Redefining the purity ring
“I know that we can’t change people’s behavior,” says Irina Rymshina, “but in later life they may want children and they certainly don’t want cancer. I think that we can help them.” She’s talking about Hoope, a wearable device that, it’s hoped, will be able to put an STD clinic on your thumb. If successful, then you can say goodbye to the idea of having to pee in a cup to make sure that you can go out this weekend.
That’s why the idea of this purity ring is so attractive, since it’ll bring the technology out of the clinic and the lab and into the home. So far, the company has the technology in rough form, but is now working on shrinking it down into a finger-friendly form factor. Hardware-wise, the majority of the ring contains a battery that’d be re-juiced on a charging plate or dock, as well as a wireless module that’s currently being worked on. Although the company has stressed that the communications chip will categorically “not be Bluetooth.”
Where the ring setting would ordinarily sit is a void where a user can slide in the “lab on a chip” cartridge. Inside this single-use unit is a needle and a testing kit that’ll look for the various antibodies produced by these common diseases. Chemicals inside the device then denature the blood, enabling you to throw the unit straight into the trash rather than treating it as biological waste. Within a few seconds of the blood being drawn, a diagnosis is sent to your smartphone’s companion app, that’ll tell you if you have anything, what you have, and send you directions to your nearest clinic.
The company also boasts that its neuromodulation system is sufficiently advanced that drawing blood is painless. As we’re talking, however, a man walks up and blurts out “is this the… STD ring?” Hoope may have only been going for the last 10 months, but it’s already notorious. Several people have asked why the device is shaped as a ring, to which Rymshina jokes (I think) that “the only way to stop the risk of catching a disease is to get married, right?”
The company is an international collaboration between three people who met at Singularity university in Silicon Valley. The device was envisioned by Rymshina, a Russian finance graduate, Damel Mektepbayeva a Kazakh biotechnologist and Ernesto Rodriguez Leal, an engineer from Mexico. The trio hope to launch the ring for a rough cost of $50 in the developed world and to use the profits from that enterprise to launch the technology (but not the form factor) to the developing world. The idea being that they can eventually get STD tests for the world’s poorest people to just $1 at a go.
As you know, FDA regulations require stringent medical testing before a company can market it as a “medical device.” Hoope, however, is considering going the easy route, launching on Indiegogo campaign and selling the hardware as a gadget that would only be able to hint at what sort of disease you’ve caught. In that case, testers would be told that they have an infection with “syphilis-like symptoms” to get around the regulations. There’s another market the company could go toward – since it’s already garnered attention from pharmaceutical firms that see the technology as a lightweight replacement for an epi-pen.
As we talked, there seemed to be a tension between the idea that a pragmatic solution to the issue of sexually transmitted diseases and a sense of condoning what is otherwise reckless behavior. The idea that the rings would be worn out in public, too, seems far-fetched, since we doubt too many people currently carry around a test certificate from their local clinic that says the same thing. Still, on paper the idea is solid and we’re interested in seeing how far the company can go.
Filed under: Wearables
Source: Hoope
Amazon is offering Echo voice tech to other manufacturers
Now that Amazon’s voice-controlled Echo speaker is available to everyone, the company is hinting at third-party devices that will make use of the same voice tech that powers the Echo’s built-in assistant, “Alexa.” Additionally, Amazon is giving developers access to the Alexa Skills Kit, a free SDK that will make it easy for them to create new features for the Echo platform. Lastly, the company launched the Alexa Fund, a $100 million endowment designed to support developers, manufacturers and startups who are interested in making voice-powered products for its ecosystem. To be a part of it, Amazon says it’s going to base those decisions on the technology’s ability to influence the Alexa Skills Kit or the Alexa Voice Service. What this tells us, though, is that Amazon is getting serious about what appeared to be a simple side-project from the beginning.
Filed under: Misc, Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Amazon
Source: Amazon (1), (2), (3)
ZTE behind the curtain of Axon Phone due July 14
A new brand of smartphone set to tackle the US market could actually come from a familiar name. Dubbed the Axon Phone, it appears the handset comes from Chinese phone maker ZTE.
Due July 14, the Android phone is expected to offer users a dual-lens camera capable of recording 4K video as well as a Hi-Fi audio experience. Available in three colors (PHTALO BLUE, ION GOLD, CHROMIUM SILVER), the actual specifications aren’t all that obvious. What we do know, however, is that it will pack no less than 4GB RAM.
“Inspired by your suggestions, Axon’s super-simplified Android interface pairs full-bleed images with large, elegant type for a high-end look and feel. It also comes with a lightning-fast processor, 4GB memory and a large battery for all-around high performance under the hood.“
According to the website, the phone is designed in the US; however it’s not clear whether designed is the same as manufactured. Either way, we’re interested in seeing how the handset is offered. Will it be sold unlocked direct to consumers? Are there any retail partners getting involved?
How do we know that ZTE is behind the Axon brand? PC Magazine did a little digging around and found the domain has traces of ZTE in the source code. Additionally, the address of the registrant matches that of a ZTE office. This is also not to mention the UI, icons, and overall design don’t stray too far from previous ZTE efforts.
