Apple’s iPod Touch gets the same chip as the iPhone 6
The iPod may not be Apple’s golden goose anymore, hell, it’s not even an option on the company’s site anymore, but that doesn’t mean that the firm is ignoring it. The company is giving the iPods a seasonal refresh with the junior devices getting some new colors and the iPod Touch getting more of the features we’re used to seeing on the iPhone. Whereas the existing Touch came with just a 5-megapixel camera, the new version gets an 8-megapixel shooter with burst and slo-mo — just as you’d find on the iPad Air 2. Internals-wise, the new iPod comes with the 64-bit A8 CPU that you find in the iPhone 6, paired with the M8 motion co-processor that’ll please the fitness enthusiast in your life.
If you were looking to grab the new iPod Touch, then the 16GB edition will set you back $199. In addition, you can grab a 32GB option for $249, a 64GB variant priced at $299 and, for the first time, a 128GB model that’ll sell for $399. At the same time, Apple also added the same space gray, silver and gold color options to the iPod nano and iPod shuffle ranges, should you prefer something smaller to take with you on your morning jog.
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Apple
Source: Apple
The Remix Mini is the world’s first true Android-powered PC
The Remix Mini is a new Android-powered PC built by Jide Tech, a company built by three former Google employees. They’ve started a Kickstarter project for the mini PC, already surpassing their goal of $50,000 by an additional $20,000 with 44 days left to go.
By being an early backer, you can get one yourself for just $20.
The Remix Mini comes in two versions. Both sport a 1.2GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, however, one has 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage while the other touts 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The former is aimed at consumers for general use, such as streaming blockbuster movies. The latter is marketed towards business professionals not wanting to spend a lot on new office equipment, while keeping maximum productivity at the forefront.
The Android-powered PC also features an HDMI port with support up to 4K resolution, an ethernet port, Wi-Fi connectivity, and Bluetooth 4.0. It’s also running Jide’s custom engineered Remix OS, based off of Android Lollipop. If you’re interested in picking up the Remix Mini, head over to the source link below–units begin shipping in October.
source: Kickstarter
Come comment on this article: The Remix Mini is the world’s first true Android-powered PC
Sonos’ limited-edition Play:1 has a design that’s meant to blend in
Following its collaboration with Blue Note Records, Sonos has a new pair of limited-edition Play:1 speakers. The Play:1 Tone takes the same great audio quality we’ve experienced from the gear and drapes it in an all-white or all-black soft-touch shell. It may not be as visually striking as the Blue Note device, but that’s kind of the point. It’ll certainly blend in a bit better with your existing home furnishings or living room (or multi-room) tech as black and white speaker grills replace the silver/gray on the regular Play:1. Sonos just released an update for the Play:1 too, delivering improved audio that better complements a Sub when they’re used in the same setup. There’s only about 5,000 of each color, so if you’re already planning to nab one, you’ll want to act quickly when they hit the Sonos store on July 21st at 10AM CET for folks in Europe and 1PM ET for shoppers in the US and Canada. If you’re fast enough claim one, expect to shell out $250 ($280 CAD, €250 and £220) when the time comes.
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Source: Sonos
Pushbullet gets updated, brings better SMS experience
Pushbullet is needed for those who like to share media and sync notifications between devices. The service offers a quick and easy method in which users can “push” data such as pictures, videos, files, links and even just notes. Its most convenient feature syncs a users notifications from their mobile device directly to their computer and allows him/her to respond to incoming SMS messages. And today Pushbullet received an update to improve the SMS experience.
The new update brings a new organized way of sending SMS from your computer and picking up right where you left off on your mobile device. There is a better layout that contains a full messaging experience for your PC or Mac. Users can now choose who they want to message and have a full conversation with them just like you would on your mobile device. When done, everything gets simultaneously synced to your phone. Users can also have more than one conversion at once and it’s as easy as expanding the window.
Source: Pushbullet
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Dear Veronica: Your passport to love
Happy Wednesday, everyone! This week, we’re kicking things off with a video question from Lucas. He has a romantic rendezvous that he needs to get to, stat, and he has some questions about the passport and travel process!
Also today, we talk about using external drives for keeping your music sessions safe, and we poll you about whether or not kids should be allowed to swear. Answer below, and make sure you keep those questions rolling into #DearVeronica on social media, or via email. See you next time!
What are your thoughts on potty-mouthed kiddies?
