Donald Rumsfeld helped make an iPhone game
Like him or hate him, Donald Rumsfeld has been a jack of all trades — and apparently, that now includes mobile games. The veteran politician has teamed up with programmers to release Churchill Solitaire, an iOS game based on the card game that Winston Churchill supposedly played to sharpen his strategic thought processes. Rumsfeld was strictly a creative director (he’s not exactly a coder by trade), but his influence is everywhere. Reflections on Churchill’s life appear while you’re playing, and even the pricing mirrors Rumsfeld’s values — while the base game is free, hints and retries cost money (“there are damn few undos in life,” he says).
The title isn’t going to make you rethink your views on Rumsfeld, but it might be worth a go if you’re not averse to efforts with his name attached. It’s not only considerably tougher than regular solitaire, but requires the kind of long-term thinking that’s not always present in card games. A careless decision early on can ruin your chances of winning much later. Our only major question right now: where’s the Android version?
[Image credit: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images]
Via: Wall Street Journal
Source: App Store
Kickstarter project of the week: Olmose turns your old smartphones into a home security system
There’s a reason everybody and their mom is throwing all their money at Kickstarter projects. The place is teeming with innovation and creative ideas, but it’s definitely a hit or miss venture. While some Kickstarter campaigns are awesome, some definitely leave us scratching our heads.
The ‘Kickstarter project of the week’ series is an attempt to put together a curated selection of our favorite tech funding campaigns. Today we are taking a look at a Kickstarter project that will keep your home safe, protect your vehicle and re-purpose old technology.
Other featured Kickstarter projects:
How many of you have old smartphones laying around the house? These are often in perfect working condition, and we all know how annoying it is to try to sell them at worthy prices. Why not just keep them and turn them into a versatile and affordable security system?
Remember, these are pretty much portable computers, with all the tools to become self-sustained systems. Olmose is trying to harness this idea and turn it into the security solution for everyone. It offers a full-fledged experience without the expenses of a dedicated kit.
So, what is Olmose all about? There is the Dog Station (dock), which has infrered sensors and charging capabilities, but that is not what Olmose revolves around. The company is selling you the service, really.
The whole thing consists of two apps. Olmose Guardian turns any phone into a dedicated security camera, while Olmose Remote allows the user to monitor Guardian devices.
It’s a simple, yet effective concept. Using the Olmose Remote app, you can monitor any Guardian device in your home. It supports both video and audio surveillance, and you can activate or deactivate surveillance mode at your will.
When activated, Olmose will send a notification when any suspicious activity takes place. This does include night-time events, as the Dog Station has an integrated infrared sensors. To make matters more interesting, you can even leave a Guardian-equipped phone in your car and track it in real time.
But if this is not about the product, how is Olmose making money? As mentioned above, they pretty much sell you the service. Here are the prices:
You do get a discount and special treats if you back the Kickstarter project, and you can sign up for as low as €20. Interested? Just hit the Kickstarter page and look more into it. I think this is a very resourceful way to reuse all those old gadgets. It sure beats piling up those landfills! I suppose it’s time to dig into my old boxes and find my old phones.
New Apple Store Set to Open in China’s Largest Luxury Shopping Mall
Apple has announced that its 31st retail store in China will open in Qingdao, a port city bordering the East China Sea, on Saturday, January 30 at 10:00 a.m. local time. The store will be located in the new MixC luxury shopping mall, the largest in China, on 6 Shandong Road in the city’s coastal Shinan District.
A render of the MixC shopping mall in Qingdao, China
MixC Qingdao is an expansive plaza with over 400 popular fashion stores, dining restaurants, cafes and entertainment facilities, including an indoor theme park with a rollercoaster. The mall also includes an Olympic size ice skating rink and the most expensive cinema in China with IMAX and 4D.
The new store will be open between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time on weekdays, and between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on weekends.
Apple has aggressively expanded in China under the leadership of retail chief Angela Ahrendts, with new stores in Xiamen on January 14, Shenyang on January 9, Nanning on December 12, Beijing on November 28 and Chengdu on November 21. Apple also opened stores in Chongqing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Nanjing and Tianjin in 2015.
