Uber drivers can pick you up when you’re headed the same way
Uber drivers live with uncertainty: there’s no guarantee that they’ll get a passenger on the way home from a long shift, or while they’re running errands. However, they’re about to catch a break. Uber is rolling out a feature (currently only in the San Francisco Bay Area) that lets drivers set destinations twice a day, and pick up you up only if you’re headed in the same direction. If all goes well, they won’t have to waste as much time when they’re not taking fares.
Source: TechCrunch
NBC’s comedy streaming service starts free beta preview December 3rd
If you want to give SeeSo a shot before signing up, you’ll get your chance next month. NBC’s comedy streaming service will be available as a limited free public beta starting December 3rd. During the web-only trial period, viewers can expect to watch classics from Monty Python, including The Flying Circus, The Meaning of Life, Holy Grail, and Life of Brian. There’s also the likes of 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Saved By the Bell, and both the US and UK versions of The Office. If that wasn’t enough to convince you to check it out, episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers will be available the day after they air alongside 40 years of Saturday Night Live sketches.
New Asus ZenFone Zoom variant passes through China’s TENAA
Asus has released several ZenFone models this year so far, and may be intending to release another: a new model of the ZenFone Zoom, a unique product first announced at CES this past January and then seen again back in September. The smartphone, which features a 3X optical zoom, has now seen a new model number/variant recently pass through China’s telecommunication agency, the TENAA.
As the pictures clearly show, the new device has capacitive buttons on the front, and a giant camera module around the back:
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This new ZenFone Zoom variant has been given the model number Z00XSB and features a 5.5-inch FHD IPS display. It was certified as having a Quad Core 2.4GHz SoC, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of on-board storage, a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera. MicroSD support is included, as is GSM, TD-SCDMA, TD-LTE, LTE DDD, and both WCDMA and 3G. The device runs Android 5.0, weighs 185 grams, and measures 158.9 × 78.84 × 11.95mm. It will be available in black and white color options.
It remains to be seen exactly when this new variant of the Zoom will be formally announced and/or released. Asus is planning an event in Taiwan early next month to launch the Zoom, but it now seems up-in-the-air as to which model(s) will be present. It’s possible that Asus has simply opted to modify the original specs – much like Samsung did with the original Galaxy Note 10.1 – in the time since its original announcement.
From our hands-on with the previous variant announced.
Alternatively, the model we are seeing today may be just a customary filing with China’s TENAA, similar to how America’s FCC inspects telecommunications products that will not be releasing in the country.
Only time may tell what the future holds in store, but at the very least those who are looking for some more manipulable magnification now have something to look forward to.
Sony Xperia Z5 camera update rolls out today
The Xperia Z5 range already boasts one of the best smartphone cameras in the business right now, and Sony is busy rolling out a new software update today that will give the flagship’s camera some new features to help you capture even better looking photos.
The changes have been made to the camera app’s user interface, switching over to a more minimalist look and adding in some new features to select different capture modes. Moving between camera modes, such as manual or auto mode, can now be done with a simple swipe. On screen sliders can also be used to tweak some settings via a quick touch, to adjust your photos to just how you like them.
There’s no mention of tweaks to camera processing or any major new photography features. Instead, the update is designed to make the UI a little friendlier and more practical, to help capture the best looking shots.
The update applies to the Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact and Z5 Premium smartphones. Some customers may notice the update arrive today, but the roll out will take a little longer to reach some regions and carrier branded handsets.
Read more: Feature Focus: up close with Sony Xperia Z5’s camera
LG G5 may have a metal unibody design
Assuming Samsung had not sprung for the metal and glass Galaxy S6 design language, it’s likely that critics of LG’s G4 would have found much less to complain about. In the end, what the company did produce was a refinement of its G3 from last year, and – in part – attention was paid to the fact that this year’s offering still supplied a user replaceable battery and included microSD support. Two things Samsung removed. Still, the build quality was often cited as being a cause for the consideration that the G4 was “not premium”. Things may be in for a major change next year, at least based on a new rumor.
