FCC Chairman on why lawsuits won’t beat net neutrality this time
Companies have been gunning for the FCC’s open internet rules since the very moment news crossed the wires, and their latest move involved pushing for a stay — a sort of legal “not so fast!” — on the classification of the internet as a public utility. While visiting TechCrunch Disrupt in New York this morning, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler reaffirmed his belief in a victory for the internet, saying he was “pretty confident” in the outcome of the cases and that his plan for now was simply “not to lose”.
If the sight of cable companies and content providers putting up a fight comes as any kind of shock, you haven’t been paying attention. Immediately after the Commission revealed its new set of rules, players like AT&T and Verizon hastily issued public policy blog posts denouncing the move, and it was long after that before the lawsuits started rolling in en masse.
When asked if he expected as many challenges as he got, Wheeler was blunt. “Sure,” he said. “The Big Dogs will sue on the things they don’t like and it’s their right.” Still, he doesn’t seem all too worried about the matter. Wheeler explained that the Verizon decision that overturned the 2010 Net Neutrality rules was based on the concept that the FCC tried to impose Title II-like requirements without actually coming out and saying these companies are Title II common carriers. Even with parts of the Telecommunications Act subject to forbearance here — meaning some things just won’t apply to keep regulatory meddling to a minimum — there’s just no ambiguity anymore. That extra bit of legal specificity is enough to keep Wheeler awfully optimistic about the Open Internet’s chances, but you know its opponents are going to throw whatever they can at the plan in hopes that something icky sticks.
HBO switches to streaming-only review policy starting right now
HBO is trying super hard to dislodge Game of Thrones’ crown as the “most pirated TV show” of modern times. It recently launched HBO Now, a non-cable-based streaming service, and today the company announced it would stop providing reviewers with DVDs containing episodes of its shows prior to their air dates. Instead, HBO will give reviewers early access to these episodes via a secure streaming service. The streaming policy starts this week with three new episodes of Veep, but it was spurred by a recent Thronesian leak: In April, four unaired Game of Thrones episodes found their way online, all of them reportedly linked to a review DVD. “Amazingly enough, it wasn’t until just recently that a DVD was leaked online,” HBO EVP of Corporate Communications Quentin Schaffer said in an email to reviewers.
Fugoo Tough speaker – The absolute best speaker available
With literally hundreds of different sizes, brands, shapes, etc, buying a portable Bluetooth speaker can be rather intimidating and confusing, especially if you care about getting value out of the product you buy. With so many manufacturers of Bluetooth speakers and so many different kinds, you can easily assume that Bluetooth speakers are a money making machine.
Bose, Beats, Sony, Samsung, Lg, Logitech, etc, all make speakers, and each focus on sound first, followed by durability, battery life, design, function and features like Bluetooth, NFC, and speaker phone.
Most people head down to their local Best Buy, Target, or Amazon.com to research and purchase their Bluetooth speaker. In noisy environments, it is hard to pick up which speaker sounds the best, and in many cases customers go simply off of loudness and bass to make their decision when in store, or they have to rely on user reviews from amazon.com. For the readers of Androidguys, I have a treat for you.
The tough Fugoo speaker is the absolute best speaker you can buy for the money. I will explain why in the review. Fugoo, or Fugu, is a pufferfish that is prepared for food consumption in Japan as well as a very few select restaurants in the US. The pufferfish is highly poisonous, and if it is not served properly, it can kill the people who consume it. When you think of Fugu, you think of something that takes many hours of practice to be able to serve it to consumers. You also think of things like, premium, rare, high-quality, and tough. And that is why I believe the Fugoo speaker is the last Bluetooth speaker you will buy.
Fugoo sells 6 speakers, but of those six, they are derived from 2 core models. You have the standard core which I will be reviewing, and you have the XL(larger size) which I hope to review in the future. The Fugoo comes in three different designs, the Style, Sport, and Rugged. I chose to review the Rugged model, as I tend to explore the outdoors in sunny San Diego and I want a speaker that can handle the elements which Fugoo claims it can.
Sound
First and foremost, the most important factor when choosing a speaker is the quality of sound. When people think of a manufacturer that puts sound first they usually think of Bose. I am one of the customers who owned a few Bose speakers, and generally I would say they do offer the best sound quality. All other speakers usually sound pretty good, or good enough, and when picking a speaker you can balance all of the features that are most important when making your final decision.
