Ford will build Google self-driving cars
Ford and Google are teaming up to build self-driving cars. Google plans to use their technology combined with Ford’s auto manufacturing skills to build cars for a self-driving ride sharing service. Nothing official has been said yet, but Ford will announce the partnership at CES 2016 this January.
This could not of been any better for Ford. They don’t have any self-driving cars, and only plan to start testing some on the roads this month. However, Google has been leading the way in this area with 53 test vehicles in California and Texas, and over 1.3 million miles with them. This obviously benefits Google as well since they no longer have to set up factories, order parts, or anything to do with making the cars themselves.
Also, the partnership technically is between Google and Ford, however, Ford will list it under a different name. This will be used as a legal separation from Ford in case something goes wrong, AKA, can’t sue Ford if one crashes in to you.
As I mentioned earlier, Google plans to use the cars for a ride-sharing program similar to Uber. This won’t happen right away, but that is the end goal. I also find it funny that Google invested around 250 million into Uber and will now be using their profits to destroy Uber with their own service.
Source: Yahoo
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Samsung shared a live concert with Gear VR owners
The Samsung Gear VR is a pretty cool device as is, but made even better since Samsung sometimes broadcasts live events in VR. They have already done a CNN debate and a football (soccer) match, but added to their list by airing a rock concert.
The concert was for The Gift, which happened December 19th in Lisbon, Portugal. The reason Samsung felt this concert was right for VR was because it was for The Gift’s 20th anniversary, and also to be Portugal’s first VR transmission.
Samsung filmed the concert with a two camera system, you could either watch in the front row, or right on stage. People from all over the world were able to watch as long as they had a Gear VR and the IM360 VR app from the Oculus Store.
Source: Samsung
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BlackBerry Priv might get permanently discounted in February of 2016
BlackBerry’s $699 price tag for the Priv handset is a bit steep for some, however, that may change time come this February.
According to John Chen, the CEO of BlackBerry, the price for the Priv handset will be cut down early next year. The handset is expected to get permanently discounted near the upcoming Mobile World Congress expo taking place in Barcelona. The expo is already set to take place between February 22 and the 25. A number of manufacturers will be introducing new handsets there so it only makes sense for BlackBerry to lower its prices. At this point in time, there’s been no indication on how much the handset’s cost will be reduced, however it’ll likely be a good amount. So if you’re hesitant on buying BlackBerry’s new Android-powered Priv handset, you might want to consider waiting.
Thanks to Seeking Alpha we were able to obtain Chen’s statement regarding the price of the BlackBerry Priv. The following statement took place in a conference call following the release of the company’s third quarter earnings report:
Good question. So we have a model obviously, of pricing. I think the pricing will hold pretty strong for the next quarter in Q4. We already have seen some of the POs coming in. Especially in new introductions, margin is usually pretty strong. But I’m not — but you all know the market very well.
In about Mobile World Congress time, we will see introduction of new technology from our competitors. We have maybe a midlife kicker coming in around that time, but I expect ourselves to have to reduce our price to be competitive.
We do have some unique features at PRIV, as being well-received especially in the security world, in the privacy world. But we obviously won’t fool ourselves to expect that they will continue to maintain the high prices that we could get today. So we have our natural trend and a model that goes through 12 months out and then after 12 months, we’re going to have to reexamine that.
Source: Seeking Alpha
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The Elephone Vowney is the best Android phone you can get for $300
$300 dollars will get you everything you want in an Android device, including free shipping. The Elephone Vowney is one of the most fully loaded phones of 2015, and best of all, is the unlocked price of $300 from Gearbest.com.
For your money, you get Android 5.1 Lollipop with a 5.5″ 2k display, an ultra powerful processor in the Helio X10, 4GB of RAM for ultimate multitasking, and 32GB base memory expandable up to 128GB with a microSD card. The Vowney also comes with a 21MP rear camera for ultra clear pictures and an 8MP front camera for those selfies we just can’t get enough of. There really isn’t much more you can ask for in a smartphone, and it comes fully unlocked without a contract or monthly fee.
Gearbest.com offers free shipping with every order and guarantees your satisfaction up to 45-days no questions asked.
Vowney Android 5.1 4G Phablet MTK6795 Octa Core 1.9GHz 2K Screen 4GB RAM 32GB ROM 8.0MP + 21.0MP Camera
Main Features:
Display: 5.5 inch 2K LCD Screen, 2560 x 1440 pixel
CPU: Helio X10 Octa Core 1.9GHz
GPU: PowerVR G6200
System: Android 5.1
RAM + ROM: 4GB RAM + 32GB ROM, Micro SD Card up to 128GB
Camera: Rear camera 21.0MP with LED flash and auto focus + front camera 8.0MP
Bluetooth: 4.0
Features: NFC, OTG
GPS: Yes
SIM Card: Dual SIM dual standby, one is Micro SIM, the other is Nano Card
Network:
2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
3G: WCDMA 900/2100MHz
4G: FDD-LTE 800/1800/2100/2600MHz
Gearbest.com LINK
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Oracle settles charges that it misled you on Java security
Oracle’s Java software is known for creating its share of headaches, but security is arguably the biggest. For one thing, upgrading to the latest version of Java Standard Edition didn’t always remove every old version — up until last year, it’d leave ancient copies that exposed your PC to attack. And now, Oracle is paying the price. It’s settling FTC charges that it “deceived” customers by failing to warn about the security risks behind its Java SE upgrade process. Larry Ellison and crew will have to both warn users about those risks and create tools to remove those older, more vulnerable copies.
