Amazon Flex is really an Uber for high-speed deliveries
When word got out about Amazon Flex, it wasn’t clear exactly how it worked. Was it a pick-it-up-yourself service? Not really, as it turns out. The online retailer has finally taken the wraps off of Flex, and it’s ultimately an Uber-like service that has on-demand contractors delivering your Prime Now orders. Like with ridesharing, couriers have to bring their own car and install an app on their phone that notifies them of gigs — the difference, of course, is that they’re transporting packages instead of people. Recruits make between $18 to $25 per hour, and they can work as much as they want.
The service is only available in Seattle right now, but it should expand to several more areas (including Austin, Chicago, Manhattan and Portland) in the future. It may also begin covering less-than-urgent packages, too, which suggests that Amazon sees this as a more than just a way to make its high-speed shipping dreams a reality. In the future, Flex could help Amazon cope with crushing holiday demand and other situations where conventional services aren’t up to the job. The question is whether or not it’ll continue as-is for very long. There’s currently a push to treat on-demand workers like employees, which could require that Amazon pay benefits, allow unions and otherwise shell out a lot more than it was expecting.
Via: Wall Street Journal
Source: Amazon
Here’s how to watch Google’s Nexus event
We’ve barely recovered from Apple’s “Hey Siri” event a couple of weeks ago, but already we’ve got another huge press conference on our hands. Today, Google’s taking the floor, with two new Nexus smartphones expected to be the biggest announcements. A second-generation Chromecast is also in the cards, and we’ll undoubtedly be hearing more about Android Marshmallow, the latest iteration of Google’s mobile OS. We’ll be liveblogging the whole event when it starts in just over half an hour (at 12PM ET), of course, but you can also follow the live broadcast if you want a front-row seat yourself. The livestream will be found on Google’s YouTube channel when the press conference kicks off, but we’ll also embed it here if possible.
Get all the news from today’s Google event right here.
[Image credit: Getty]
Source: Google (YouTube)
BBC begins phasing out Flash with new HTML5 iPlayer trial
Now that Chrome and Firefox are treating Flash like an unwanted guest, online companies are weighing up whether supporting the browser plugin is worth their time. The BBC currently utilises it for its popular iPlayer service, but it’s already working on an alternative. The Beeb announced today that it’s launched an open beta for its new HTML5 player, giving you the option to watch your favourite shows from any browser, whether you’re using your smartphone (which ties in nicely with its Android beta), tablet or PC.
The BBC does stress that the Flash player won’t go away “for at least the next few years,” adding that HTML5 requires more processing power and it doesn’t want to “leave behind those users who cannot, or do not wish to, upgrade.” The majority of programmes have been converted to the MPEG-DASH streaming standard and AVC3 codec, but there are some shows that haven’t yet been processed, so users might see a message asking if they’re happy to stream using the old Flash player.
If you’re keen to see what all the fuss is about, signing up for the beta is pretty easy. Simply head here, click the “Opt in to the HTML5 Player” button on the right hand side of the page and visit iPlayer as you would normally. Once you’ve done that, a small notification will pop up inside the player when you watch your chosen episode. If you’re not having a good experience, all you have to do is visit that page again and click the same button to restore things back to the way they were before.
Via: BBC Internet Blog
Source: BBC iPlayer
Prime Music adds Katy Perry, The Weeknd and other Universal artists
To keep pace with the likes of Apple Music, Spotify and other, Amazon is expanding its music streaming library once more. Today, the online retailer announced that Prime Music now features tunes from Universal Music Group. If you’re not into industry minutiae, Universal is home to Katy Perry, The Weeknd, Maroon 5, Drake and Lorde, just to name a few. The deal also means that Amazon will offer a collection of classical and jazz from Universal, too. Prime members are privy to the new tunes for unlimited streaming as well as “expertly programmed” playlists on iOS, Android (and Android Auto), Fire devices, Amazon Echo, or the web.
[Image credit: Mauricio Santana/Getty Images]
Source: Amazon (Business Wire)
Netflix streams on airplanes too, starting with Virgin America
One problem with Netflix has always been that it doesn’t work when you’re on a plane. Starting this month however, the service’s entire catalog will be available for Virgin America flights on new Airbus A320 airplanes. Virgin claimed its new ViaSat-powered WiFi is strong enough to stream video, and bringing the bandwidth-hungry Netflix aboard is certainly one way to prove it. By contrast, Amazon Prime just started letting customers store movies and TV shows so they can watch them offline anywhere. So far, Netflix has resisted an offline option, and Global Head of Business Development Bill Holmes says it’s all about delivering service that “takes advantage of the expansion of WiFi.” The upgraded system is rolling out to about one aircraft a month through June 2016, and will be available for free until March 2nd. Even if you don’t have a Netflix account, you can sign up for a free trial, or just watch episodes from a few favorites like House of Cards or Orange is the New Black on the new Android-based entertainment systems.
