Lunecase harvests excess iPhone energy to light up LED notifications
iPhone cases are a dime a dozen, but the creators of Lunecase claim their masterpiece can do something special. While it looks just like any other case on the surface, Lunecase can apparently harness the electromagnetic energy the iPhone emits and use it to light up its LED call or message indicators. It’s not even connected to the phone via wires or any other means — if what its Kickstarter page says is true, it’ll work as soon as you snap it on. Sound familiar? That’s because Lunecase’s creators, Ukrainian company Concepter, showed it off at CES 2014, albeit in a different form. The prototype presented during the event looked a lot different from the current offering, but at least it worked just as advertised. If this sounds more useful than a case that can track your blood pressure, you can get one for the iPhone 5, 5s and 5c from its Kickstarter page for a minimum pledge of $35. Just note that you’ll have to make do without its icon-like indicators until it ships, which the company aims to do sometime in August.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
Microsoft Research Demos Motion Sensing Keyboard with Gestures
Microsoft Research has demoed a new augmented mechanical keyboard that allows users to use motion controls either on or slightly above the keyboard to interact with their computers. The prototype was curiously made using keycaps from an Apple keyboard.
A low-resolution matrix of infrared (IR) proximity sensors is interspersed with the keys of a regular mechanical keyboard. This results in coarse but high frame-rate motion data. We extend a machine learning algorithm, traditionally used for static classification only, to robustly support dynamic, temporal gestures.
The gestures that the keyboard can recognize include traditional gestures like “pinch-to-zoom” and swiping to static gestures like holding a single finger above the keyboard to advanced gestures like turning an imaginary steering wheel.
It’s unclear whether the augmented keyboard, referred to as the Type-Hover-Swipe, could eventually turn into a real product, but it’s another step in Microsoft exploring motion control after its Kinect device. Apple, too, has been exploring motion sensing with its purchase of PrimeSense, the 3D body sensing firm that developed the technology for Kinect. The Type-Hover-Swipe keyboard is also similar to the technology of Leap Motion, who former Apple iAd chief Andy Miller worked for for close to two years.
Your fingerprint unlocks LastPass on the Galaxy S5
On any other phone, you’d have to type in the master password to access all your other passwords stored on LastPass — including the iPhone, where Touch ID gets you into your phone and iTunes account, but stops there. But on Samsung’s Galaxy S5, all you need to do is swipe your finger across the home button, now that the password manager’s Android app has been updated to work with the device’s biometric scanner. To set that up, you’ll first need to type in your credentials like everyone else, and then activate fingerprint authentication for future use. It’ll be a lot faster to add or change entries with the feature in place, and in some ways, fingerprint authentication is more secure than using a complex master password. We just hope you have no bitter enemies that’ll go as far as to make a fake finger to sabotage your digital life.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Source: LastPass
Apple Seeds OS X Mavericks 10.9.3 Build 13D55 to Developers [Mac Blog]
Apple today seeded build 13D55 of OS X 10.9.3 to developers, just over a week after releasing the eighth OS X beta, build 13D45a, and nearly two months after the first 10.9.3 beta.
The beta is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store as well as through the Mac Dev Center.
Apple continues to ask developers to focus on Graphics Drivers, Audio, Mail, Contacts and Calendar sync over USB in iTunes, and Safari. As was discovered with the first beta, 10.9.3 adds new support for 4K displays, offering “Retina” resolutions that improve readability along with support for 60Hz output from the Retina MacBook Pro.
EU prevents Motorola and Samsung from suing over standards-based patents
The patent wars are about to cool down in Europe… a little bit, anyway. The European Commission has revealed measures that prevent both Motorola and Samsung from using lawsuits over standards-based patents as offensive weapons against competitors, rather than last-ditch options when negotiations fail. To start, the regulator has ordered Motorola to cut out any “anticompetitive” terms in patent licensing deals with Apple and other companies. Motorola is allegedly abusing its control of cellular patents by forbidding companies from contesting those patents’ validity; companies and their customers shouldn’t be forced to pay for licenses that might not hold up in court, the Commission says. Motorola won’t pay a fine for the claimed violation since there’s no precedent, but the phone maker now can’t threaten a lawsuit simply because Apple wants to challenge the patents it’s licensing.
Samsung, meanwhile, isn’t waiting for the EU to take unilateral action. The tech giant has made an agreement with the Commission that prevents it from demanding injunctions over standards-essential patents for the next five years, matching a proposal it made in October. Samsung now has to negotiate royalty rates with any would-be licensee for up to a year. If there’s still no deal after that, an arbitrator or court makes the final call.