In comes Fugoo. There is absolutely no compromise on sound. You can see the 6 speakers through the grilles on the device, 2 speakers on the front and back, and one on each of the sides. When listening to music, you do not need to worry about which way the speaker is facing. It pumps out loud and quality music in each direction. When watching movies with my Samsung Galaxy Tab S, I place the speaker behind the tablet, and if there were a movie theater experience on a tablet, the Fugoo would be it. You can feel the bass, hear the 3D sound, and hear every word because the speaker is simply loud and clear. Without getting over analytical with sound data charts, I can say this speaker is better than the Bose Soundlink Mini which is a direct competitor. The Bose speaker was the best sounding speaker that I had heard until the Fugoo. Both sound great, but the six speakers on the Fugoo just give a better listening experience. Music and movies truly come alive when listening to the Fugoo.
Battery
At 50% loudness, Fugoo claims that the speaker will last an astounding 40 hours. In comparison, the Bose Soundlink Mini gets an estimated 10 hours of use. I can confirm that the Fugoo absolutely demolishes the competition when it comes to battery life. I received this speaker two months ago, and the reason why it has taken me so long to write this review is because I was not only testing in-use battery life, but I was testing standby battery life.
I personally believe this is the best portable Bluetooth speaker you can buy in this price range. Before writing this review and recommendation, I wanted a real life experience in how I would use the speaker so I could pass that on to you.
I never quite made 40 hours of use with the Fugoo speaker, but I did get over 30 hours. That can be attributed to me cranking the volume up because I enjoyed this speaker so much. It truly brought my music to life when I was cooking, taking a shower, hanging out at the dog park, and camping on an overnight trip with a few friends. I never once worried about recharging the speaker until it warned me when the battery was running low. Listening at 50% volume for 40 hours just wasn’t an option for me because this speaker sounded too great to keep it quiet.
After testing the in-use battery life, I tested the standby battery life. I went 30 days without touching my speaker after a full charge. When I went to use it after 30 days, the speaker had 75% battery life remaining. The battery is simply incredible.
I would imagine most of the weight of this speaker, it is heavy for such a small device(1.4 pounds), comes from the six speakers and huge battery. Either way, I don’t mind the extra weight because this device lasts so long. No other speaker comes close when it comes to battery life. Sound quality can be debated until blue in the face, as sound quality is highly subjective, but battery life speaks for itself. No other speaker comes close in matching battery life.
Durability
When you spend 200-300 dollars on an accessory, you would definitely like it to be durable. No one appreciates an accessory falling apart. The Fugoo is best-in-class when it comes to durability. I tested the “Tough” version and by all means was it tough. The Tough speaker is built with a heavy-duty cage and frame designed to withstand the elements. My speaker was rained on, dropped, thrown in a backpack, run under water from the sink, dropped in the sand at the beach, and it still worked perfectly. There was not even a hint of this speaker breaking down after two months of solid usage.
Usually when you buy a portable speaker for outdoor usage, the manufacturer puts build quality over sound quality. In Fugoo’s case, the speakers build quality and sound quality are equal. You will not find a more durable speaker than the Fugoo, and you will not find a better sounding speaker than the Fugoo.
Accessories
Since the Fugoo was designed to be multi-purpose, they offer a wide range of accessories to go with the speaker. They offer a bike mount, a strap mount( to tie the speaker to any object you want, or a multi-mount which can be used to use a tripod, rope/carabiner, or belt clip with this speaker. In addition to the different mounts, Fugoo also offers a remote control with a built-in bottle opener for those outdoor trips.
When you’re done with the outdoors and want to change the look of your speaker for home use, Fugoo also offers a wide range of cases. These cases are not designed to go over the Tough speaker, they are designed to replace the tough case. An allen wrench is provided in the packaging which will allow you to remove the core of the speaker from the case. Once removed you can easily replace the tough cover with a sport jacket, or style jackets which come in a multitude of colors. Your outdoor speaker doesn’t have to look rugged when you use it at home.
Conclusion
With a starting price of $229.99 for the Fugoo Tough speaker, it puts this in a class with the likes of the Bose Soundlink Mini, Ultimate Ears Boom, Beats Pill 2.0, and JBL Pulse, and without a doubt I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this speaker above all others. On top of that, the speaker is incredibly easy to use. Once you pair the Fugoo to your phone/tablet it stays paired and will play music whenever you turn it on. Fugoo has managed to create the best sounding speaker, best battery life speaker, and most durable speaker on the market today.