China is Apple’s second biggest market by total revenue after the Americas. The company experienced 99% year-over-year revenue growth in Greater China, which includes China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2015. China will likely eclipse the U.S. as Apple’s biggest market by 2017 if the growth continues.
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Watch how ‘Star Wars’ turns people into CG characters
Heads-up: spoliers ahead. It’s not shocking to hear that the frequently practical visual effects of Star Wars: The Force Awakens are still loaded with computer graphics, but you might be surprised to know just how much effort went into blending real people with virtual characters and worlds. Both IAMAG and FXGuide have posted clips showing the work involved, and it’s clear that there’s a whole lot more involved than green screens. The highlight by far is the rendition of barkeeper Maz Kanata. Lupita Nyong’o wore a special, patterned suit to let her perform on-set, and performed separate motion capture sessions (using a stereo head rig) to get her expressions down pat. The team also used software to tweak Maz’s facial features after the fact.
There’s more to the videos than that, of course. They show how computer-generated visuals were incorporated into more scenes than you might expect (Finn searching the TIE Fighter crash site, for example). Also, it reveals how even brief moments require numerous effects passes and extreme detail, such as Rey’s scavenging and a dramatic pull-out shot that starts in an X-Wing cockpit. Whether or not you’re a big fan of The Force Awakens‘ approach, it’s evident that the team was pushing the limits of what modern CG can do.
Via: The Verge
Source: IAMAG, FXGuide (YouTube)
Sprint gets ballsy in latest ad
Based on the major wireless carrier ads that are running during this afternoon’s NFL game, it takes some balls to compete in the market. The latest carrier to jump in the mix is Sprint which released their own version of ads currently running by Verizon and Sprint.
The marketing team games between the carriers started with Verizon when they decided to launch an ad campaign that used the imagery of different balls rolling down a ramp to demonstrate some points that Verizon wanted to make about their network.
T-Mobile took exception to some of the claims and launched their own ad using balls going down a ramp to point out issues with Verizon’s claims. T-Mobile leader John Legere also launched the coyly named #BallBusterChallenge to demonstrate T-Mobile’s superiority to Verizon.
In the new spot that was released this weekend, Sprint joins the train of rolling balls with a claim that their LTE network is faster than any of the other carriers. In the ad, Sprint says this is because they have been building the network of the future. Sprint also renews their campaign to offer data plans that are half the cost of the plan a customer may be porting over from with a competitor.
You can check out Sprint’s new spot below if you have not already seen it playing during a game on TV.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Sprint gets ballsy in latest ad
Twitter is reportedly losing some of its top executives
It’s not a good day if you’re part of Twitter’s top brass. Recode sources claim that multiple executives are leaving the social network, including senior engineering VP Alex Roetter, global media VP Katie Jacobs Stanton, product VP Kevin Weil and Vine leader Jason Toff. The reasons for leaving vary, but some departures are believed to be more voluntary than others — Stanton may be one of the few exiting on her own terms. If the leak is authentic, you’ll get the full details as soon as Monday (January 25th).
The departures would be sudden, but not unexpected. Twitter is still having problems attracting new users, and recently installed CEO Jack Dorsey has been cleaning house in a bid to turn things around. This would just be the first time that his axe falls on management in a big way. There’s no telling whether or not this will work, but it’s safe to say that this won’t look good to outsiders — while some new hires may be on the way, it’ll look like a loss of internal confidence.
[Image credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Source: Recode (1), (2), (3)
Beat the cold and stay connected with these five tech accessories
The great blizzard on the east coast just dropped a massive amount of snow. The sun is now shining and it’s time to dig out from under that snow. Going outside in the snow and ice is not only painful, but it’s a must with work and school tomorrow. We have selected five products that can help keep you warm, connected and safe.
Caseco Blu-Toque Dual Layered Bluetooth Knit Slouch Hat with Built-In Headset – LINK
- Wear your Blu-Toque while walking the dog, working outside, commuting, or going for a jog.
- Knit from soft synthetic wool, Blu-Toque is lightweight, warm, and water resistant.
- Blu-Toque is universal?it works with any Bluetooth device.