Source: Netflix Blog, Virgin America
HTC announces One M9+ “Supreme Camera” Edition
Back in April HTC unveiled the One M9+ to the world, giving HTC fans a QHD-equipped variant of its flagship, that also saw the Qualcomm processor traded out for a MediaTek chip, and a few other changes such as a fingerprint scanner inside a front-facing home button. The device initially launched in Asia, and later made its way to Europe as well. At a special event today, HTC announced the Butterfly 3, as well as a new upgraded version of the M9+.
The new version is officially called the One M9+ “Supreme Camera” (Yes, really), trading out the 20MP sensor from the M9+ for a 21MP camera with OIS and laser auto focus. While the M9+ had duo camera lenses, this time the M9+ Supreme Camera offers the laser AF system in the second rear camera’s place. Outside of the upgraded camera, the new M9+ variant is pretty much the same phone as before.
As a refresher, that means you get a 5.2-inch QHD display and a MediaTek MT6795T Helio X10 processor with 3GB RAM. Other specs include 32GB storage, front-facing speakers, a fingerprint scanner, and a 2840 mAh battery.
At least for now, the M9+ Supreme Camera is only slated to arrive in Taiwan, starting October 6th, with a price point of $630. Considering the modest improvements, we sincerely doubt the phone will ever officially make its way outside of Asia.
Behind-the-Scenes Moments & Cast Interviews From Upcoming ‘Steve Jobs’ Film
With publicity for the new Steve Jobs movie ramping up ahead of its October 9 release, a new video was shared by ScreenSlam over the weekend, showing a few behind-the-scenes moments of the creation of the film, along with some cast and crew interviews.
Seth Rogen, who stars as Steve Wozniak, praises screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s unique approach to the story and describes the movie as so “cinematic” and different from any other biopic, that it almost feels more like fiction than reality. Director Danny Boyle also described the movie as a natural extension of Sorkin’s previous movie, The Social Network, with both films centering around individuals who “create this modern world” and the repercussions their innovations have on themselves, their friends and family, and everyone who uses what they built.
ScreenSlam also posted a lengthier 37-minute video — of which the original video is a truncated version — that houses in-depth interviews with more cast and crew members including Katherine Waterston, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Aaron Sorkin himself. The glimpses behind the cameras of the movie’s shoot can only be found in the shorter video, however.
The film has been the subject of some controversy over the last week, when Aaron Sorkin gave a heated response to Apple CEO Tim Cook’s initial negative impression of the yet-to-be released movie. The next day, Sorkin reneged slightly on his comments, saying that “Tim Cook and I probably both went a little too far,” and hoping that Cook enjoys the movie when he sees it as much as Sorkin enjoys Apple’s products.
BlackBerry Priv is shown off in official images
While many of us wait with bated breath for Google’s Nexus announcement later today (despite almost everything leaking beforehand), BlackBerry has released some official images of the Priv (formerly known as Venice), the Canadian company’s first smartphone to run on the Android operating system. This comes just a few days after BlackBerry CEO, John Chen, demonstrated the Priv on BNN.
These official images show the Priv with the physical keyboard extended and retracted. Apart from the images, there isn’t really anything new to mention, but that will surely change in the days and weeks ahead. What we do know, is that the Priv will focus on privacy, security and productivity.
More importantly, from my personal point of view, the Priv is a slider, a design that hasn’t been seen much in the Android world since the Desire Z, and one that has been sorely missed in our world of black-slabs. Until more details arrive, you can download the first BlackBerry wallpaper here.
Source: BlackBerry
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LG G4 Pro shows up on GFXBench
The H900 just underwent a benchmark on GFXBench posting some impressing specifications. This is LG’s G4 Pro or recently called ‘V10.‘
LG is holding a press event on October 1 where we’re expecting to see the company’s G4 Pro flagship handset announced. A new benchmark reveals some of the handset’s specifications. It features a large 5.7-inch QHD display, which will most likely have LG’s new Quantum dot technology in addition to its new color spectrum sensor for better color reproduction. This was originally introduced with LG’s G4 flagship, announced early this year.
Other specifications include a hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 16MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera and 62GB of internal storage space which will be expandable via a built in micro-SD card slot. Android 5.1.1 will be running straight out of the box. Could this be the hero phone LG is hoping for after its disappointing sales of the LG G4? Let me know in the comments below.
Source: GFXBench
Via: Pocketnow
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HTC has officially taken its wraps off the Butterfly 3
Earlier today in Japan, HTC unveiled an HTC One M9+ remake (pictured on the left) and the Butterfly 3 handset (pictured to the right) aimed at international markets.
The HTC Butterfly 3 is a new high-end smartphone with a QHD display coming to international markets. The Butterfly 3 will launch on October 25 in Taiwan with more countries to come.
The handset features a 5.2-inch QHD panel, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 20MP rear-facing camera, a 13MP front-facing camera and 32GB of internal storage space. A 2700mAh battery is built-in and can not be removed. In addition, the handset boosts IPX5 and IPX7 certification for an added durability. However, as far as design goes, it features a plastic build unlike most high-end HTC smartphones. HTC hasn’t announced its plans on where else the handset will launch, but there is still hope the company will add more in the future. We’ll keep you posted.
Source: HTC
Come comment on this article: HTC has officially taken its wraps off the Butterfly 3
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