The Fugoo speaker has been reviewed by many other sites, magazines, etc. and all give it high reviews. You may not see this speakers in stores which means you won’t be able to test it in store, but trust me, don’t waste your money on anything else. Spend it wisely and pick up the Fugoo Tough speaker. You will not be disappointed and you will not need to buy any other portable speakers.
The post Fugoo Tough speaker – The absolute best speaker available appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Plus introduces new Pinterest-like feature, Collections
It’s been a year since Vic Gundotra left Google+, and since that time we’ve heard numerous reports about how Google+ is dying, a sentiment that has continued even into recent times. Despite these claims, Google seems hard at work in expanding G+’s feature set and in its latest move is adding a brand new feature called Collections.
So what is collections? Basically, we are looking at Google’s take on Pinterest. Google+ users can now create a collection of posts (with text, video, images, etc) based on a specific interest. These collections can then be shared with the general public, privately, or with certain specific users. After creating your first collection, your profile will add a new tab that lets others easily find and follow all your collections. Collections can also be customized with a color and header image of your choice.
Collections will be available both for web, Android, and web users. Keep in mind that back-end access is being turned on for a number of people, but it has yet to reach everyone.
We are certainly excited by the feature, as it should make it much easier to find conversations in topics that actually matter to us. What do you think of the new feature? Something you are excited for or not really?
McDonald’s will deliver your Big Mac, if you’re in New York City
What’s that? You want a Big Mac combo for lunch but don’t have time to venture out? Well, if you happen to be in New York City, McDonald’s will soon bring that double-decker burger to you. The company announced today that it will test a 24-hour delivery service in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan as part of a partnership with Postmates. If you’ll recall, that startup powers similar delivery options for Starbucks and Chipotle. This news comes as part of CEO Steve Easterbrook’s plan to turnaround the fast food chain’s business by focusing on better food and acting on customer feedback — all-day breakfast, sirloin burgers and “artisan” chicken were mentioned. It’s going to be an uphill climb for the Golden Arches too, as the franchise will close 700 total stores this year. Looking to try the new service? You’ll be able to do just that starting today from NYC’s 88 participating locations. Don’t expect ice cream, though, and you’ll want to order $10 worth of food to avoid a delivery fee.
[Image credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Via: Business Insider, Eater NY
Source: McDonald’s (1)
Microsoft is reportedly making high-end Windows phones again
One of the biggest gripes among Windows phone devotees is a lack of high-powered devices as of late. How are you supposed to be a hardcore fan when most of the lineup is downright basic? At last, though, Microsoft appears to be catering to that need for speed. Both Unleash the Phones and The Verge understand that the Redmond crew is working on two range-topping Windows 10 phones, nicknamed Cityman and Talkman in a nod to Nokia’s early handsets. They’d both be powerhouses with Quad HD screens, 3GB of RAM, 20-megapixel rear cameras, 5-megapixel front shooters and 32GB of expandable storage. It’d really boil down to your preference of screen size. The Talkman would be the mid-size model with a 5.2-inch display and a six-core processor (likely the LG G4’s Snapdragon 808), while the Cityman would up the ante with a 5.7-inch screen and an eight-core (possibly Snapdragon 810) chip.
There aren’t many details of what’s special about either gadget, although they should have a couple of tricks up their sleeves. They’d both have three-tone camera flashes (theoretically more accurate than their two-tone rivals), and the Cityman would get accessories to make the most of Windows 10’s phone-as-PC feature. Whatever they’re capable of, you probably won’t see them for a while if the reports are accurate. These devices are linked closely to Windows 10, which won’t reach phones until sometime after it arrives on computers this summer.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: Unleash the Phones, The Verge
Google buys a firm that organizes your calendar around your life
Google has been striving for smarter apps that are built around the way you really live, and it’s reinforcing that today by acquiring Timeful. The startup built a system that organizes your calendar around both your schedule and your priorities. You can tell it how often you’d like to hit the gym, for example, and it will slot in those workouts based on when you’re actually going to be free. Google expects the technology to find its way into Calendar, Inbox “and beyond,” so don’t be surprised if these apps do a better job of adapting to your daily patterns in the near future.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Via: Reuters
Source: Official Gmail Blog, Timeful
Classic and Modern Buckle Band Parts Let Third-Party Bands Connect to Apple Watch [iOS Blog]
There are few third-party band options available for the Apple Watch at the current point in time given that it just launched a week and a half ago, but those of you who purchased a stainless steel Apple Watch with a Classic Buckle or Modern Buckle band can use the components from those bands to connect standard watch bands to your Apple Watch devices.
