Canadian city app has a voice assistant powered by Watson
Watson can beat human Jeopardy players, help people cook, critique their writing — and apparently, it can even help the citizens of Surrey, British Columbia with their everyday life. Software developer Purple Forge has tapped into the supercomputer’s capabilities to give the Canadian city’s app the capacity to answer spoken questions asked in natural language. Fast Company has dubbed the new My Surrey feature “Siri for cities,” and it can answer queries about parking, waste collection and animal control (such as “Why wasn’t my trash picked up this morning?” and “How many dogs can I keep on my property?”), among other municipal services.
While residents can ask the app whatever they want, it also has a frequently asked questions section for easy browsing. Since My Surrey is available for iPhones, iPads, Android devices and even Apple Watches, the local government’s hoping it can reduce calls made to city services, considering most people have access to smartphones these days. Purple Forge CEO Brian Hurley claims other Canadian municipalities want in on the Watson action, as well, so don’t be surprised if other local apps in the country debut their own voice assistant in the future.
[Image credit: Atomic Taco/Flickr]
Via: Fast Company
Source: Purple Forge, My Surrey app
Starbucks’ Lyft deal has you earning coffee with every ride
Starbucks isn’t done lining up deals with tech-savvy companies — not by a longshot. The coffee chain has unveiled a partnership with Lyft that will reward just about everyone. As a passenger, you’ll earn points (that is, Stars) at Starbucks every time you hail a Lyft ride. Yes, you could travel to a business meeting and get a free drink when you arrive. You can even gift a cup o’ joe to your driver, if you like. Those drivers will also get Starbucks’ Gold perk status as a matter of course, and they’ll earn Stars for every ride they offer. Baristas might see some benefits, too, as Starbucks is testing a program that would give employees Lyft rides when mass transit isn’t an option. The alliance is only effective in the 65 US cities that Lyft covers, but it could prove tempting if you just can’t get enough grande lattes.
Filed under: Transportation, Internet
Source: Starbucks Newsroom
Get ready, 360-degree video ads are coming to YouTube
We knew these were well on their way, and the time has come. Google is ready to take YouTube video advertising to the next level by introducing support for 360-degree video ads.
This peculiar interactive videos were introduced to the most popular video streaming service in the world just last March. Since then, we have seen a plethora of content creators put together great ways to interact with their viewers. Multi-directional video takes advantage of the ability to drop the spectator right in the middle of the video, giving him a first-person perspective of any situation.
These 3D ads became available today in Chrome, as well as the Android and iOS YouTube apps. Whenever you encounter one of these commercials, simply drag the image with your cursor, or move your smartphone around to experience the content in a much more realistic manner.
Google has been testing this for some time with major brands like Coca-Cola and Nike, achieving amazing results. It turns out Coca-Cola’s 360-degree video on the 100th birthday of their bottle design achieved in stream view-through rates of 36%, which is very high compared to standard expectations.
Bud Light is now entering the game, becoming the first advertiser to run 360-degree TrueView video in YouTube. The ad throws you right into the party at Whatever, USA. Want to check it out? Here’s the video!
Those interested in making 360-degree video will need a Ricoh Theta, Kodak SP360, Giroptic 360cam or IC Real Tech Allie. Start creating your content with these cameras and follow Google’s steps to upload your videos. Then you can set up TrueView ads in AdWords.
Some believe YouTube has been going a bit too nuts with ads the past years. I can’t really argue against that. Advertising has never been too fun, but I, for one, will be more excited about seeing an interactive commercial like this one. Do you think it will be an annoyance to see much more complex 360-degree commercials before watching your favorite YouTube videos? Will it hurt or improve your experience? Let us know in the comments!
Chrome for iOS talks to smart devices through the web
Your iPhone just became a better remote control for the internet of things. Google has released Chrome 44 for iOS, which lets you see Physical Web devices (think smart parking meters and vending machines) in iOS’ Today view — you don’t need to run specialized apps or open the browser just to see gadgets around you. It’s still a worthwhile upgrade even if you don’t live around compatible gadgets, since you can finally use Safari-style horizontal swipes to flip back and forth through web pages. Either way, you’ll definitely want to swing by the App Store if Chrome is your surfing software of choice.
