Lenovo exec hints at things to come this summer
It seems that Lenovo has something up their sleeve for this summer and the release of the latest Motorola products. This will mark the first time that a Motorola product has been released since the Nexus 6, and with Lenovo at the helm without any other influence. Recently, Lenovo’s chief executive was interviewed and shared just a glimpse at what to expect this summer.
We have many new models in development with the Moto brands, so you may see in summer us launching some every exciting products, including phones and watches.
With that, we can expect to see AT LEAST an updated Moto X and an updated Moto 360
As for the Moto 360, there’s not much to be said as of yet, however, we can only look forward to Lenovo improving upon the already beautiful design and functionality of the Android Wear device. There has been no mention about with Lenovorola will keep the Moto Maker for both the Moto 360 and the Moto X
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HTC soon bringing ads to a BlinkFeed near you
Ads are popping up all over the place, everywhere you turn. Well HTC is joining the ad parade by stating that they would be bringing ads to HTC’s BlinkFeed across several markets including the U.S., U.K., and Germany. These ads will be brought to users of BlinkFeed from the likes of Yahoo, Twitter, and “HTC auto promotions for new accessories or devices.”
In the press release found below, HTC did make mention that users will be able to opt out of the ads however, they gave everyone the old song and dance about “this way will help you discover new and useful apps and/or products and services.” Honestly, there are more than enough ads across devices, mobile or desktop, and it’s getting to a point where we need to cut it back just a bit.
It’s important to note that this rollout is a pilot, so right now we’re only testing and analyzing the effectiveness of this particular native format implementation. It’s too soon for us to say when or if these promotions will be rolled out to additional markets.
If you’re worried about some type of software update coming to your HTC device, don’t. BlinkFeed will automatically begin to populate, so there’s really no way of avoiding the inevitable until the ads begin appearing and you can opt out of them.
What are your thoughts on HTC bringing “un-intrusive” ads to your BlinkFeed? Is it a bit much or obtrusive, or is it something that should just be expected in the world of today? Let us know in the comment below.
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Facebook Hello 2.0 update brings notifications and more
Back in April Facebook’s Messenger team introduced Hello, a contacts app which syncs with your Facebook account and your phone’s contacts info making your phone smarter. Hello allows you to quickly see who’s calling, block unwanted calls, and search for people and places on Facebook. Hello also allows you to call and text people free via Messenger.
| Version 2.0 ushers in loads of updates. |
|---|
| Answer calls with one swipe with the new call card layout |
| Filter contacts to show only people with phone numbers |
| Access your Hello contacts in all your other apps |
| Change your contacts’ photos or sync them with Facebook |
| Get notifications for missed and blocked calls |
| Use Hello with two sim cards and choose which one to use to call |
| Easily create shortcuts on your home screen for your top contacts |
| Use Hello with right-to-left languages |
Along with the above features Hello is sporting a tweaked user interface. The initial release of Hello was extremely promising although it fell short of allowing me to completely replace my pre-installed contacts application. The biggest issues I had is that when adding a contact in Hello it would not be added in my stock contacts app. Also when a contact called the Hello screen was very slow and at time unresponsive. Furthermore when the call came in you had to swipe the hello app left or right which in return took you straight to your stock dialer screen.
With Hello I found myself missing a lot of calls due to the fact I first had to unlock my device then fiddle with the sluggish Hello user interface.
In version 2.0 that all has been changed with the new card layout. The card layout now allows you to answer a call with an easy responsive swipe. Facebook has been putting in extra work this week attempting to keep your attention on their social networking site. Earlier in the week releasing Moments a photo sharing competitor to Google’s photos and now the Hello update.
Hello is an intelligent well designed contacts application that utilizes Facebook extensive knowledge and what your friends share with you. Although Hello will only display information of the person who is calling you, as long as they have already shared it with you on Facebook. So unfortunately you still will receive calls that you want know who it is and un displayed contact photos .
Tell us what you think about Hello and if you are going to give it a try. Leave comments below.
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The Kodak IM5 is now available for purchase in Europe
Kodak’s first smartphone is here. The Kodak IM5 has been released today in the Netherlands after its’ announcement at CES 2015 in January. Available for $315 off contract, or free on contract with various carriers, this marks the Kodak’s entry into the smartphone market.
The UI of the Kodak IM5 is a bit different, as while it runs Android KitKat, the Kodak UI is simplified, aimed at consumers who are looking for “a smartphone that is easier to use than what they are currently using.” You could compare the default UI of Kodak’s IM5 to the simplified modes found on more and more Android devices across the smartphone market.
Kodak did mention that while the IM5 was released with Android KitKat, the device should see an update to Lollipop, however did not mention when users could see that update come to their devices. As for the specs, here’s the good ole’ list for you to check out:
- 5 Inch 720×1280 display
- 5MP front-facing camera
- 13 MP rear-facing camera with a unique image management software
- 1.7 GHz Octa-Core MediaTek processor
- 1GB of RAM
- 8GB of expandable storage
- 2100 mAh battery
These aren’t the most impressive specs, however, it’s not probable that Kodak was trying to fly high with the big boys with the IM5. The IM5 seems to be designed for the middle of the road or even lower end consumers that are looking for some type of entry device with a decent camera. The simplified UI could definitely appeal to some users out there who don’t want the “fancy” phones.
While released in the Netherlands today, Kodak did mention that the IM5 would become available across the globe, however it’s unknown when that statement will come to fruition. Let us know your thoughts on the Kodak UI and the Kodak IM5 in the comment section below.