- Take calls and listen to music right from this integrated beanie. No more headphones, no more wire
iGotTech 3300182 Texting Gloves for Smartphones – LINK
- TEXTING GLOVES ~ Decide to type smart in the cold! No more numb fingers in the name of wintertime texting.
- SMART TOUCH GLOVES ~ You’ll LOVE the luxurious, soft feel of this premium material and brushed interior.
- SMARTPHONE GLOVES ~ Buy a couple pairs now! Everyone in the family gets cold outside, but who can let their phone go? You’ve got ’em covered.
- WINTER TOUCHSCREEN GLOVES ~ Our latest “Touch-nology” is all wrapped up in your fingertips for smart, fun, warm smarphone love oudoors
OtterBox DEFENDER Cell Phone Case
The cold sucks the power out of your batteries. Keep your phone insulated with a heavy duty case from OtterBox. The added protection will help keep your smartphone from developing moisture while keeping it protecting from the severe cold.
- Multi-layered case equipped with maximum protection for your daily adventures
- Incorporated screen protector guards touchscreen from harm
- Port plugs allow for easy access while locking out dust and debris
- Polycarbonate inner shell
- Internal foam padding
OtterBox for Samsung Galaxy Note5 – LINK
OtterBox DEFENDER SERIES for Samsung Galaxy S6 – LINK
OtterBox Defender Case for LG G4 – LINK
Syma X5C Explorers 2.4G 4CH 6-Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter With HD Camera – LINK
Need to check the snow build up on your roof? Rather than get the ladder out and climb in icy conditions, now is the perfect time to consider using a drone with a built-in camera. You can check your roof from the bottom floor of your house while staying safe.
- Equipped with HD camera and 2GB Micro SD card
- Perform flips at the press of a button with 360 degree eversion
- Wind resistant and can be flown indoors or outdoors
- 6-axis Gyro stabilization system ensures maximum stability during flight
- 7 Minute flight time and 100 minute charge time.
Bosch PSJ120L-102 Men’s 12-volt Max Lithium-Ion Soft Shell Heated Jacket- LINK
- 100% Polyester – Wind and Rain Resistant
- Imported
- Three Quick Warming Heat Zones – Two chest zones and one back zone start warming in a matter of seconds
- Three-Level Heat Controller – High (Red), medium (Green) and Low (Blue) for Maximum Control and Comfort
- Up to 6 Hours Heated Runtime – Maximum runtime with Bosch 12-Volt Max batteries on low setting
- USB Charging Option for Most Personal Electronics – While in Jacket Pocket (5V/1A Max Output)
- High Quality Water and Wind Resistant Design with Adjustable Sleeves and Waist – Maximum Comfort While Working
The post Beat the cold and stay connected with these five tech accessories appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Order the Letv 1s 5.5″ Android Lollipop 1080p octa-core smartphone for just $200
Letv has a sweet phone for just $200 with free shipping and a 30-day guarantee from everybuy.net. The Letv 1s is on sale for a limited time and it comes in a gorgeous all metal build with a fingerprint reader on the back of the case. Usually with budget smartphones you get budget cameras, but the Letv 1s puts the camera in its focus by putting in a 13MP sensor.
The Letv 1s is fully unlocked and comes with dual SIM capability for use on GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile. It also comes with a 64-but octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of base memory. These are quite impressive specs and are all packed into an all metal build.
Letv 1s – LINK
Main Features:
Display: 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 FHD Screen
CPU: MTK6795 64bit Octa Core 2.2GHz
GPU: PowerVR G6200
System: Android 5.0
RAM + ROM: 3GB RAM + 32GB ROM
Camera: Dual Cameras, front camera 5.0MP camera, back camera 13.0MP
Sensor: Gravity Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor and Fingerprint Sensor
Bluetooth: 4.0
Features: GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, Beidou
SIM Card: Dual SIM dual standby, one Nano SIM Card, one Micro SIM Card
Network:
2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
3G: WCDMA 850/1900/2100MHz
4G: FDD-LTE 1800/2100/2600MHz
The post Order the Letv 1s 5.5″ Android Lollipop 1080p octa-core smartphone for just $200 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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