A report on Naver posted earlier today suggests that LG will in fact, be using a metal unibody for 2016’s G5. While this isn’t much to go on, it would logically make sense given that the company has already sought to include metal in its recently released V10 handset. While it would remain to be seen as to what kind of metal the G5 would have – the V10 is amazingly resilient to drops – at the very least it would serve to offer a more direct rivalry with whatever premium product Samsung plans to launch next year, be it early or business as usual.
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LG has been suffering from sluggish sales, both with its G4 and – at least according to reports in Korea – the new V10. This kind of drastic design difference could be just what the doctor ordered.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind our readers that until LG itself makes any information public, this kind of news is therefore unconfirmed and speculative.
What do you think? Would a unibody design make all the difference for your consideration of the G5? While it would seemingly negate the user-replaceable battery bit, microSD could still be supported. Let us know in the comments section below!
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If they mated: Samsung has a Galaxy S6-esque Android flip phone with some surprising specs
Samsung has released some very interesting devices over the years, including a 7-inch phone and a series of dual-screen flip phones known as the Galaxy Golden. This year, the Korean conglomerate let loose a redesigned Galaxy S6 proving that even its most stable staples are subject to scrutiny and substitution. Few might have considered what a mash-up of the latter two objects of obsession may have managed if they mated. Thankfully Samsung has gone and created it anyway:
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Behold the SM-W2016. While a name has yet to be attached to the product number, one might surmise that the “W” has to do with the double screen, and 2016 could be the year it will release. Indeed the device itself could end up being called the Galaxy W (2016), especially since SamMobile has stated it will not be called the Galaxy Golden 3.
Thanks to its time at the TENAA, specs have already been provided. The device, which has glass and metal, will include two 3.9-inch SAMOLED displays (1280X768), a 64-Bit Octa Core Exynos 7420 SoC, 3GB of RAM, 64GB of on-board storage, a 16-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel rear camera. The device has Android 5.1.1, features an obligatory T9 numeric keypad, weighs 204 grams and is 120.4 x 61 x 15.1 mm.
Those whose mouth are still agape in awe at this product should consider that (1) it will probably not release outside Asia, and (2) Samsung itself has yet to make any official announcement so at this stage it’s too early to say anything super specific.
The Galaxy Golden (Korean variant pictured) was also released in China and several other Asian markets.
With that said however, there is something definitely defiant about a flip phone adorned in metal and glass. Perhaps even more so given the presence of the bio-metric sensor along the back side. Whereas the Galaxy Golden line was targeting consumers in their “golden years”, this device almost seems to destined for the younger market, especially considering the specs inside.
As for the issue of if a flip phone form factor works with Android, several companies in Asia currently manufacturer such products, including Samsung, Sharp, and LG. Would you be interested in this one? Please leave your comments below and be sure to let us know!
Sony FES e-paper watch lands on shelves this month
Sony’s FES Watch is finally scheduled to go on sale later this month. We’re not looking at a major product roll-out here, but the watch will be appearing on a few store shelves exclusively in Japan.
The watch will be stocked at the MoMA Desgin Store on Omotesando, Tokyo starting from this Saturday, while Isetan in Shinjuku will begin sales on December 1st. These two stores are more fashion than gadget oriented, so Sony is clearly after a different type of crowd with the Fes Watch.
This make sense though, as we’re not looking at something as powerful as a smartwatch here. The FES Watch is more like a regular digital watch with a selection of customizable watch faces and strap designs that can be displayed using the e-paper display. The display wraps all around the strap too. The company is also working on e-ink variable design ties, hat accessories, and paper holders.
The FES Watch originally popped up on Japan’s Makuake crowd-funding site more than a year ago and also appeared on Sony’s own First Flight backing website. The watch has been developed by a sub-division over at Sony, tasked with coming up with innovative new product ideas.
Although Sony isn’t planning a wide launch, the FES Watch will apparently be brought to other stores in the future. The watch will retail with a price tag of ¥29,700 (about $242).
