Apple Maps Now Used Three Times More Than Google Maps on iPhone
When Apple Maps first debuted alongside iOS 6, it drew significant criticism for its inaccuracies in mapping data, errors when locating points of interest, lack of transit information and odd 3D mapping imagery. Many users opted not to upgrade to iOS 6 due to the app’s flaws, and iOS 6 adoption jumped 29 percent once Google released a native Maps app for Apple’s platform. Three years later, Apple tells the Associated Press that Apple Maps is now used three times more than Google Maps on iPhone.
Apple says its mapping service is now used more than three times as often as its next leading competitor on iPhones and iPads, with more than 5 billion map-related requests each week. Research firm comScore says Apple has a modest lead over Google on iPhones in the U.S., though comScore measures how many people use a service in a given month rather than how often.
While a lot of the usage gains for Apple Maps can be attributed to Apple Maps being a built-in app that’s the default mapping solution for features like Siri and Mail and third-party apps like Yelp, the AP notes that many users who once spurned by Apple Maps have returned. Additionally, many new iPhone users did not experience the troubles of Apple Maps, instead using the newer, more improved version.
Although Apple now holds the lead in mapping on iOS, Google still dominates among all U.S. smartphone owners, with Google Maps having two times more users than Apple Maps. However, much of this is attributed to Apple Maps only being available on iOS while Google Maps is available on both Android and iOS.
In recent years, Apple has made numerous efforts to improve its mapping service. Apple has purchased companies like GPS firm Coherent Navigation and mapping company Placeable in addition to expanding its in-house teams and making data-sharing deals with companies like Foursquare. The Cupertino company has also beefed up Apple Maps with a fleet of mapping vehicles capturing data and introducing new features like Transit directions and, in the future, indoor mapping.
In total, Apple now gets data “from more than 3,000 sources” for business listings, traffic and more. For its new Transit features, Apple even sent out teams to map out subway entrances and signs.
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PlayStation launches a messaging app for your phone
In a world of WhatsApp, Line, SMS, Facebook Messenger and all the rest we can’t fit into an intro paragraph, there’s a space for very specific messenger apps. Maybe. Sony’s launched a companion companion PlayStation app, available now on iOS and Android, that lets you talk to anyone on your PSN friends list. PlayStation Messages does only that — you’ll need the full PlayStation app to explore new releases, PS4 news and anything to do with your PSN account. However, like Facebook and its messenger app, you’ll be able to jump between your PS apps through tabs. Useful features include the ability to see who’s already online at a glance (before you’re even home and warming up your console), as well as being able to send voice messages, as well as text and stickers to friends or groups of up to 100 players. And if you’re looking for more game-messaging options, there’s also that dedicated Twitch messaging app. Spoilt for choice
Via: @Wario64 (Twitter)
Source: PlayStation Messages (iTunes), (Google Play), PlayStation (Japanese)
Sony Releases ‘PlayStation Messages’ App for iOS
Shortly after its PlayStation Experience 2015 event in San Francisco this weekend, Sony has released a brand new app called PlayStation Messages, which allows PlayStation 4 owners to chat with their friends on the go. While the standard PlayStation app had built-in messaging functionality, it’s been split into its own app like how Facebook did with Facebook Messenger.
The app allows PlayStation Network users to send their friends text, voice and picture messages in addition to stickers of PlayStation game characters like Knack and Uncharted’s Nathan Drake. The app also allows for group messaging.
The standard PlayStation app was also updated today with the ability to follow verified users and the removal of the messaging functionality.
PlayStation Messages is a universal app that’s available in the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
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Omate Rise smartwatch fully funds its Indiegogo campaign in only minutes
Omate Rise is a new type of smartwatch. It doesn’t run Android Wear or Samsung’s Tizen, but instead runs full Android. It also has 3G support and doesn’t need to connect to a smartphone to work. Would you want a watch like this? Well, turns out a lot of people do because they blew past their Indiegogo goal in only minutes.