Given that the issue was effectively tackled earlier, the FTC deal is something of a formality. Nonetheless, it could do a lot to keep both Oracle and other software developers on their toes. Ideally, they’ll think twice about sloppy uninstalls that leave insecure code behind — the FTC may not be so gentle the next time around.
[Image credit: Shutterstock]
Via: Business Insider
Source: FTC
Samsung SideSync update features Marshmallow support
Samsung’s latest update for its screen-sharing SideSync app adds support for Marshmallow, hinting that the group could be bringing Android 6.0 to its devices soon.
The latest changelog for SideSync offers some clues as to the future of Marshmallow on Android, even mentioning that certain changes will take effect ‘after Android 6.0’. Simply put, the evidence is mounting that Marshmallow is on its way to Samsung’s tech lineup.
Over on the Play Store, Samsung’s productivity app has been treated to some great user feedback, with the software proving invaluable for thousands of Samsung owners.
Samsung SideSync is a PC-Mobile solution that allows users to share screens, windows and files between their Samsung gadgets and a PC. The tool is compatible with the Galaxy Tab and Galaxy smartphone and also provides keyboard and mouse sharing, meaning it’s possible to use an Android device as a PC input.
Here’s the full changelog:
- Support Android 6.0 OS
- File Transfer improved (After Android 6.0)
- Add Video Player Option (After Android 6.0)
- Add On/Off option of URL Web address share
- Add Option File Save Path for Phone and Tablet
- Add URL Link of Notification Popup
- Usability improved
SideSync is also available to grab from the Galaxy Apps store, although the app changes previously mentioned aren’t listed there at the time of writing.
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Unlocked Moto X (2014) receiving Marshmallow from Motorola
Owners of Motorola’s Moto X (2014) should be able to download Marshmallow right now, according to Motorola’s discussion forum.
Users began posting about the update Sunday and continued Monday in response to a question originally posted in October about when carrier-branded versions of the Moto X will receive the updates. Motorola’s website does not indicate any plans to bring the Marshmallow update to carrier-branded versions of the Moto X 2nd Generation in the United States.
Source: Motorola
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OUYA Store revived and rebranded as ‘Cortex’ on Razer’s Forge TV
Some of you may remember a story from a few months ago, found here, in which we reported that OUYA had been bought by Razer for an undisclosed amount of money. Well it seems that the fruits of that deal are starting to ripen for Razer. Today the company announced ‘Cortex’, a revived version of the OUYA Store, which Razer brands as “A new chapter in Android TV gaming.”
This new ‘Cortex’ store is said to give gamers a new curated ecosystem for all their favorite games on the Android TV platform. Apparently, all content that was available on the previous OUYA Store will be available on this revamped version, and Razer promises many new titles in the near future, including games like Mimic. On top of bringing back the OUYA Store from the dead, this new Razer store promises a new proprietary algorithm, called Z-Rank, which they claim offers “best-in-class discoverability”.
What’s great about the Forge TV is that, unlike on the OUYA, the ‘Cortex’ store is not your only option for downloading content. Forge TV users also have access to the vast selection of apps available through the Google Play Store. Just like the OUYA Store, however, the ‘Cortex’ store runs in a seperate ecosystem from Google Play, so purchases made on one will not transfer to the other. While that may be annoying for some, having access to two different stores is going to assure gamers that they have access to the most amount of games, new and old, possible.
There is absolutely nothing to lose by trying this new store out, in fact you can only gain. Razer is giving out $10 to all of you who sign up for ‘Cortex’ to get some free games and test out the new features. If you are an owner of a Forge TV then go try out the new ‘Cortex’ store, and let us know what you think!
Source: Razer
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Solitaire app removed from Google Play after Lookout discovers malware
A solitaire app in the Play Store has been flagged by Lookout as being member of the FruitSMS malware family.
Let’s allow Lookout to explain FruitSMS:
FruitSMS is a simple piece of malware that Lookout has been following for over two years. It trojanizes legitimate applications, but then charges people for otherwise free services via premium SMS. Premium SMS fraud involves tricking a person into texting a premium-rate number. The victim’s carrier then bills them for texting the number, which is then paid out to the criminal.
Google’s own measures missed picking up on the app; however, the company moved quickly to remove the app — based out of Russia — from the Play Store after Lookout made the discovery.
The number of people affected by the still-unnamed app is pretty low considering 50-100 installations were counted by the time Lookout alerted Google. Lookout is using this as another reminder to know about the developer you’re getting an app from and use a security app as backup so you don’t unknowingly harm your device and compromise personal data.
Source: Lookout
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Samsung will soon make hearing aids
There has been some rumours floating around that Samsung will start selling hearing aids soon, but the rumours didn’t have much proof to back them up. However, we now have Samsung filed patents that clearly state they will be making hearing aids.
Samsung filed a trademark registration for the name “Earcle” in South Korea not too long ago, and mentioned a few hints that it will be a hearing aid line. Now, a new device has been found at the Bluetooth Special Interest Group’s (SIG), its model number is SM-R790, and is said to launch soon. In the description it even says Samsung Bluetooth Hearing Aid. Pretty clear evidence as to what it will be.
Samsung is also working on a few hearing aid software features. One is called “Sound Radar”, which will let users pick a sound source and then let them boost the sound. Similar to how a Police radar gun works, but for boosting sound. Not sure if the device that is launching soon will feature this, but Samsung is at least working on it.
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AIVAnet 