to CBS All Access’s availability online at CBS.com and on smartphones and tablets through the CBS App. CBS All Access will be available on more major connected device platforms in the coming months as well.
One of the Chromecast‘s biggest hindrances is the lack of content available. Slowly, we’re beginning to see more and more companies support it, which will make it a more appealing product, especially as more companies like CBS get on board.
With this new update, CBS app users can simultaneously browse the app while it’s streaming to the Chromecast device. You shouldn’t run into any interruptions whatsoever–it works seamlessly.
source: 9to5Google
Come comment on this article: CBS apps now lets you stream content to Chromecast-enabled TVs
Gmail app updated, now easier to find contact details and past conversations
Yesterday Google released a new version of the Gmail app, bringing a few minor changes to the mix, as well as a big improvement to how you look at contact information.
Starting with the changes to viewing contact information, you can now simply touch on a user’s avatar to see contact information, recent conversation, and other details at a glance. This is a much simpler way to find relevant info related to a contact.
Beyond this? We imagine there are the usual bug fixes and speed improvements, though Google only specifically mentions the people’s avatar change and more reliable “support for non-Gmail addresses (IMAP)” and changes that make adding additional accounts a smoother experience.
As is typical of Google, the update is expected to roll out in stages over the next few days. For those that don’t want to have to wait any longer than they have to, you can download the APK here and manually install it.
LifeProof FRE Power Waterproof Battery Case for iPhone 6 Now Available for Pre-Order [iOS Blog]
LifeProof today announced that its FRE Power waterproof battery case for iPhone 6 is now available for pre-order through its website, retailing for $129.99 with an estimated shipping date of mid-to-late June. The protective case guards the iPhone 6 against damage from water, drops, dust and snow, and has a 2,600 mAh lithium-ion battery that doubles the smartphone’s battery life.
FRE Power, available in white, black and blue, features auto-stop charging so that your iPhone automatically stops charging once it reaches 100% capacity. The case also has a built-in scratch protector to protect the iPhone’s touchscreen, an anti-reflective optical-glass camera lens and an included Micro USB port and cable for charging and syncing. LED lights on the back of the case indicate the battery pack’s level of charge.
The case has a waterproof rating of IP-68, the highest possible for solids and liquids, meaning it is able to withstand circulating talc for 8 hours and water immersion up to 6.6 feet or 2 meters for up to 1 hour. The case also has military standard 810G-516.6 drop and shock protection, safeguarding your iPhone against drops, fumbles, vibrations and bumps. FRE Power is available now on LifeProof’s website for $129.99.
LifeProof originally announced the FRE Power waterproof battery case at CES 2015.
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