I recently did a story covering what makes the Omate Rise so cool and there really is a lot to like. It has everything you could want from decent power/battery to cool looks. However, Omate announced it would start its Indiegogo campaign on December 7th at 10am ET and it took only 15min for them to reach their goal.
They planned on making this a 48hr campaign with various incentives to get people to buy one early on. For example, the first 500 customers would get the watch for only $200, and the first 1000 watches sold would receive an external Bluetooth LE chest belt.
They were asking for $30,000 and are already up to about $120,000 with roughly 50 hours left. Clearly their incentives worked. However, if you would like an Omate Rise smartwatch for yourself, hurry, because there isn’t much time left before their campaign ends.
Source: Indiegogo
Come comment on this article: Omate Rise smartwatch fully funds its Indiegogo campaign in only minutes
Fossil’s Q Founder can be bought from the Google Store
At the end of November, Fossil’s Q Founder saw itself earn a page on the Google Store with the dreaded ‘coming soon’ label. Anytime that label is used, people worry and assume a release is a month or more away. But the Q Founder is now ready to be purchased and shipped out to customers. The Q smartwatch will leave the Google Store warehouse in 1-2 business days.
There are two models of the Q Founder being offered, but only one of them can be ordered at the moment. The model with the brown leather band, which costs $275, is still listed as ‘coming soon.’ Fortunately, the all-stainless steel model can be purchased for $295. The Q Founder looks the part and the prices seem very attractive. Smartwatches from Huawei, Samsung, and other companies cost at least $50-$100 more.
The only area that might be of concern for prospective buyers is size as the Q Founder is thicker and heavier than most smartwatches.
Oh, the Q Founder also has the same ‘flat tire’ seen on the Moto 360’s display. That could be tough to get buy when spending $250+ on a smartwatch.
Come comment on this article: Fossil’s Q Founder can be bought from the Google Store
Android 6.0.1 activated T-Mobile’s band 12 for the Nexus 6P and 5X
Monday was a busy day for Google and its Nexus devices. The company pushed out Android 6.0.1 with new emojis and security patches, but users of the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X could have a bonus included with the software update. Multiple owners of those two handsets on T-Mobile’s network are reporting that the software update activated band 12 support.
A few weeks ago, T-Mobile added only the Nexus 6P to its Extended Range LTE page. Nothing was official from T-Mobile or Google. The page, however, now reflects that both the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X are compatible to operate on the the carrier’s 700MHz spectrum. Users of either handset on T-Mobile’s network benefit from Extended Range LTE by getting better coverage in buildings and rural areas.
Via: TmoNews
Come comment on this article: Android 6.0.1 activated T-Mobile’s band 12 for the Nexus 6P and 5X
Jeff Bezos’ fourth tweet promises to #sendDonaldtospace
I’ve sent out plenty of Twitter replies to haters, but you’ll have that after 38,000~ posts. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is relatively new to the service, and as such he has used one quarter of his tweets in responding to a Donald Trump tweetstorm. Trump claimed Bezos’ ownership of The Washington Post is a scam, meant as a deduction to keep taxes down at his “no-profit” retail shop. Since Bezos, not Amazon, owns the Post and Amazon is (at least for the moment) profitable, this seems to be just another Trump statement that has little to no relationship with truth or facts of any kind. This evening Bezos fired back by bringing his third company Blue Origin into the fray, promising to reserve Donald Trump a seat. There’s no word on if that seat comes with a return trip.
Finally trashed by @realDonaldTrump. Will still reserve him a seat on the Blue Origin rocket. #sendDonaldtospace https://t.co/9OypFoxZk3
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) December 7, 2015
Source: Jeff Bezos (Twitter)
Clever photog builds a fully-automatic photo processor
German photographer Lukas Fritz has spent the last year developing an easier means of processing his film negatives at home, without the need for a dedicated dark room. He recently published a video of his completed work, the Filmomat, and it is nothing short of genius.
