Kodak has a new surveillance camera to compete with Nest Cam
Google’s Nest Cam, previously known as Dropcam, is without a doubt one of the most preferred home monitoring camera brands. But Kodak doesn’t want to be left behind, and today it introduced an upgraded video surveillance camera as part of its CFH-V series. The new model, called the CFH-V20, features a 180-degree field of view, night vision and WiFi capabilities (including a built-in signal extender. It also comes with IFTTT integration, letting you pair the device with third-party automation apps and services, as well as lifetime one-day cloud storage that lets you watch any recording from the past 24 hours. Kodak’s V20 is available now for $150, which is about $50 cheaper than the Nest Cam.
Chromecast app for iOS gets content and app recommendations
The Chromecast app for iOS no longer has a sad, bare interface, now that the major overhaul Android users have been enjoying for weeks has arrived. Since it’s the same update Google released for its homegrown platform the same time the new Chromecast was announced, it comes with the new “What’s On” and “Get Apps” tabs. The former shows popular and trending content from the apps you already have on your device (like movies and TV shows on Netflix and Hulu), while the latter shows you lists of Cast-enabled applications you can get. It also comes with a Search function that you can use to easily find titles from compatible apps. The update’s now out on iTunes and ready to download and install, even if you only have the older media streaming stick instead of the shinier and rounder 2015 version.
Source: iTunes
Moto X Style launches in India for Rs. 29,999
As expected after yesterday’s invites, the Moto X Style has officially made its way to India today and will be available to purchase from next Wednesday, October 14th.
The Moto X Style boasts a 5.7-inch QHD (2560×1440) display, Snapdragon 808 SoC, 3GB of RAM and an impressive 21 megapixel rear camera. The handset also sports a microSD card slot, fingerprint scanner, 3,000mAh battery, 4G LTE support, an IP52 water repellent coating, Turbo Charge technology and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop on board. The 16GB and 32GB storage variants have both made their way to India, with Rs. 29,999 and Rs. 31,999 price tags respectively. Both models will be available to pre-order from FlipKart next Wednesday.
Read more: Motorola Moto X Pure Edition (Moto X Style) review
Motorola in video:
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To sweeten the deal, Motorola has also announced a selection of pre-order launch offers, which are valid until October 20th. There’s a handset exchange offer for up to Rs. 15,000, 100 percent cashback for 100 lucky customers, Rs. 5,000 off international holidays for MakeMyTrip customers, and Flipkart electronic gift vouchers worth Rs. 1,000.
If you’re still undecided about Motorola’s new high-end smartphone, be sure to check out our impressions and full review of the new Moto X Style. The more mid-range Moto X Play also launched in India not long ago and is certainly worth checking out if you’re after a less expensive model.
Who’s planning to pick one up?
Apple Watch Launches in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates on October 22
Apple has updated its regional websites for Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to announce the Apple Watch will be available on October 22.
Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates will be part of the eighth Apple Watch launch wave. Apple Watch expands to Belgium, Finland, Norway, Luxembourg and Poland tomorrow and to Brazil and Columbia on October 16.
- April 24: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, U.K. and U.S.
- June 26: Italy, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Taiwan
- July 17: The Netherlands, Sweden, and Thailand
- July 31: New Zealand, Russia, and Turkey
- September 25: Austria, Denmark, and Ireland
- October 9: Belgium, Finland, Norway, Luxembourg, and Poland
- October 16: Brazil and Colombia
- October 22: Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates
In the United Arab Emirates, pricing for the Apple Watch Sport will start at 1,399 dirhams for the 38mm model, which is equivalent to approximately $380 in U.S. dollars. Apple Watch prices in Saudi Arabia are not yet available on the website.
littleBits Gizmos and Gadgets Kit gives kids a range of DIY projects
Do you know an aspiring young maker? If so, littleBits is looking to lend a hand with its new Gadgets & Gizmos Kit. The collection of tech includes everything those young inventors will need to complete 12 different projects, learning about electronics, robots and more along the way. If you’re not familiar, littleBits has been making Lego-like kits that allow kids (both young and old) to make a piece of tech in minutes. Previous boxes include projects for the smart home and a build your own synthesizer option. For the Gizmos & Gadgets Kit, the projects range from a bubble machine to a wirelessly-controlled robotic rover and games. If you’re looking to get started, the Gizmos & Gadgets Kit includes a set of 15 electronic blocks and it’ll be available this month for $200. While you wait, check out the Bitbot in action after the break. Slideshow-326730
ICYMI: Mars life, bendy smartphone screens and more
Today on In Case You Missed It: It’s Space Week, and today’s celestial story is an earth-bound look at what a colony of humans would have to endure on Mars. People from Hawaii’s Space Exploration Analog and Simulation group just finished an eight month camp-out, cut away from society and only allowed outside when clad in space suits. Not so spacey but equally fascinating, MIT scientists figured out a bendable smartphone display’s chemistry. And wearable product company Lumo announced new running shorts that aim to fix your body mechanics when pounding pavement.
We also touch on Disney’s new little sand artist robot, which reminded us of this true sand artist. Both are worth a look if you’re into that sort of thing.
Something everyone should be into: Dinosaurs! Well dinosaurs as conceived of by a human, looking to build something weird for his kid to ride.
If you come across any interesting videos, we’d love to see them. Just tweet us with the #ICYMI hashtag @engadget or @mskerryd.