Frequent Google Maps contributors can get 1TB of free Drive storage and other perks
Google is offering anyone and everyone a chance to earn 1TB of Drive storage, for free. But that’s not all there that they are offering.
Under the Local Guides program for Google Maps, the Mountain View company is rewarding its users who regularly add new locations, leave reviews for various locations, upload new photographs, update outdated information, or contribute new and useful info in many other ways.
The entire system has been gamified to achieve an increased level of user participation. So, the more a user contributes as a Local Guide, the higher their rewards. Google will filter out poor quality reviews, so people who are thinking of gaming the system to earn 1TB of storage might be in for a surprise.
While Google doesn’t specify it, it looks that the free terabyte of Drive storage is valid for one year. After the free period expires, you will still be able to access all your files, but you won’t be able to add new files until you sign up for a higher tier or remove existing files.
The updated Local Guides platform has 5 different levels of rewards:
- Level 1 (0 – 4 points): Enter exclusive contests (think new Google devices!) in select countries.
- Level 2 (5 – 49 points): Get early access to new Google products and features.
- Level 3 (50 – 199 points): Show up in the Google Maps app with your official Local Guides badge.
- Level 4 (200 – 499 points): Receive a free 1 TB upgrade of your Drive storage, allowing you to keep all the stories, photos, and videos from your travels in one safe place.
- Level 5 (500+ points): The very top Local Guides will become eligible to apply to attend our inaugural summit in 2016, where you’ll be able to meet other top Guides from around the world, explore the Google campus, and get the latest info about Google Maps.
As it turns out, one doesn’t need to achieve Level 5 in order to receive 1 TB of Drive storage (otherwise $9.99/month) for free. For the very best Local Guides who score over 500 points, Google will be hosting an inaugural summit next year. The company has promised to release more information regarding this summit next year.
Can’t wait to get started as a Local Guide? Here’s the sign-up page, which is open to everyone. Once you’re signed up and good to go, make sure to update to the latest version of Google Maps on your Android or iOS device to be able to track your contributions and earned points.
For more details regarding Local Guides, check out the program’s official support page here.
Cyanogen to power $75 devices and a possible flagship in 2016
Cyanogen has unveiled a sampling of their plans for 2016, featuring a few ambitious ideas to gain some footing in the mobile market.
The company behind the uber-popular Android custom software-maker, CyanogenMod, posted a tweet from their presentation at Big Android BBQ Amsterdam, outlining their road map for the new year.
Most prominently, Cyanogen is planning to include their CyanogenOS firmware in a number of entry-level smartphones.
What’s in store in 2016 for @cyngn… Via @cyanogen pic.twitter.com/ajfGoPBGqs
— CyanogenMod (@CyanogenMod) November 12, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Cyanogen promises that, with the support of “multiple OEMs”, these devices will cost around $75, be available in multiple markets and will be backed by constant OS updates and revisions. This could include Micromax, who have already released a low-cost smartphone shipped with CyanogenMod, the Yu Yuphoria.
Also, there are hints that Cyanogen will be releasing a flagship device, which will include their custom firmware.
There is no doubt that Cyanogen is looking to the future with this plan for 2016, especially with the success of the CyanogenMod-powered Yu Yuphoria and the Lenovo-backed ZUK Z1.
Source: PhoneArena/@CyanogenMod
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Verizon rejiggers prepaid rate plans
Verizon prepaid plans received a slight tweak recently, giving smartphone customers more options. On the low end, a $30 rate plan gives subscribers unlimited talk and text. There’s no high speed data included in this plan; however, phones can utilize Wi-Fi for data needs. The $45 option gives users 1GB of 3G/4G data while the $60 plan provides up to 3GB of monthly data.
Devices such as mobile hotspots and tablets now have monthly, bi-monthly, and weekly options to choose from. The $15 choice gives 500MB of data to use over a 7-day period. The $20 monthly plan allows for 1GB of data.
Customers who opt for bi-monthly can get 2GB for $35, 4GB for $60, or 10GB for $100. This trio of rate plans lets subscribers spread out data usage over a two-month period.
All new rate plans are available immediately.
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