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Airbus to build the world’s biggest satellite constellation
The OneWeb startup founded by Richard Branson’s Virgin and Qualcomm, has announced that it has awarded European aerospace giant Airbus a multi-billion dollar production contract for internet-beaming satellites. The company aims provide connectivity to underserved communities around the world through an enormous constellation of small satellites — each one only weighing about 150kg and costing under $500,000 to produce. Of the 900 units that Airbus is contracted to create, 700 of them will be launched by 2018. Once in orbit they’ll create a constellation 10 times larger than any other satellite set currently in orbit. The other 200 will be held on-planet as replacements and backups. Airbus will reportedly produce 10 initial satellites at its Toulouse manufacturing facility before moving the operation to an undisclosed American facility for the remainder of the program.
[Image Credit: Alamy]
Filed under: Science
Via: Reuters
Source: Airbus
Amazon doesn’t want states regulating courier drones
If you thought Amazon was already fighting tooth-and-nail for permission to fly delivery drones in the US, you haven’t seen anything yet. The internet shopping giant has warned a House oversight committee that states and cities “must not be allowed” to regulate unmanned aircraft that get the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval. There should be only one set of rules for airspace, purpose and qualifications, Amazon says. It’s not hard to see why the company would be nervous — it could be very tricky to run a nationwide courier drone service if some states have strict requirements or ban these services entirely.
It’s not certain how the committee will respond to the demands. With that said, Amazon is likely to keep up the pressure as long as possible. Remember how Jeff Bezos’ crew were desperate to avoid charging state sales taxes, and did so only when they had no real choice? Yeah. Amazon may well continue its struggle so long as there’s any chance of establishing a single American rulebook for robotic shipments.
Filed under: Robots, Transportation, Amazon
Source: Reuters
LG G4 will come with an extra battery and microSD card until June 30
LG announced today that they are continuing the promotion where the company is giving away an extra battery and microSD card with the purchase of an LG G4 until June 30.
Keep in mind that this promotion extension is specifically for the United States. The promotion was originally set to end on June 21.
If anything, this campaign is subtle jabs at other manufactures that have gone the way of Apple, refusing to offer support for external storage and a battery replaceable by the user.
While it’s sad to see external storage slowly become extinct on flagships, the battery issue isn’t much of a problem, considering that charging technology is getting better and better.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Either way, consumers still get to reap the rewards of LG’s campaign until June 30. Are you picking up LG’s latest flagship?
source: LG
Come comment on this article: LG G4 will come with an extra battery and microSD card until June 30
BitTorrent’s Shoot handles big file transfers between mobile devices
Sharing photographs and videos between Android, iOS, and Windows devices can be quite the hassle. Actually, even sharing those files within the same mobile operating system can be difficult. The company that aims to make the process easier with its new app, Shoot, has plenty of experience in file sharing. BitTorrent’s Shoot takes photos and video selected by the user and transforms them into a QR code. Friends, or anyone nearby, can use that QR code to download the files for themselves.
BitTorrent allows the first three sends for free and then asks for a one-time purchase of $2.99 to send anything more. Receiving, though, is always free.
Hit the break for the gallery, download links, and launch video.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source: BitTorrent
Come comment on this article: BitTorrent’s Shoot handles big file transfers between mobile devices
UE Roll – a round, water resistant, fun Bluetooth speaker for $99.99
I believe we can all agree UE makes some of the coolest looking portable Bluetooth speakers around. These accessories offer intricate, colorful designs and will stand out wherever you go. They are very unique, but I will have to say their latest product is likely the most interesting of the pack.
This is the UE Roll, a circular speaker that will definitely turn some heads. It measures 135 mm in diameter and 40 mm in height, so it is not exactly tiny, but small enough to carry around. Its strap helps you easily attach it to anything for easy handling. Because this is meant to be a speaker you carry around, it does offer 9 hours of battery life and Bluetooth wireless connectivity with a range of up to 65 feet.
So far my favorite feature is that you can use a couple UE Rolls together, though. Users can simply access the UE official application and team up with their friends to play music together, using both speakers simultaneously. And because the UE Roll offers 360-degree sound, the experience should be as immersive as they get.
It’s said to come with quite the sound quality, as well. We have to test it before passing judgement, but the specs sheet mentions volume raises to 85 dBA and it features a 108Hz-20kHz frequency range, which is nothing to scoff at.
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Oh, and the darn thing is waterproof! It is certified with an IPX7 rating, which means you can submerge it as deep as 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.
There is no denying the UE Roll is qute awesome, if you ask us. But as it goes with all UE speakers, this thing won’t exactly be cheap. It is priced at $99.99 and you can buy it straight from the Ultimate Ears website right now. It will also come to other retailers this month in the USA, Europe and Asia.
Who is buying?
Nissan turns old electric car batteries into fixed energy storage
Mercedes and Tesla aren’t the only electric car makers giving their batteries something to do besides getting you from A to B. Nissan is teaming up with Green Charge Networks to repurpose “second-life” (read: used) batteries from Leaf EVs as commercial energy storage. Much like the batteries you can buy for your home, the lithium-ion packs will help offices save money (and ideally, the environment) by storing cheap energy. Companies can charge up overnight to avoid painful peak electricity rates, for instance, or reserve power from solar and wind farms that would otherwise go to waste. The Leaf-based tech will see its first use at one of Nissan’s own facilities this summer, but we’d expect it to spread to other businesses in short order.
Filed under: Misc, Household, Transportation
Source: Nissan, Green Charge Networks
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