Mozilla proposes three golden rules for ad blockers
Users and advertisers are about to get involved in a dust-up over the role of content blockers, with much of the internet caught in the crossfire. Mozilla is hoping to play peacemaker by proposing a set of three golden rules that will create a “healthy, open web.” The most notable is probably the idea that the firms providing browser extensions should be “content neutral,” only screening out items that the user wants to avoid. That means blocking malware, pernicious tracking software produced by advertisers and bandwidth-heavy video ads. It’s also a subtle two-fingered salute to companies like AdBlock Plus, which lets Google, Amazon and Microsoft amongst others get around the block, so long as they pay a fee.
Next up, there’s the principle that ad-blocking software should be “open,” enabling publishers to alter their tactics and play nicely, rather than being permanently blacklisted. Meanwhile, rule three says that the people, rather than developers, should have final say on what’s being blocked and how. Instead, these apps should come with detailed, granular control so individuals can tailor their experience to their needs. Right now, they’re just a list of ideas that are being kicked around, with the organization asking for users to chip in with useful suggestions.
Source: Mozilla
Cyanogen Inc. maintains a close partnership with YU in India
There was a time when Cyanogen OS was heading into the hands of lots of users, through new products from OnePlus, Alcatel and Micromax, but things seem to have died down a little. After ending its relationship with OnePlus, Cyanogen Inc.’s OS also disappeared from the YU Yuphoria phone, leaving many to wonder if Cyanogen was running out of major partners.
However, Cyanogen Inc. states that it still has a strong partnership with YU and that it doesn’t necessarily make sense for the company to support every device that YU developers. The company has also announced that its OS will be shipping with YU’s upcoming Yutopia smartphone. This will be the first flagship grade YU phone, powered by a Snapdragon 810.
“We have a great partnership with YU, and happy to announce that Cyanogen OS 12.1 will be powering YU’s upcoming flagship – Yutopia. We’ll also be rolling out the latest 12.1 update to Yureka / Yureka Plus very soon. It doesn’t always makes sense for us to support every device in a partner’s portfolio, and there are one-off model variations. We want to put the unfounded rumors to rest.” – Cyanogen Inc.
What makes the case more curious however is that Cyanogen OS Yuphoria model (YU5010) originally launched but is now no longer available. Instead, there is now a YU5010A model running stock Android 5.5.1 for sale at a slightly reduced price. Unfortunately we don’t have an explanation as to why the OS was swapped out so shortly after launch. Perhaps, there wasn’t a suitable update roadmap planned, which is what happened with the Onetouch Hero 2+.
Related: Alcatel OneTouch Hero 2+ with Cyanogen cancelled
Additionally, the YU brand is partly own by India’s MicroMax. MicroMax has previously gone on record stating that it is developing its own Android based operating system for smartphones, tablets and wearables. While not necessarily even destined for the YU range, this leaves a few unanswered questions hanging over any long term partnership with Cyanogen Inc. The first phones powered by this new OS are expected to appear by the end of this financial year.
For now, Cyanogen Inc and YU are still working together on at least one new smartphone.
The multi-lens compact Light L16 wants to take on the DSLR
Photography aficionados have probably heard it all before, DSLR-like features and quality in a compact form factor. So far the numerous promises have failed to deliver. However, Light believes that it has what it takes to compete with its compact L16, a “multi-aperture computational camera.” The technology packed into this camera is very different from your typical setup, which might just give it the edge that it needs.
As you may have guessed, the L16 part of the name has to do with the 16 different lenses that the start-up company has packed into the camera. Each of these lenses captures a picture using different focal lengths, the data from which is then combined to form one detailed 52-megapixel image. Five of the sensors come with the equivalent focal length of a 35mm, five at 70mm and the remaining six are 150 mm. Even more impressive is the fact that this additional image data allows for photographers to adjust a picture’s depth of field, focus and exposure even after it has been taken.
The Light L16 comes with a selection of other features too. The range of camera focal lengths allows for a high-quality zoom, rather than a basic digital zoom. The L16 also comes with WiFi built in, which allows photographers to share their images straight from the camera or quickly transfer them over the air to a PC. It can also be used to shoot 4K video and runs an Android operating system. Best of all, this technology all fits into a device that is only marginally bulkier than a Nexus 6 smartphone.
Speaking of smartphones, manufacturer Foxconn has licensed the technology from Light. The company plans to build a similar array of cameras into a future smartphone, which is expected to launch some time in 2016.
All of this cutting edge technology won’t come cheap. Customers who pre-order the camera before November 6th will be offered a reduced price of $1,299, while the regular retail price will shoot up to $1,699 by the time that the Light L16 starts shipping out in summer 2016.
Sony buys a company that makes Kinect-like depth sensors
Sony has purchased SoftKinetic, a Belgian startup that’s most famous for creating image sensors that can digitally capture objects in 3D. The firm specializes in time of flight, a camera technology that you’ll be familiar with if you’ve ever used the Xbox’s Kinect camera. If you’ve got long memory, you’ll recall that SoftKinetic provided the necessary technology to make Just Dance work on the PlayStation, as well as 3D scanners for MakerBot. Now, it’s going to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate, giving the firm a useful knowledge boost in an area that’s growing increasingly important. After all, since Sony is developing PlayStation VR, smart glasses and produces the camera sensors for much of the mobile industry, that know-how is likely to be in plenty of products in the not-too-distant future.
Via: Re/code
Source: Sony
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