Filed under: Storage
WiFi is going to get a lot smarter with WiFi Aware
WiFi Aware is a new technology that allows multiple WiFi devices to communicate with other nearby devices without needing an internet connection. The devices will always be broadcasting small amounts of information which will allow applications on other devices to pick up what is going on. For example a store could be pushing out coupons to those around it before making a regular WiFi connection or having the lights turn on the second you come home from work when you connect to your home WiFi.
This is the first of many new technologies that push for smaller connections that are connected to the larger Internet of Things (IOT). With WiFi Aware a key principle is users don’t want to be drowned in information about everything around them. Instead users have full control over what they are alerted to as well as the data that they are sending out to other devices. WiFi Aware devices will understand all the other devices around them, but only connect to relevant ones.
Two major concerns are privacy and battery life. Edgar Figueroa the President of the WiFi Alliance, says WiFi Aware consumes much less energy than traditional WiFi and is very power efficient. Privacy wise the apps that use the service have opt in and opt out settings. Plus there is no internet connection using the service which gives a little more protection.
WiFi Aware products are not available yet, but Broadcom, Intel, Marvel and Realtek are already working on chips for future devices. It is expected that social networks could have applications with WiFi Aware out by the end of the year.
Source: Wi-Fi
Via: Androidauthority
Come comment on this article: WiFi is going to get a lot smarter with WiFi Aware
Microsoft has a TwinsOrNot app for Windows Phone devices
Microsoft’s been big on facial recognition lately. After promising that the technology can be used as a log-in option for Windows 10, it launched a website that guesses your age based on your features (HowOld.net) and another that takes a stab at whether the people in two different photos are twins (TwinsOrNot.net). More recently, the company has launched a mobile app version of TwinsOrNot for Windows Phone devices. You know, for those times when you quickly need to know if your power brows really make you look like Cara Delevingne. Or if you and your BFF are slowly morphing into a single person like Zooey Deschanel and Katy Perry in the image above.
Just like the website, the app allows you to upload your own pics straight from your device or to search Bing, in case you’re specifically looking for celebrity photos. TwinsOrNot was built using a set of APIs under Project Oxford within just a few hours to prove that it’s easy to incorporate machine learning into apps. It was designed to get better the more you use it, so long as you allow it to keep the photos you upload, but you can always choose to have it delete your images after use.
Source: Windows Phone
Andoer 5W Bluetooth 3.0 Speaker review
W
hen I got the chance to spend some time with this Andoer Bluetooth speaker, I imagined I’d get it out of the box and wear that awkward frown we’ve all made when let down by the over promise/under deliver marketing philosophy lots of third-party accessory manufacturers seem to live by. I’m happy to say that I was wrong! This little Bluetooth unit is the real deal, bubba.
Pitched as a companion for bathrooms, beaches or bike rides, the Andoer boasts a water-resistant, shockproof and dustproof body. The form factor is convenient and the build quality feels better than what I expected for under $20. Anybody who has operated a bicycle with headphones on knows the sense of detachment from one’s surroundings that accompanies most earbuds. With the included seat post clamp, this unit becomes a must-buy for avid cyclists in need of tunes that won’t impair their awareness. You’ll be able to hear the road and still enjoy that new Fetty Wap.
Sound quality was massively impressive. I did not expect such a powerful decibel level from a speaker unit with a circumference smaller than most Black & White cookies. This baby is loud and clear. The included suction cup mount turned a routine shower into a suds-filled dance party. While I’d recommend taking it easy on busting moves in a slippery tub, you will not want to go back to bathing in silence after using the Andoer Bluetooth speaker.
I found the battery life to be completely serviceable and about on-par with its competitors. I was able to get a couple solid hours of playback before needing to charge it via the USB port. I will warn you, the suction cup is difficult to remove from the wall. Perhaps this is just my experience on tile but be careful as it’s probably stronger than you are.
Overall, I loved this little guy. If we were talking about a $75 or $50 piece of hardware, I could probably find some faults but at just $17.66 there is not a complaint I can imagine anyone having. Powerful audio, convenient size and an affordable price make the Andoer 5W Bluetooth Speaker a bonafide winner in my book.
Shop for the Andoer 5W Bluetooth 3.0 Speaker on Amazon
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Kurosuke Adventure : a game that should still be in beta
When I first checked out Kurosuke Adventure on Google Play, I had very high hopes for this game. In some ways, the app was able to meet my expectations. In other ways, it did not. In this review, I will highlight the positives of this game while recognizing the areas in which it needs work.
