Deals: EC Technology and Kmashi power banks discounted on Amazon today
Amazon has a couple of deals on high-capacity external batteries today that you may want to check out if you’re looking for lots of power on the go.
EC Technology 22,400 mAh
First up is the EC Technology 2nd Gen Deluxe battery, with a capacity of 22,400 mAh. That’s enough to charge up most smartphones six or seven times, though the massive capacity comes with the inconvenience of having to carry almost a pound (435 grams) around. The EC Technology battery features three USB ports (2.4A, 2A, 1A) allowing you to charge a variety of devices, even at the same time.
According to the manufacturer description, the device should be good for 500+ charge cycles, which for a battery this size should be quite a lot of time. An added feature is an integrated LED flashlight, making this a good option for camping trips.
The EC Technology 22,400mAh power bank has an average score of 4.4 out of 5 stars and normally goes for $38.99. Applying the code MV76HD9U at checkout, will bring the price down to $28.99.
Kmashi 20,000 mAh
The Kmashi MP810 has a capacity of 20,000 mAh, weighs 450 grams, and features a bright azure glossy finish. Like the EC Technology model, this large battery should get you multiple charges for most smartphones and even tablets. However, the Kmashi MP810 only features two USB ports and you don’t get the integrated flashlight.
The Kmashi 20,000 mAh battery features a score of 4.2 out of 5 on Amazon and normally goes for $29.99. Applying the code LIKWGR6D at checkout will bring down the price to $19.99. That’s quite a bit less than the other battery, but as mentioned, the Kmashi is slightly less well featured.
Happy shopping!
Google Play update for Android TV makes 600+ apps easier to find
Today, Google has begun rolling out a new update to its Play Store for Android TV. With it comes an overhaul of the visual layout, which has been redesigned to help promote over 600 apps and games that had previously only been accessible with a specific search.
The idea behind the update is to increase accessibility to the huge range of apps available on the Android TV Play Store, many of which had previously been hidden away unless users already knew what they were looking for. The apps and games being promoted on the homepage aren’t necessarily new, but should now be brought to the attention of many more Android TV users. Previously, Android TV customers only saw a handful of promoted apps on the Google Play launch screen.
To further facilitate better accessibility to the extended library, Android TV apps are now arranged into 20 new categories: Everyday apps, sports central, for music lovers, stay informed, TV time, movies at home, top app and games, multiplayer games, TV remote games, exercise your mind games, stop the enemies games, choose an adventure games, aim and shoot games, no sweat workout games, role playing games, arcade fun games, get ready, fight games, great platformers games, racing and flying games, fun for everyone games.
As well as competition from other smartTV platforms, Google’s own popular Chromecast alternative is said to be detracting from specialized development for the Android TV platform. Google’s latest reshuffling of the way apps are presented to consumers seems like an attempt to help sell developers on the ecosystem.
Furthermore, earlier in the week Nvidia declared that dedicated applications from popular broadcasters could be heading to Android TV in the near future. These include HBO Go, USA Today and the Twitch game streaming service, although no specific dates were given. It seems that Google is still very keen on promoting and expanding Android TV.
The latest update for Android TV’s Play Store is already up and running, so you should notice an update download at some point today. Check out the new Google Play and let us know what you think of the changes.
Google revamps Android TV with over 600 new apps
Google is hoping to give Android TV a boost after updating the platform to make app discovery much easier, letting you find more than 600 ‘new’ apps that have previously been difficult to find. Our chums over at TechCrunch spotted the improvement, which will now organize the features into 20 collections that run from movies and sports through to multiplayer gaming. The software requires a 29MB update and if it’s not already on your device, it shouldn’t be long before it arrives. When we reviewed the Nexus Player last year, our biggest concern was the lack of app selection. This update, combined with the addition of things like broadcast TV support and Sling TV should hopefully push Android TV a lot closer to competing with the Rokus of this world.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, Google
Source: AndroidPolice, TechCrunch
London tests traffic lights that stay green for cyclists
Cycling is one of the quickest ways to get across London, and soon adaptive traffic lights could make pedal-power even faster. Transport for London (TfL) is testing a system that detects large groups of cyclists and, where possible, ensures the lights stay green for a little longer than usual. The problem being that during peak times — for instance, the morning and evening commute — tons of cyclists take to the streets, causing congestion at major junctions.