Filed under: Cellphones, Household, Internet, Mobile, Google
Via: VentureBeat
Source: Google Chrome Releases, App Store
Google Keep update gets rid of floating action button
The floating action button (otherwise known as FAB) was all he hype when Google announced Android 5.0 Lollipop and introduced Material Design standards. Google wanted everyone to adopt it, but it seems not even they are that into it anymore. The latest update to the Google Keep Android app gets completely rid of it!
This upgrade brings the Keep app up to version 3.1.294.00, and so far it seems this may be the only significant change in the interface. For those who may not know what we are talking about, the floating action button is that bubble you often see in the lower-right corner of some Google apps. It’s usually a shortcut for starting a message, reaching contacts and other handy tasks.
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I happen to like the floating action button’s look, but I must accept it was a bit confusing. Before getting used to it, I kept looking all over the app, trying to figure out how to create a note. Then I would remember about that FAB and get on with what I was doing. I am not saying you can’t get used to it, it’s just not as intuitive.
The new layout offers a less exciting, yet much easier to understand, bar at the bottom of the app. It allows you to take a note, create a list, record a sound or upload a picture. And it manages to get rid of unnecessary steps.
As it goes with these OTA updates, Google should be rolling out the improvements periodically. If you don’t see the update show up in the Google Play Store, just sit tight and you should see it soon enough. Alternatively, you can go ahead and install the apk file here.
Would you agree with me that the floating action button was a bit confusing and non-intuitive? Sound off in the comments to let us know!
Sony’s Concept for Android could mean stock Android UI for Xperia devices soon
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Avid Android fans are always clamouring for devices to use more stock Android-oriented user interfaces, and on this occasion, it appears Sony is listening. Sony, like many other manufacturers, theme the UI on their mobile devices to add to their branding, much at the behest of Android’s most loyal. However, with Sony’s Concept for Android program, the manufacturer is looking at a new UI with a “stripped back, vanilla Android look and feel”, presumably one day destined for its Xperia devices – and we have to say, we like what we see. Check it out in greater detail below:
Xperia device owners: don’t get too excited just yet. Sony has only just started testing the new UI, asking for the help of 500 Xperia Z3 users in Sweden to not only test the UI itself, but also as a way for Sony to gauge how useful this kind of initiative is for future developments. If you are an Xperia Z3 owner in Sweden, there’s still time to sign up to try this out – all you have to do is sign up through this site. We like this direction that Sony is taking and we hope more manufacturers start to take this more proactive approach of engaging with their customers on contentious issues.
What do you think about Sony’s Concept for Android? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Sony Mobile via XperiaBlog
The post Sony’s Concept for Android could mean stock Android UI for Xperia devices soon appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Expect more electronic music on Spotify with new Beatport deal
Most of the time, people searching for music from DJs look to Beatport first. The service specializes in electronic music, EDM, or whatever else the cool kids are calling it these days. Spotify, though, could soon receive attention from these people because of its deal with Beatport’s parent company.
The agreement between Spotify and SFX is a content distribution deal that will give the music streaming service access to what is no longer Beatport’s exclusive programming. This means that Spotify gains new music releases as well as programming from festivals and events all relating to the electronic music genre.
Spotify will also launch a “unique program” using Beatport’s brand and editorial voice. Details regarding that program are unknown, but it could be hinting at a setup similar to what Apple Music and Beats 1. Spotify is already considering changes to pricing after Apple Music’s launch; fighting Apple with content seems like the best next move.
SFX and Spotify Partner to Create Electronic Music Destination on Spotify
Beatport to curate new music and video presence on Spotify, including exclusive footage from SFX festivals
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SFX Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFXE) and leading music streaming service Spotify today announced a content distribution deal involving music and video content from SFX’s Beatport, including exclusive music releases previously available only on Beatport and programming from SFX festivals and events. The collaboration will bring Beatport’s brand and editorial voice to a unique program on Spotify, and marks the first partnership of its kind between Spotify and another music streaming service.
As the largest global producer of live events and digital entertainment content focused on electronic music culture (EMC) and world-class festivals, SFX has a wealth of music and video content to supply EMC and festival fans. SFX also owns Beatport, the global home of electronic music for over a decade and the premier destination for electronic music fans.