Kurosuke Adventure Overview
This is a game by Korean app publisher APPZIL. Their Google Play page describes Kurosuke Adventure as follows.
Check out an exciting running game, Kurosuke Adventure!
Welcome to the Kurosuke Adventure world.
We will explore amazing ‘Reverse’ helping our hero searching for the treasure.
-
The game in entirely new ways.
It’s not just running -
Simple handling
Enjoy the thrill of the game using one -touch! -
Turn the frustration into hope!
Experience awesome experiences going back and forth between hell and fevertime -
More than 10 types of characters full of charm.
Make your own hero with characters full of strong sense of individuality -
More than 20 types of pets having lots stories to tell
The pets, cute and full of stories, support our hero. -
More than 40 types of cards having magical ability
Raise your ability using the card drawn the pictures of cute and charming dusts. -
More than 40 types of achievements
Pump up your achievement score by challenging yourself to various achievement connecting to
GooglePlayGameService.
Can you find the ultimate treasure with the hero?
Then, shall we kick off our journey for the treasure?
The game itself has a cutesy Anime feel about it. This is one of my favorite features. I love the look and feel of this game. Where I take issue is just about everywhere else.
The first thing that you’ll notice when you start the game is that the tutorial is very confusing. The English translations are not up to par and the tutorial progresses faster than you can read. Worst of all, the objective is not clear at all. I should have suspected something when I read the game description.
Once the tutorial is over you start running. Whenever you touch the screen, gravity will be reversed. There are various items for you to grab, candies, stars, coins, power-ups, and letters. As far as I can tell, the candies are for points, the coins are to purchase upgrades and companions, and the stars are for greater points. When the letters you collect or eat, spell out the words FEVERTIME, you go to a bonus level where you collect a bunch of points for some reason or another.
If you fall out of the world, then you go to Hell and have to avoid the Grim Reaper while finding the portal back to your world. The upside here is that you actually re-enter the world at an earlier point. So, if you were to miss a powerup then you could travel back in time to get it. This is one of the more interesting game mechanics, but it can be more confusing than usefull at times.
To me, the coins should be your priority because they allow you to purchase upgrades, characters and companions. Unfortunately, all these things are expensive and take a while to get.
In order to run through the level, you need to eat power-ups that give you energy, otherwise you will not finish the level. I never finished it even once. The level does change up a bit every now and then, but it feels like your running through the same level over and over again.
By the way, this video explains more than the actual game does in regards to the story.
Kurosuke Adventure Setup
Luckily the setup is easy. Just purchase the app on Google Play and install on your phone. The tutorial will kick in and the confusion will start.
Who will enjoy Kurosuke Adventure
If you enjoy doing the same mindless repetitions over and over, then you will love this game. If you love animes, mangas, and/or manhuas, then you will like it at least on some level. If you’re not into either, then you will not enjoy this game on any level.
What we liked
- Visual style of the game
- Game soundtrack
- Concept
What could be better
- English translations
- Game mechanics
- Better tutorial
Overall
I think this game has a lot of potential and if the developer hires a better translator, improves the tutorial, and improves the gameplay, I think this could be a really great game. But at this point Kurosuke Adventure feels more like a beta than a finished product that you charge $1.99 for.
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T-Mobile is amping the deal for family plans
These days it’s typical that the data associated with carrier family plans are shared. While it may work for some families, others with more data-hungry members may result in complication and overages. As of late, T-Mobile has been looking at how to aid specific pain-points in the industry, and this stab to the carrier family plan strategy is the latest.
Today, T-Mobile is launching a family plan offer that allows 4 members to get 10GB of data each for a total of $120/month. Another way to look at it is $30 a line, which is a crazy deal when you consider that lines start at $50/month with only 1GB of data.
T-Mobile comes up with that total $120/month price as a result of making the 4th line free. The base deal is really $100 for 2 lines and $20 for each line after that.
And if someone on the plan needs more data, it’s $10/month extra to double the data to 20GB, per line. This all of course includes Simple Choice benefits, such as unlimited talk/text, no data count for music streaming, data roll-over, and no charge in Mexico or Canada.
But this pricing is in fact a promotion, not permanent. It is available until September 7th. Is this enough to move you out of your current shared plan?
Source: T-Mobile
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