A trial at Cable Street on one of London’s “Cycle Superhighways” hopes to alleviate the problem with two systems — one radar-based and one with thermal imaging — that detect cyclists and judge whether the traffic lights should stay green. The hope is that the technology can be integrated into SCOOT, a London-wide system that constantly monitors traffic flow and optimises the lights accordingly. A further three trials are now being planned to determine how the two sensing technologies perform at different types of junctions. Should the system ever be rolled out across the city, it would no doubt be welcomed by bike-junkies, but it’s hard to imagine drivers being quite so keen.
[Image Credit: Mary Knox Merrill/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images]
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Transport for London
UK government department swaps Microsoft for Google
For the longest time, the UK government built its systems around Microsoft software. That’s still largely the case, but things have slowly changed as departments get to grips with the cloud, and companies like Google have planted their flag. The Register reports that Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has decided it’s time to make a clean break and has embraced the search giant’s cloud services, becoming the first major UK government department to shift away from Microsoft.
More than 70,000 employees will make the switch, joining 2,500 Cabinet Office users already on Gmail. Google’s obviously happy about it, with David Fitton, head of public sector sales for Google UK noting: “The acceptance by HMRC that they can store OFFICIAL information offshore in Google data-centres represents a major change and endorsement of Google’s approach to managing sensitive information.”
Of course, this is just one department, but HMRC is second-largest and arguably most-powerful government division. However, Microsoft still powers computers utilised by 450,000+ civil servants, and is still supporting their use of Windows XP. Still, it’s interesting that while HMRC will collect the so-called Google Tax from the UK’s biggest technology companies, it’ll now pay a smaller tax of its own.
[Image credit: HMRC, Flickr]
Filed under: Internet, Microsoft, Google
Source: The Register
Chrome will pause Flash plugins to improve laptop battery life
Future versions of Chrome for PC will automatically pause Flash plugins that the browser deems inessential, which should result in better battery life, faster performance, and improved stability.
Here’s how it works: Chrome detects the Flash plug-ins that load in a page and determines which plug-ins are central to the user experience and which are not. The former category includes, for instance, the main video in a post, while the latter may include ads and other stuff that the user probably doesn’t care about. Chrome will pause these non-essential Flash plugins, though users will be given the option to play them, should they want to.
The feature is already available in the latest stable Chrome version, in Privacy settings, but Google will soon set it on by default for all users. The feature will be activated on the beta channel first, and Google estimates that stable users should get it by September. Google has been working with Adobe, maker of Flash, to implement it.
Auto-playing Flash-based ads can be annoying, but Google is more worried about their effect on battery life and performance. Each Flash process that loads on a page uses up processor time, and over time, this has an impact on battery life. Google has not detailed what kind of improvements should we expect from the feature. Laptop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and Chromebook users will probably see the biggest benefit in battery life, but even desktop users may observe improvements in performance and stability.
Now, if only Google would do something about Chrome gobbling up RAM.
Lycos resurfaces with a smart Band and Ring
If you can recall a time before the dominance of Google then you may remember Lycos, a faded search engine and web portal from back in the 90’s. After spending some time in the background, the company is preparing for somewhat of a comeback, with a new range of wearable devices scheduled to launch next week.
Lycos is set to launch two devices next Monday and will simply be called the Band and Ring. As you no doubt guessed, the band is a familiar fitness band that can monitor your exercise, track your sleep, be used as an alarm, and can also use NFC to unlock your phone when the two are close by.
The Ring is missing the fitness tracking features and clearly doesn’t have a display to interact with either. Interestingly, the Ring is not powered by a normal battery, so doesn’t need charging up. The Band can apparently last 10 to 14 days between charges. The two devices are both water resistant and also contain a “personal security manager” and “Tap2Transfer capabilities”, but these features haven’t been fully detailed just yet.
The devices will be tied to an Android app named Lycos Life, which presumable handles the syncing of data in the usual fashion over Bluetooth. Lycos hasn’t revealed any extra details about its hardware or software at this stage, so we’re not sure exactly how in-depth the fitness tracking and security features will be or how these will stack up against the well established competition. However, Lycos has announced its Life Project, whereby the company will donate 5 percent of sales to provide free water and air quality sensors to families that need them.
The Lycos Band and Ring look set to be priced a little on the expensive side, with a price tag of $124.99 and $59.99 respectively. On the plus side, customers will have their choice of six different colors when the devices launch on June 8th.