In a newly published video, Lewis Hilsenteger of Unbox Therapy walks through the process of using the parts in the Classic Buckle band to connect a 22mm third-party watch band to the Apple Watch.
As it turns out, there are two small pentalobe screws holding the pin component of the Classic Buckle together, so with a pentalobe screwdriver, the portion of the band that connects to the Apple Watch can be disassembled, slid into a standard pin-based watch band, and reassembled.
The Modern Buckle and the Classic Buckle are the only two bands that have a pin-based connector built-in, so those of you who want to use different watch bands with your Apple Watch devices will need to either purchase one of the models that comes with a Classic Buckle band or purchase a Classic Buckle band separately for $149 (estimated to ship out in May). The Modern Buckle has the same connector, but Modern Buckle Apple Watches have not yet shipped out and those bands are listed as “Currently Unavailable” in the online Apple Store.
Along with a compatible Apple Watch band, a tiny pentalobe screwdriver is also required to swap out the band, but those are available at little cost. With a Classic Buckle and the screwdriver, making a swap is as uncomplicated as simply removing two screws, pulling apart the connector, sticking the pieces into another watch band, and putting it back together again.
Google Acquires iOS-Based Time Management App Timeful [iOS Blog]
Google today announced an acquisition of iOS-based time management app Timeful, which first launched last year. When it was released, Timeful was described as “the first intelligent time manager” for mobile devices, aiming to help users manage their lives by combining a time management app with a calendar, a to-do list, and reminders designed to reinforce positive habits.
In its current incarnation on iOS, Timeful connects to the Calendar app to import existing events into a daily view that includes all tasks that need to be completed. It also lets users create to-dos, and when there’s a block of open time on a user’s schedule, Timeful will insert “Habits.” Habits are user-defined tasks like “Take a Walk” or “Read for 30 Minutes,” and are aimed at fitting recreation or skill-building tasks into each user’s schedule.
Google plans to incorporate Timeful‘s clever time management tools into its existing products like Inbox and Calendar, making it easier for users to schedule events and find time for all tasks that need to be completed in any given day.
The Timeful team has built an impressive system that helps you organize your life by understanding your schedule, habits and needs. You can tell Timeful you want to exercise three times a week or that you need to call the bank by next Tuesday, and their system will make sure you get it done based on an understanding of both your schedule and your priorities. We’re excited about all the ways Timeful’s technology can be applied across products like Inbox, Calendar and beyond, so we can do more of the work for you and let you focus on being creative, having fun and spending time with the people you care about.
According to a blog post on the Timeful site, the Timeful app will continue to be available on iOS, but going forward, attention will be on “new projects at Google.” Current Timeful users can export their data out of the app for use with other apps if desired.
NYC commits $70 million towards universal broadband
In an ambitious effort to close New York City’s digital divide, the De Blasio administration has announced that it’s going to spend $70 million bringing high-speed internet access to the city’s residents. 22 percent of New Yorkers overall lack a home internet connection (with that number jumping to 36 percent for the poorest residents) which significantly impacts their social mobility, according to the mayor’s office.
“From doing homework to finding a job, high speed internet access is as important as electricity to building opportunities for all of our people,” Maya Wiley, Counsel to the Mayor, said in a statement. The administration plans to spend most of the $70 million within the first two years of the 10 year program. $25 million is earmarked to create wireless corridors which will deliver internet access to 20,000 low-income homes. An additional $7.5 million will be spent to improve existing wireless networks throughout the five boroughs, such as the Harlem free Wi-Fi zone. New York state has also agreed to kick in $1.6 million to improve wireless signals in industrial areas to the benefit of some 500 businesses.
Additionally, the Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation has also called upon the city’s tech companies and small scale ISPs for ideas and proposals to further provide affordable broadband to the city’s underserved residents. If you think you’ve got a good idea, the deadline to submit it is June 30th, 2015 at 8 pm EST.
[image credit: the Associated Press]
Filed under: Wireless
Via: TechCrunch
Source: NYC.gov
AIVAnet 