As you can see in the video above, the microwave-size device includes a 6-liter water tank, three additional chemical tanks, a bath area and two development tanks (one of roll film, the other for . The device is completely autonomous with a 50-process memory (each of which can require up to ten individual steps). Users simply load in their film and fluids, select the requisite process and the machine does the rest. This is what the results look like:
Via: Peta Pixel
Source: Silver Photograph
What’s on your HDTV: ‘X-Files’ Blu-ray, ‘The Ridiculous Six’
The new X-Files won’t air until next year, but fans can grab the entire existing series run on Blu-ray this week. Available in both a complete series set and as individual seasons, it has every episode (plus 26 hours of extras) available in widescreen with surround sound. The other big Blu-ray release is Marvel’s second Cinematic Universe collection, ready to set you up with it’s last round of movies. This week Netflix is also presenting its first movie with Adam Sandler, and yes, it’s the one with jokes so bad they caused a dozen Native American actors to walk off the set. A better option on streaming is probably season two of Amazon’s critically-acclaimed series Transparent. Otherwise there’s a slew of fall finales on TV, plus the series finale of The League. Look after the break to check out each day’s highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).
Blu-ray & Games & Streaming
- The X-Files (Complete Series or Seasons 1 – 9 individually)
- Ant-Man (3D)
- Minions (3D)
- Knock Knock
- Hannibal (S3)
- F/X2: The Deadly Art of Illusion
- Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two Collection
- Transporter Refueled
- Among the Sleep (PS4)
- The Sims 4: Get Together (PC)
Monday
- The Great Christmas Light Fight (season premiere), ABC, 8PM
- TV’s Funniest Animated Starts: A Paley Center for Media Special, Fox, 8PM
- Supergirl, CBS, 8PM
- The Voice, NBC, 8PM
- WWE Raw, USA, 8PM
- Monday Night Football: Cowboys vs. Washington, ESPN, 8:15PM
- U2: Innocence + Experience Live in Paris, HBO, 9PM
- Catfish: The Untold Stories Part 6, MTV, 9PM
- Major Crimes, TNT, 9PM
- Scorpion, CBS, 9PM
- Minority Report, Fox, 9PM
- Telenovela (series premiere), NBC, 10PM
- NCIS: LA, CBS, 10PM
- Legends, TNT, 10PM
- Fargo, FX, 10PM
Tuesday
- The Mindy Project (fall finale), Hulu. 3AM
- The Flash (fall finale), CW, 8PM
- The Voice, NBC, 8PM
- The Muppets (fall finale), ABC, 8PM
- Scream Queens (season finale), Fox, 8PM
- Fresh Off the Boat (fall finale), ABC, 8:30PM
- Chicago Med (fall finale), NBC, 9PM
- Inside the NFL, Showtime, 9PM
- Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (fall finale), ABC, 9PM
- iZombie (fall finale), CW, 9PM
- Scream Queens, Fox, 9PM
- The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, CBS, 10PM
- Chicago Fire (fall finale), NBC, 10PM
- Finding Carter, MTV, 10PM
- Being Mary Jane, BET, 10PM
- The Profit, CNBC, 10PM
Wednesday
- Rocketjump: The Show, Hulu, 3AM
- Survivor, CBS, 8PM
- Arrow (season finale), CW, 8PM
- The Middle (fall finale), ABC, 8PM
- The Goldbergs (fall finale), ABC, 8:30PM
- Criminal Minds (fall finale), CBS, 9PM
- Taraji and Terrence’s White Hot Holiday, Fox, 9PM
- Supernatural (fall finale), CW, 9PM
- Modern Family, ABC, 9PM
- Kingdom, DirecTV, 9PM
- Black-ish (fall finale), NBC, 9:30PM
- The Real World/Road rules Challenge, MTV, 10PM
- Code Black (fall finale), CBS, 10PM
- The Ultimate Fighter, Fox Sports 1, 10PM