Beatport, which began in 2004 as an online music store for DJs, has developed into a global platform where fans, DJs, and creators alike can connect, discover, and participate in the evolution of the culture. The company recently launched a new music streaming service on the web and via mobile apps (http://Beatport.com/apps) with a vast catalog of high-definition dance tracks from the world’s top and emerging electronic artists, much of it exclusive only to Beatport.
Also recently launched, the new Beatport Live web broadcasting platform has hosted exclusive content from several of SFX’s most iconic festivals, including Mysteryland USA live from Bethel Woods, NY; Sensation’s 15th anniversary show in Amsterdam and the Awakenings Festival, also in Amsterdam. This coming weekend of July 24-26, Beatport Live will also broadcast from the world-renowned Tomorrowland Festival in Boom, Belgium.
From the latest tracks by rising stars in electronic music to video coverage of live events to highly curated playlists from Beatport’s team of experts, Beatport on Spotify will host a variety of premium and exclusive content from the epicenter of electronic music culture.
“We are thrilled to be operating a Beatport presence within Spotify and providing our unique content around all things EMC to the Spotify audience,” said Greg Consiglio, President and CEO of Beatport. “They will be the first to access the latest need-to-know exclusive electronic music from Beatport and will also be able to watch to a mix of original festival and event video content.” Consiglio added that Beatport is building out its content network with a variety of distribution partners, but Spotify will be the only partner to gain exclusive access to Beatport’s new music exclusives.
Since the launch of its streaming service and mobile apps earlier this year, Beatport now has more than 5 million registered users and dedicated fans of electronic music worldwide. Beatport adds about 25,000 new tracks a week through relationships with over 43,000 independent and major labels and has paid over $181 million to rights holders and electronic music creators since 2004.
Spotify has more than 20 million paying subscribers and more than 75 million active users. Since its launch in 2008, Spotify has paid over $3 billion to rights holders.
“Millions of Spotify users are going to love this unique music and video content that only Beatport can bring,” said Ken Parks, Chief Content Officer, Spotify. “Two billion times every month, our listeners discover an artist they’ve never heard of through a Spotify playlist. I’m really pleased that we can include Beatport’s new music exclusives to our deep catalogue of both rising and established artists.”
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding our business strategy and plans, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors including: our ability to integrate the companies we have acquired; our belief that the EMC community will grow; our ability to increase the number of festivals and events we produce and their attendance; our ability to pay our debts and meet our liquidity needs; competition; our ability to manage growth and geographically-dispersed operations; and our ability to grow our online properties. We refer you to the documents we file from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the section titled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K, which contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. In addition, any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of this date. We undertake no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events, except as required by law.
About SFX Entertainment
SFX Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFXE) is the largest global producer of live events and digital entertainment content focused exclusively on electronic music culture (EMC) and other world-class festivals. SFX’s mission is to provide electronic music fans with the best possible live experiences, music discovery, media and digital connectivity. SFX was borne out of the technology revolution and produces and promotes a growing portfolio of live events that includes leading brands such as Tomorrowland, TomorrowWorld, Mysteryland, Sensation, Stereosonic, Electric Zoo, Disco Donnie Presents, Life in Color, Rock in Rio, Nature One, Mayday, Decibel, Q-Dance, Awakenings, and React Presents, as well as the innovative ticketing services Flavorus and Paylogic.
SFX owns and operates Beatport, the trusted global home of electronic music where fans, DJs, and creators connect, discover, and participate in the evolution of dance music culture. Beatport offers a complete music experience for everyone, everywhere including streaming music, mobile apps and a host of ways for the EMC community to enjoy or download files, attend transformational festivals and events both in person and online, connect with like-minded fans and inspirational artists, and receive news, reviews, and unique insider access.
About Spotify
Spotify is an award-winning digital music service that gives you on-demand access to over 30 million tracks. Our dream is to make all the world’s music available instantly to everyone, wherever and whenever you want it. Spotify makes it easier than ever to discover, manage and share music with your friends, while making sure that artists get a fair deal.
Spotify is now available in 58 markets globally with more than 75 million active users, and over 20 million paying subscribers.