Neither the Samsung pact nor the Motorola decision will affect European lawsuits over regular patents, including those that arguably prompted the standards-related suits in the first place. They also won’t help with any related claims in the US. However, the EU’s steps should have firms thinking twice before they add more legal disputes to the ever-growing pile — and that’s good news for those of us who’d rather see companies duke it out in the marketplace instead of the courtroom.
[Image credit: European Parliament, Flickr]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, Google
Source: European Union (1), (2)
Sprint Bundles Spotify Premium Into New ‘Framily’ Plans [iOS Blog]
Sprint today announced that it will start bundling Spotify Premium with its new Framily plans, offering a discount on the service for customers with multiple lines. The music streaming service is part of the company’s new Sprint Sound Sessions program and will be available starting May 9th.
Under the new program, all new and existing postpaid customers on a Framily plan are eligible for a free, six-month trial of Spotify Premium that is followed by an 18-month discount on the premium service when the free trial is over. Framily customers will pay $7.99 per month for the paid service or $4.99 monthly if the Framily plan has more than six members. After 24 months, customers will pay the standard price for Spotify Premium, which is currently $9.99 per month.
Subscribers outside the Framily plan will receive a 3-month free trial and incur charges of $9.99 monthly when the free trial ends. All charges for the service will be added to a customer’s monthly bill.
“With Spotify, people literally have all of the world’s music in their pockets,” said Daniel Ek, Spotify founder and CEO. “Spotify and Sprint share a passion for music and technology that makes this partnership a natural fit for both companies — and the best music deal ever for Sprint customers.”
Spotify’s Premium tier allows users to listen to Spotify’s entire 20 million song library with support for unlimited on-demand listening and custom playlists. The service recently extended its free tier to iPhone users, allowing them to listen to pre-compiled playlists and shuffled music based on a specific artist or song.
This new Sprint partnership is not the first carrier tie-up for the Swedish-based music service. Spotify also bundles its Premium service with cellular plans from Vodafone throughout Europe. As a result, Spotify’s growth has been accelerating, and the streaming service may soon eclipse Apple’s iTunes downloads as Europe’s biggest digital music service in terms of revenue.
Microsoft’s Office for iPad Apps Gain Printing Capabilities
Microsoft’s Office for iPad apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint received their first major update today, gaining the printing capabilities that were notably absent when the apps launched back in March. The lack of an ability to print documents directly from the apps was a major complaint in initial reviews of the mobile productivity suite.
According to an official blog post, all three apps will gain the ability to print over-the-air to an AirPrint-compatible printer.
Your top request is here! You can now print Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations to an AirPrintTM printer. In Word for iPad, you can choose to print a document with or without markup. In Excel, print a selected range, a single worksheet or an entire spreadsheet. Of course, you can select the pages or slides you want to print.
Along with printing capabilities, the apps have gained a few other highly-requested features, including SmartGuides for PowerPoint and AutoFit for Excel. While SmartGuides help PowerPoint users align pictures, shapes, and textboxes on a slide page, AutoFit will let Excel users adjust the width and height of multiple rows and columns at once.
Each update also includes a number of bug fixes, along with a note from Microsoft outlining its commitment to continually improving its Office for iPad apps. “We’re already working on the next update,” reads the post.
All of the updates are currently available and can be downloaded from the App Store for free, but editing and creating documents requires an Office 365 subscription. Microsoft OneNote has also been updated with bug fixes.
– Microsoft Word for iPad [Direct Link]
– Microsoft Excel for iPad [Direct Link]
– Microsoft PowerPoint for iPad [Direct Link]
– Microsoft OneNote for iPad [Direct Link]
iWatch Reportedly Entering Production in Small Quantities Ahead of Fall 2014 Launch
Apple’s suppliers have already begun producing the iWatch in small quantities, according to supply chain sources cited by China Times via G for Games, ahead of a prospective launch during the second half of 2014.
Echoing an earlier report from notable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the site’s sources also suggest the iWatch will take advantage of a system-in-package (SiP) design that allows a multitude of chips to be placed on a single module. This could allow Apple to the fit multiple sensors rumored for the smart watch into a tiny area while keeping the device small enough to be worn comfortably on the wrist.
Traditional watch-style iWatch concept by Gábor Balogh
Rumors have indicated Apple’s iWatch will contain several different biometric sensors allowing it to track health-related statistics like heart rate, sleep quality, movement, and more. The sensors will aggregate data that will be stored in a rumored “Healthbook” application, slated for inclusion in iOS 8.
Along with including health sensors, the iWatch will likely function similarly to other smart watches on the market, integrating with the iPhone and iPad to provide notifications and quick access to frequently used apps and services.