New York sets rules for running Bitcoin exchange businesses
New York has finally issued an official set of rules for businesses that deal with Bitcoins. If you recall, New York Superintendent of Financial Services Benjamin M. Lawsky and his team have been writing and rewriting those regulations for the past two years, taking criticisms into account. Lawsky has announced the final list during a recent speech at the BITS Emerging Payments Forum in Washington, weeks before he steps down from his position. These rules require businesses to apply for a “BitLicense” from the Department of Financial Services if they want to operate in the Big Apple. The final version clarifies that only companies that offer financial services, such as money exchanges, are required to take out applications, though. Software developers, individuals and retailers can accept cryptocurrency payments without having to go through the process.
The rules also state that businesses won’t have to report every software update (unless it will significantly change their product/service) or to apply for BitLicense, if they already have a traditional money transmitter license. From the start, Lawsky maintained that the state wants to regulate Bitcoin-based businesses in order to avoid money laundering schemes and the like. “We simply want to make sure that we put in place guardrails that protect consumers and root out illicit activity — without stifling beneficial innovation,” he said during his speech.
While some entrepreneurs welcome the regulatory framework, as it will prove to customers that their businesses are legit, not everyone’s happy with the the final list. Jerry Brito, executive director of Bitcoin advocacy group Coin Center, told The Wall Street Journal that the BitLicense program creates “an unprecedented new state-level money laundering requirement.” He believes it’s discriminatory, as New York banks and regular money transmitters don’t have to follow a similar set of rules. His unhappiness is shared by a lot of people in the Bitcoin community, who are dismayed that Lawsky failed to address their concerns.
New York is the first state to heavily regulate Bitcoin exchanges, but other states might follow if the BitLicense turns out to be a success. If you want to know just how stringent New York’s rules are, check out this full set of regulations released by Lawsky’s department.
[Image credit: Getty/TimArbaev]
Filed under: Misc
Samsung taking potshots at iPhone again with “6 Is Greater Than 6” ads
Samsung’s rise to the top of the smartphone industry was thanks, in no small part, to very smart marketing. Especially in the United States, Samsung effectively portrayed its flagships as the hip alternatives to Apple’s boring old iPhones. The “Next Big Thing” campaign was so successful that in 2013 Apple’s marketing boss told Tim Cook a new advertising agency was needed to fend off Samsung’s attacks.
Following on the massive success of its original anti-Apple commercials, Samsung has been churning out new spots making fun of Apple ever since. The latest batch is called “6 Is Greater Than 6” and sees the Galaxy S6 Edge pitched against the iPhone 6.
Samsung focuses on the unique features of its Edge device, contrasting them to the plainness of Apple’s smartphone. “Check out the edge of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge,” reads the copy. “It displays colors when your top five contacts call. The edge of the iPhone 6 displays nothing. But it has a vibrate function,” the mocking continues.
The second ad is in the same vein, but highlights wireless charging and wide-angle selfies, two features lacking from the iPhone 6.
These ads show why Samsung has been working to add production capacity for the Galaxy S6 Edge. The dual-curved screen of the Edge is highly distinctive, and people love it. According to Counterpoint data, only supply problems kept the S6 Edge from outselling its flat sibling.
After years of the same basic designs, Samsung found a way to make its phone stand out in the crowd, and customers are gobbling it up. That’s the reason why Samsung is reportedly planning to release a larger version of the S6 Edge called Galaxy S6 Plus. With a dual-curve screen of 5.5 to 5.7 inches, the S6 Plus is expected to land sometime this summer.
Samsung is keen to offer the Edge concept in more size options, and again portray itself as the hot new thing that cool kids give up their iPhones for. But will that bring its mojo back? Let us know your thoughts.
Vodafone and Virgin Media may team up to take down BT and Sky
With BT currently in the process of acquiring EE and Sky expanding into mobile, the UK is set for media consolidation. Consumers are set to benefit as providers fight for their money, but it’s also put a lot of pressure on other providers to expand their offerings. One provider feeling the heat is Vodafone, which has suggested it will expand beyond telecoms. The operator confirmed today that it’s in the “early stages” of talks with Liberty Global, owner of Virgin Media, over the “possible exchange of selected assets between the two companies.”
Vodafone doesn’t note how a potential “transaction” would play out but it is keen to express that discussions will not focus on a merger. However, it’s highly likely that the “assets” will include Virgin Media, which was only acquired by Liberty Global in February 2013. After all, BT, TalkTalk and Sky all have established TV and internet services and Vodafone does not. “There is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed,” notes Vodafone in a press release. “Nor is there certainty with respect to which assets will ultimately be involved.” Virgin Media would be a good fit for Vodafone, even if it’s just making a return to broadband — we’ll just have to see how this plays out.
Filed under: Wireless, Internet, Mobile
Source: Vodafone
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