Since its launch in Sweden in 2008, Spotify has driven more than US$3bn to rights holders. Spotify is now the second biggest source of digital music revenue for labels in Europe, and the biggest and most successful music streaming service of its kind globally. www.spotify.com
Come comment on this article: Expect more electronic music on Spotify with new Beatport deal
Z E1: a connected high-quality camera with interchangeable lenses
Small cameras are convenient, but they are often very limited. A new Kickstarter project aims to change this standard by offering a product that is portable, yet offers the advantages of a full-sized, expensive camera. They call it the E1 by Z, and it looks rather promising.
What makes the Z Camera’s E1 special is mostly its small profile, which makes it an amazingly convenient tool. Despite its size, the E1 manages to pack some great specs inside. For starters, it sports a 4/3 sensor size, which is only a step below APS-C sensors (what you find in lower-end DSLR cameras). This will result in quality you could never get out of a point-and-shoot camera.
The sensor is only part of the equation, though. Most photographers (whether professional or amateur) can attest to the fact that glass is the most important factor. Quality lenses can improve your images immensely, and the E1 can compete with the best in this department. This camera features a micro four-thirds mount that supports auto-focus capable lenses from Olympus, Panasonic Lumix, Leica, Sigma and others.
Inside you will find a 2000 mAh battery that should offer plenty of photographs per charge. When recording at 4K, it should last about 80 minutes while not using WiFi.
Video recording modes:
- 4K 4096x2160p @ 24 fps
- UHD 3840x2160p @ 30 fps
- FHD 1920x1080p @ 60 fps
- FHD 1920x1080p @ 30 fps
- HD 1280x720p @ 60 fps
- 848x480p @ 30 fps
Connecting the Z Camera E1 to your smartphone
This camera wouldn’t really make it to Android Authority if it wasn’t smart in some way. The E1 is not only awesome for its size and performance. This little guy is also a very well-connected device, featuring both Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi support.
The camera can be controlled by smartphones with a very low 200-300 millisecond latency. Once connected, the user can control, live stream or manage the camera’s settings without even touching it.
Pricing and conclusion
The guys at Z Camera have priced this camera at $699, but of course, those who pledge on Kickstarter can catch a better deal. Most early bird specials are gone, but as of now you can still get an E1 camera for $599. Pledging more can also get you a 14 mm f/2.5 Panasonic lens. Units should tart shipping this November, so you also won’t have to wait forever to see your money turn into an innovative gadget.
I really want to like this project, but I am an image kind of guy, and the Z Camera crew was awfully quiet about photo quality. Video seems to be great, but I would like to learn more about the camera’s performance when taking still shots. They didn’t even mention the megapixel count, which is a bit odd.
Are any of you signing up? It does look like a great portable video-focused camera!
Visit the Z E1 Camera Kickstarter project!
YouTube has now rolled out 360-degree ads
YouTube recently added 360-degree videos mainly for mobile phones and VR devices like the Google Cardboard. Unfortunately they plan on bringing 360-degree ads as well. Google research has found that users are much more likely to watch an entire video when they can control it like with 360-degree videos.
Coca-Cola found that their 100th anniversary video of their curvy bottle had a 36% higher view-through rate compared to standard videos. Google is the largest advertising company in the world and obviously they want to keep companies advertising so creating 360-degree ads was a no brainer.
Beer company Bud Light is the first company to debut 360-degree ads. They currently have three different ads featuring events from their Whatever USA promotion. The ads are already out and ready to watch on some 360-degree videos.
If you would like to see one in action check out the video below (ideally) on your mobile phone.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: YouTube has now rolled out 360-degree ads
‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 3’ multiplayer beta starts August 19th
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 doesn’t drop until November, but you won’t have to wait nearly so long to find out whether or not its online play lives up to the hype. Activision and Treyarch have revealed that the sci-fi shooter’s multiplayer beta kicks off August 19th if you’ve pre-ordered the PlayStation 4 version, and August 26th on Xbox One. You’ll only have five days to play in either case, but it should give you a feel for the player classes and new gameplay mechanics (such as momentum-based movement) before you get your full copy. It’s not certain just which maps and game modes will find their way into the beta, but you’ll likely find out before the test starts.
Filed under: Gaming
Via: Windows Central
Source: Activision Games Blog
AIVAnet 