Apple’s iWatch is expected to ship in two different sizes to accommodate different sized wrists and it may also come in multiple price points and materials. According to recent reports, Apple’s iWatch could make an appearance as soon as September, but a solid launch date remains unclear.
Ventev Featured Highlight: Latest Power Solutions Reviewed
Ventev is an electronics company that produces high quality mobile accessories. Lately they’ve stepped up with power solutions that we’re sure to love, and we got a chance to take a look.
Ventev Powercell 6000+
The Powercell 6000+ is a quick charging dual USB external battery bank powered inside by a 6000 mAh battery as the name implies. With built-in AC Adapter prongs, you’ll surely be able to quickly recharge your battery pack. I was able to charge various smart devices around 2-3 times before needing a recharge itself. According to the manufacturer, you can get up to 25 hours of talk time depending on your device and usage, and I concur.
From tablets to smartphones, this bad boy can handle the charge while you’re on the go. You can find this product on the eStore at Ventev.
Rating: 8/10
Powercell 5000
Like the product above, just as the name implies, this external pack sports a 5000mAh battery. Ventev wants you to be able to charge more of your devices as well, so again we have dual USB support. Charging of the external battery pack is done conveniently over standard MicroUSB, which I’m betting we all have a few extra of.
This product is easy on the go but may be a slight bit more of a challenge to charge without AC prongs, like the item above. You can find this product on the eStore at Ventev.
Rating 7.5/10
Dashport Dual-USB (R2240) Car Charger
This is your standard USB Car Adapter, with a few extra talents. You have an additional USB port, however this car charger can also handle your power hungry tablets up to 2.4amps. I truly love this product.
You can find this product on the eStore at Ventev.
Rating: 8.5/10
Powerdash (R900) Car Charger
This is not your average USB Car Adapter. This little guy sure has a trick up its sleeve, with a built in battery for a few hours of extra talk time after you unplug it from your car. This car charger is great for top-offs.
You can find this product on the eStore at Ventev.
Rating: 10/10
ChargeSync Lightning
Unfortunately for those iOS users out there, Apple didn’t do a good job with creating their Lightning USB Cables. They are thin, easily breakable, and very expensive for something you’ll burn through every 8-10 months, which if you have a family with younger kids, could be more frequently. Ventev responds by creating a better, stronger, and longer durable 8pin Lightning cable capable of up to 2.4amps for iPhone, iPod, and iPad users alike. Ventev made a strong, flat, and tangle resistant 3-Foot durable Lightning cable in an array of color options with a Lifetime Warranty, could it get any better?
You can find this product on the eStore at Ventev.
Rating: 9.5/10
ChargeSync Micro
For us Android users as well as owners of MicroUSB devices and accessories, (Smartphones, Tablets, Bluetooth speakers, keyboards, external battery packs, etc.), Ventev makes a great MicroUSB cable in a variety of color options. When it comes to cables these days, usually there is not much to say – they either work or they don’t – and Ventev’s ChargeSync cables work well and are very durable, whether you chose MicroUSB or Lightning options.
You can find this product on the eStore at Ventev.
Rating: 8.5/10
Overview
Ventev has added some great accessories to their lineup to keep you powered. Ventev has a good variety of products that can help you on the go, and my experience with the products above has been quite nice. Be sure to check out their Cases and Protection section as well.
The post Ventev Featured Highlight: Latest Power Solutions Reviewed appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Lunecase Uses Electromagnetic Energy to Display iPhone Notifications [iOS Blog]
Ukranian company Concepter today debuted a new Kickstarter project for the Lunecase, a new iPhone case that uses electromagnetic energy emitted from the iPhone to detect and alert users when a text message or phone call is placed.
The Lunecase does does not require a battery or a connection with the phone, but it is able to determine when the iPhone receives an SMS message or a phone call, at which point it lights up an LED on the back of the phone to create a visual notification.
The case is smart enough to tell the difference between the two types of notifications and the LED in the case is powered by energy emitted by the iPhone itself. Eliminating the need for a battery allows the Lunecase to retain a thin form factor while being able to provide notifications. Lunecase was initially shown off at CES 2014, where it received positive reactions.
“Accessories made for the iPhone can sometimes take the beauty and easy functionality away from the phone,” said Concepter founder Vlad Tislenko. “Lunecase brings the back of your phone to life and enhances the natural iPhone functionality with no batteries, no cords and no bulk.”
Currently, Concepter is creating Lunecases for the iPhone 5/5s and the iPhone 5c.
A limited number of black Lunecases can be preordered on Kickstarter for $30, with a white Lunecase also available for the iPhone 5/5s for a pledge of $39. Personalized engraving is available for $99, and all Lunecases are expected to ship in August of 2014.