- The League (series finale), FXX, 10PM
- American Horror Story, FX, 10PM
- Nashville (fall finale), ABC, 10PM
- The Illusionists, NBC, 10PM
- South Park (season finale), Comedy Central, 10PM
- Moonbeam City (season finale), Comedy Central, 10PM
- You’re The Worst (season finale), FXX, 10:30PM
- NFL Turning Point, NBC Sports Network, 11PM
- True Life: I’m A Gay for Pay Pornstar, MTV, 11:30PM
Thursday
- Bones (fall finale), Fox, 8PM
- Michael Buble’s Christmas in Hollywood, NBC, 8PM
- WWE Smackdown, Syfy, 8PM
- The Vampire Diaries (fall finale), CW, 8PM
- The Big Bang Theory, CBS, 8PM
- Toy Story at 20, ABC, 8PM
- Vikings/Cardinals football, NFL Network, 8:25PM
- Life in Pieces, CBS, 8:30PM
- Mom, CBS, 9PM
- The Coat of Many Colors, NBC, 9PM
- 2 Broke Girls, CBS, 9:30PM
- Elementary, CBS, 10PM
- Haven, Syfy, 10PM
- The Originals, CW, 10PM
- Nathan for You (season finale), Comedy Central, 10PM
- Haven, Syfy, 10PM
- Nightwatch, A&E, 10PM
- Comedy Bang! Bang! (season finale), IFC, 11PM
Friday
- The Ridiculous Six, Netflix, 3AM
- Transparent (S2), Amazon Prime, 3AM
- Tumble Leaf (S2), Amazon Prime, 3AM
- The Amazing Race (season finale), CBS, 8PM
- The 84th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, CW, 8PM
- Last Man Standing (fall finale), ABC, 8PM
- Undateable (fall finale), NBC, 8PM
- Dr. Ken, ABC, 8:30PM
- The Ultimate Fighter (season finale), Fox sports 1, 9PM
- Grimm (fall finale), NBC, 9PM
- World’s Funniest, Fox, 9PM
- Blue Bloods (fall finale), CBS,10PM
- The Knick, Cinemax, 10PM
- Z Nation, Syfy, 10PM
Saturday
- Becoming Santa, Lifetime, 8PM
- Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon, NBC, 8PM
- Da Vinci’s Demons, Starz, 8PM
- Premier Boxing Champions, NBC, 8:30PM
- On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Hallmark, 8PM
- Ash vs. Evil Dead, Starz, 9PM
- 30 for 30: Four Falls of Buffalo, ESPN, 9:30PM
- Saturday Night Live: Chris Hemsworth/Chance the Rapper, NBC, 11:30PM
Sunday
- Sunday Night Football: Seahawks/Ravens, NBC, 8:20PM
- Flesh and Bone, Starz, 8PM
- Behind the Magic: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, ABC, 8PM
- Madam Secretary (fall finale), CBS, 8PM
- The Librarians, TNT, 8PM
- The Simpsons (fall finale), Fox, 8PM
- Brooklyn Nine-nine (fall finale), fox, 8:30PM
- Agent X, TNT, 9PM
- Blood & Oil (season finale), ABC, 9PM
- The Good Wife (fall finale), CBS, 9PM
- Homeland, Showtime, 9PM
- Family Guy (fall finale), Fox, 9PM
- The Last Man on Earth (fall finale), Fox, 9:30PM
- Into the Badlands, AMC, 10PM
- Quantico, ABC, 10PM
- CSI: Cyber, CBS, 10PM
- The Affair, Showtime, 10PM
- Getting On (series finale), HBO, 10PM
- StarTalk, National Geographic, 11PM
Google Authenticator takes security codes from your smartwatch
It can be annoying to set up two-factor authentication and boost the security of your accounts, but Google may have found a way to ease your pain. It’s delivering an update to Authenticator for Android that not only touts a “refreshed” design, but receives codes from Android Wear smartwatches. You’re no longer stuck using this solely on your phone. To top things off, Google is rolling in early support (sadly, developer-only) for the FIDO Alliance’s NFC Security keys — in the future, you may only need to tap devices together to sign in. If you can’t bear the thought of logging in with a regular password, you’ll want to grab this upgrade in short order.
Source: Google Online Security Blog
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