If you check out the giveaway contest currently underway, the estimated cost of the phone is pegged at $450. Presumably this means the phone comes in a couple hundred dollars less than the top-tier flagship models offered by the likes of Samsung and others. It’s also possible that the device is sold at a lower cost.
All of the details will be uncovered in but a few weeks when the Axon Phone is formally revealed at a press event in New York.
How do you feel about ZTE taking a different approach to its US endeavors? Are you game to consider the Axon Phone?
The post ZTE behind the curtain of Axon Phone due July 14 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
$15 off Limited-Edition Code Black Drone
The Limited Edition Code Black Drone is a perfect item for video enthusiasts, gadget-lovers, aviation fanatics, kids, Batman fans (chicks dig the drone), and just about everyone else.
An inexpensive alternative to higher-priced quadcopters, this drone is fun and customize-able with beginner and expert flight modes. With its USB charging design and 6-axis control system, you’ll be the hit of the party when you break this out and take to the skies. The controller takes 4 AAA batteries (not included) and is ready-to-fly out of the box.
For just $99, you’ll be kicking off your Summer with an aerial flair. Plus, use coupon code HDCBD15 and take an additional $15 off the price! We expect to be absolutely be sold-out in short order. Order now, while you still can.
Today’s Bonus Deal
Be the first to own the world’s fastest nano drone. Pre-order the Axis Turbo-X Drone for just $45 today!
Check this deal out, and many others at deals.androidguys.com!
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Samsung denies rumours of Galaxy S7 launching this year
Ever since the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S6 for 2015, many leaks have come to light in the past few months concerning new devices to be added to Samsung’s ever growing arsenal of smartphones and tablets. But one interesting leak that stood out was the launch rumor of the Samsung Galaxy S7 in 2015.
Recent reports suggested that Samsung planned to launch a second flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S7 in the second half of 2015, in an attempt to challenge the Apple iPhone 6s directly since the Galaxy S line is usually released in the spring and the iPhone is released in the fall . The rumor was found doing rounds in the South Korean media, but a new source has come up stating it is false.
According to Mobileburn’s source who is within the marketing team of Samsung:
The company remains committed to launching products in pre-determined launch windows, which includes the S series.
Currently, Samsung releases their flagship Galaxy S device in the first quarter of the year. With the Galaxy S6 only 4 months old, it seemed highly unlikely that Samsung will release another flagship so soon. But the domination that iPhone holds may force Samsung to reconsider this option.
The second half of the year has always been dominated by the iPhone since its launch in the market, and Samsung isn’t the company to risk losing sales over trying to dominate the iPhone by launching the Galaxy S7 in the second half of 2015. The development fees of creating two generations of phones in one year would be tremendous, and if Samsung did release another generation of the S line, it would cannibalize the version released in the first half of the year.
Samsung is probably hoping that the Galaxy Note 5 is going to stand out in its own against the new iPhone. The source has also added that Samsung will not let the iPhone rule the market hinting at maybe an updated version of the Galaxy S6.
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Todoist update brings material design makeover,themes, and easier task creation
Todoist, an ultra-productive application that enables users to create and manage tasks easily, just received a major overhaul. The app has just been redesigned to Material Design, Google’s latest standard for Android app design.
“Today, we’re bidding a (not-so-tearful) farewell to a grey, utilitarian Todoist in favor of bold color, beautiful animations, and seamless interactions. After nearly a year of code wrangling and pixel perfecting, Todoist for Android’s Material redesign is finally here! “
What’s New
Quick-Add: simply tap the ‘add’ button floating at the bottom of the screen and type a task, priority, label, and due dates all in that one line. Use start and end dates to stay on top of your busy schedule.
Tablet Optimized: with a simple swipe to the left, you can schedule a task, while a right swipe will complete a task . These new gestures make the application smooth and intuitive.
| Features Sumary | |
|---|---|
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• A complete Material redesign
• Color themes to fit any mood & personality
• Intelligent quick-add with natural date recognition
• Start & end dates!
• Turn a new task into a sub-task during quick-add
|
• Swipe to complete and schedule your tasks
• Add collaborators while creating a new project
• All-new app navigation
• Beautiful new tablet interface
|
Final Thoughts
The Todoist teams goal was to make an already useful tool more colorful and beautiful. The Material Redesign allowed the application to become more familiar and user friendly. The addition of being able to change themes, gesture support, and a quick add option allows users to quickly add, complete, adjust and overall be much more productive. If you have not tried out Todoist it is available for download in the Google Play Store. Try it out and let us know what you thought by leaving comments below!
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Beats 1 to Include Programming Blocks From Celebrities Like Elton John, Pharrell, and Dr. Dre
News has been swirling around the impending launch of Apple’s new streaming music service, Apple Music, for a few weeks now. This morning, it was revealed that rapper Eminem will be the first official guest interviewed by DJ Zane Lowe on the Beats 1 live 24/7 radio show, setting up for a launch next Tuesday, June 30. Today, thanks to an in-depth post from The New York Times, new details regarding the show’s programming schedule and celebrity partners have been revealed.
