Alcatel OneTouch and Cyanogen decide to scrap the Hero 2+
Looks like we aren’t going to see the Alcatel OneTouch Hero 2+ get released anytime soon, or ever. Alcatel OneTouch and Cyanogen have both announced they will not release the phone after all.
The companies released the following joint statement:
ALCATEL ONETOUCH and Cyanogen, Inc. have made a mutual decision to forgo the release of the HERO 2+. At its announcement, the goal of bringing this device to market was to offer the most advanced hardware and software at an affordable price. The bar was set high and unfortunately the device does not have a clear Android 5.1 upgrade path. We therefore are committing to refocus our joint efforts on a next-generation product that can exceed the expectations of end users. Our teams remain dedicated to releasing an ALCATEL ONETOUCH device powered by Cyanogen OS, and are looking to share an update when we have more details to share.
Alcatel OneTouch and Cyanogen do have plans to release a new device together, but the Hero 2+ just isn’t it.
It’s a sad day for those expecting a new device that was backed by Cyanogen but the statement does show a commitment to making a quality device.
Come comment on this article: Alcatel OneTouch and Cyanogen decide to scrap the Hero 2+
Virtual reality sci-fi movie coming to Android on August 3rd
Although still a tiny portion of the mobile device market, virtual reality devices continue to get a lot of attention from the industry. If consumers are going to invest in the technology good content is needed and Roddenberry Entertainment, a media group established by none other than Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, is hoping a new project will answer that call. They are slated to release a new “movie” called White Room: 02B3 that will actually be an app providing a 360-degree view, will be interactive, and will target VR headsets.
According to a release from Roddenberry Entertainment:
“White Room: 02B3 is the story of six strangers who suddenly awaken in a white room and eventually find out that they are unwilling participants in an experiment that could change the face of humanity forever. The film, which has already won film festival awards both domestically and internationally, stars a variety of genre recognizable talent including Breckin Meyer, Tamlyn Tomita, David Blue, Rachel True and Doug Jones, as well as Internet icons Tony Janning and Milynn Sarley.”
When released, the app is slated to run $2.99 in the Google Play Store, although the Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift specific versions will not be released until later. You can check out a virtual reality enabled version of a trailer using the source link below. We have also provided the YouTube trailer for the “movie” which you may note was released a couple years ago if that gives you any feel for the time it has taken to make this a reality.
Click here to view the embedded video.
source: White Room: 02B3 immersive trailer
via: Android Central
Come comment on this article: Virtual reality sci-fi movie coming to Android on August 3rd
You can pick up the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 and Tab A 9.7 for $30 less
The mid-range Galaxy Tab A 8.0 and 9.7 released in March are now on a $30 sale. The 8-inch model is now priced at $200 and the 9.7-inch model at $270. The colors available are white, smoky blue and smoky titanium. The S Pen variant of the 9.7 inch model which went on sale later in May unfortunately did not get a price cut and remains at $350. The two tablets were quite a disappointment as they came with old specs, such their 1024X768 resolution screen. Even with the price cut, you are better off spending a little more and getting a Nexus 9 with a QuadHD screen for $399 and far more better specs than getting any of these tablets. Otherwise, if you’re looking to spend less than $300 for a tablet with Lollipop then these could be right for you.
Source: GSMarena
Come comment on this article: You can pick up the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 and Tab A 9.7 for $30 less
Famed hacker Mudge leaves Google to help Obama
Famous security researcher and hacker Peiter Zatko, a.k.a., Mudge has created quite a stir on Twitter by announcing his departure from Google to set up a software transparency body to help the Obama administration.
“Goodbye Google ATAP, it was a blast. The White House asked if I would kindly create a #CyberUL, so here goes!,” @dotMudge said in one of his tweets posted on June 29.
Immediately after his first tweet, he was bombarded with congratulatory messages, including the ones assuming that the former “L0pht” member was going to join the White House for his new gig.
Mudge was quick to clarify in his next tweet that he wasn’t going to join the White House.
“The new gig is not in the Whitehouse. Thanks for the encouragement. It’s all very exciting! I’ll be out of pocket as I move back east,” he tweeted.
While there has been no official word detailing Zatko’s new role at the White House, sources revealed that he might be planning to set up a government-funded non-profit organization devoted to software security.
It is not the first time that Zatko will be working with the United States government. He has helped the research arm of the U.S. Department of Defense, DARPA, to fend off cyber attacks during his stint as a program manager there in 2010. He also created Cyber Fast Track Program that lets private security researchers and hackers get funded by the government to improve the security of military systems.
Source: @dotmudge (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Famed hacker Mudge leaves Google to help Obama
Sony launches “First Flight” to encourage employee innovation and invention
Sony has announced a new phase in their Seed Acceleration Program, “First Flight” which merges crowdfunding and e-commerce site features to help promote ideas and products generated internally by Sony employees. The Seed Acceleration Program is Sony’s means for encouraging new business ideas by employees and if good enough, eventually transforming them into a full-fledged business. The new First Flight initiative is meant to help “move people emotionally through innovation” by connecting creators with possible customers.
Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai says,
“Sony’s innovation is ingrained in the company’s founding spirit of `doing what has never been done before.’ Nothing embodies this spirit more than passionate entrepreneurs who give shape to their ground-breaking ideas and introduce them to the world, without fear of failure. The First Flight platform and other Seed Acceleration Program initiatives accelerate and optimize this process. Sony itself originated as a start-up, and through the Seed Acceleration Program we are challenging ourselves to return to our entrepreneurial roots. At Sony we will continue to explore ways of delivering new, emotionally compelling experiences and enhanced customer value.”
To help mark the public launch of First Flight, albeit only in Japan for now, two projects are in the e-commerce stage and one project has launched a crowdfunding effort to see whether there is enough interest. The first product available is MESH, which is described as a “smart DIY kit” to help users become inventors of their own gadgets. Through First Flight, interested consumers can also place an order for the FES Watch, an e-paper based smartwatch. Finally, crowdfunding has commenced for the e-paper based HUIS Remote Controller that will change based on what a user wants to control.
source: Sony First Flight (site), Sony First Flight (press release)
Come comment on this article: Sony launches “First Flight” to encourage employee innovation and invention
YouTube mobile app now supports 60fps video
Mobile device users looking for the smooth video performance of high frame rate videos will be glad to know that Google is bringing support for 60fps video to the YouTube app on both Android and iOS. Support for HFR video has slowly been added to the YouTube ecosystem, starting with the addition on the desktop last fall. This May YouTube added support for HFR to their live streaming service. The next step in the expansion of HFR support was announced yesterday by the YouTube Creators team as support will now be included in the YouTube app on mobile devices.
source: YouTube Creators (Google+)
via: Engadget
Come comment on this article: YouTube mobile app now supports 60fps video
Facebook has a new logo, but the differences are subtle
Facebook’s last logo update came in 2005, but this year, the folks in Menlo Park felt it was time for a change. While the iconic white “f” and blue square will remain, places where the full name is used will see this new wordmark. Working with Eric Olson of Process Type Foundry, Facebook’s in-house designers created custom lettering to make the logo “feel more friendly and approachable,” according to creative director Josh Higgins. Olson’s Klavika typeface was used in the current mark, and collaborating with him makes sense given the changes. “While we explored many directions, ultimately we decided that we only needed an update, and not a full redesign,” Higgins explained. That decision seems like a good move, since the current logo is so recognizable after 10 years of use.
Filed under: Internet, Facebook
Via: The Verge
Source: Christoph Tauziet (Twitter), Brand New
6 futuristic building technologies that will change the world
By Cat DiStasio
Technology progresses at a breakneck pace — but why is our built environment so far behind? Fortunately, some smart folks have devoted their lives to developing futuristic technologies that can reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, make them more energy-efficient, and lower maintenance costs. In just the past few years, researchers have developed self-healing structures, revolutionary heating and cooling systems and buildings that eat smog. Read on to find out about those cool building technologies and a few more.
Linux Learner Bundle
Linux, the operating system on which Android was built, is an attractive alternative to many developers and tech-savvy user who can’t get their kicks from Windows or OSX. Designed for open-source distribution, Linux was developed in 1991 and remains one of the most prominent examples of free software available. If you’re one of the folks that craves something “more” and have a desire to grow and learn, Linux is probably for you.
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‘iPhone 6s’ to Support Faster Download Speeds With Improved Qualcomm LTE Modem
Following a report yesterday that the next-generation “iPhone 6s” will appear essentially identical to the current lineup of iPhones with a few minor internal differences, an unnamed source has shared new photos of logic board from the device with 9to5Mac, revealing an updated Qualcomm LTE chip offering faster LTE speeds and greater energy efficiency.
Specifically, the next iPhone will carry a Qualcomm MDM9635M chip — also referred to as the “9X35″ Gobi modem platform — and it aims to give the iPhone 6s a significant increase in performance over the current 9X25 used in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
For everyday users, this gives the potential for significant increases in LTE network performance with download speeds of up to 300 Mbps, twice that of the current iPhone line. Real-world limitations of carrier support will, however, limit those speed improvements in many cases.
The new Qualcomm chip, which was announced in 2013 and came to market last year, is also more power efficient. This power efficiency combined with the possibility of a slimmer motherboard could give the iPhone 6s some improvement in battery life this year.
As shared yesterday, the iPhone 6s will appear nearly identical to the iPhone 6, which is typical for Apple’s “S” generation iPhones. Apple will, however, be including a number of enhancements for the device, from the faster LTE modem to a Force Touch display and perhaps the “biggest camera jump ever.”
AIVAnet 