Lowe envisions Beats 1 as a sort of social media platform for music, a place where users worldwide can flock to in search of new song discoveries and celebrity interviews and news, akin to platforms like Twitter and Instagram. To tackle such a task, Beats 1 will be broken down into one- and two-hour slots, sometimes hosted and produced by celebrities and musicians themselves.
“Everyone keeps going to their devices because of fear of missing out,” he said. “I’m constantly going on Instagram, Twitter, wondering what’s going on in my friends’ lives. What am I missing? I want that for radio. What’s on right now, right now, that I didn’t know I wanted to listen to?”
To keep Beats 1 sounding fresh around the world, the station will alternate one- and two-hour programming blocks by established broadcasters with those by musicians and celebrities, who will host and plan the shows themselves. Among the names on board: the teen actor Jaden Smith, the alternative singer St. Vincent, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and the British electronic duo Disclosure.
Small hints were given to the specificities of some of Beats 1’s shows, including a Dr. Dre-hosted hour called “The Pharmacy,” and a smash-up between eclectic oldies and modern classics hosted by Elton John, suitably titled “Elton John’s Rocket Hour.” Other celebrity partners with planned shows include Pharrell and Drake, the former with a planned exclusive single for the service and the latter publicly supporting Apple Music on stage at WWDC this year.
The original idea for Beats 1 came from musician — and key designer of Apple Music — Trent Reznor, who hoped to expand the window of each individual user’s musical tastes, fearing a lack of discovery and creativity in the current landscape of digital downloads. Listening to Lowe’s own BBC-hosted radio show led Reznor to eventually helping Apple form and create the idea of Apple Music, and specifically a worldwide “monoculture” of a radio show in Beats 1. “Part of the last three months has been desperately trying to come up with a new word that’s not radio,” Lowe mentioned to The New York Times. “We couldn’t do it.”
Apple Music has faced a few hurdles in the weeks leading up to its big debut, namely in the public criticism of its three-month free trial by musician Taylor Swift, followed immediately by the company’s reversal on its no-royalties policy during that period. Those interested should check out The New York Times‘ full-length feature on Zane Lowe and his addition to Apple Music, which is just five days away from launch.
T-Mobile’s New ‘Jump On Demand’ Lease Program Allows Up to 3 Smartphone Upgrades Per Year [iOS Blog]
T-Mobile today introduced a new Jump on Demand smartphone trade-in program that enables customers to upgrade their smartphone up to three times per year with no fees or waiting times. The new program provides customers with a new smartphone with $0 due at signing in return for 18 monthly payments alongside the standard cost of a service plan. The smartphone can then be upgraded up to 3 times in a 12-month period at no cost.
“With Jump! On Demand, you make payments on your phone for 18 months. After 18 months, you can simply turn in your phone with nothing more to pay, or upgrade to your next new phone and start a new plan, or make a final payment and keep your phone. If you keep your phone and make the final payment, the total of your payments will equal the retail price of the phone. In addition, customers can pay off their JUMP! On Demand plan at any time by paying the remaining payments in advance, and keep their phone without penalty.”
Customers that cancel their T-Mobile wireless service in less than 18 months must pay the sum of their final monthly payments and return the working smartphone, or purchase the smartphone outright for a fee, such as $164 for the iPhone 6. Jump on Demand will be available for eligible devices at participating T-Mobile stores in the United States beginning Sunday, June 28.
NSFW Warning: Language may not be suitable for all audiences
T-Mobile is offering the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus through Jump On Demand for just $15 and $19 per month respectively for a limited time, prices that are unmatched by competing carriers. T-Mobile customers interested in the deal can sign up to receive updates about Jump On Demand through the carrier’s website.
Taylor Swift to Stream Top-Selling Album ‘1989’ on Apple Music
Taylor Swift has decided to stream her most recent best-selling album “1989” on Apple Music when the music service launches on June 30 next week.
After the events of this week, I’ve decided to put 1989 on Apple Music…and happily so.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 25, 2015
Updating…
Samsung shows off Galaxy S6’s wireless charging feature in new ad
In yet another Galaxy S6 ad, Samsung is demonstrating the device’s wireless charging abilities, showing consumers how much more efficient and easier the technology is over the standard charging cable.
In the thirty-second clip, Samsung points out just how frustrating cable management can be. But while wireless charging is a nice luxury to have, you still have to mess with cables. After all, where is the wireless charging pad going to gets its power?
Click here to view the embedded video.
When the wireless charging pad is set up, it’s certainly an efficient and hassle-free technology to use. And if Samsung really wanted to push this technology, they’d probably include a charging pad in the box, whereas for the time being, they don’t. In all honesty, the ad pokes more fun at Apple than really trying to sell you on wireless charging.
But, in case you didn’t know, Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge both support PMA and Qi wireless charging, making the two devices capable with a variety of third-party wireless charging solutions.
What do you think of wireless charging? Is it a technology you use or do you find it to be just as much hassle as cable management?
Come comment on this article: Samsung shows off Galaxy S6’s wireless charging feature in new ad
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