Fashion forward Fitbit Alta available at the best price we’ve seen
Fitness trackers can be expensive, but right now you can save big on the Fitbit Alta, dropping it to the lowest price we’ve seen. Amazon is currently offering the fashion forward fitness tracker in a variety of colors and sizes for just $85, which is a savings of $45. The Alta can track how many steps you’ve taken, how many calories you’ve burned, and much more with its waterproof design.
When comparing to other trackers, the Alta is one of the best ones you can buy right now. This deal is only good for today, December 7, so be sure to act quick if you want to pick one up for yourself or someone else as a gift!
See at Amazon
Best Streaming TV Services For Cord-cutters
Want to join the cord-cutting revolution? Here are some services you ought to read up on!
Cutting the cord is becoming more commonplace every year. While popular streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu have done an excellent job of leading the charge, some people would love to cut the cord but still enjoy the same TV programming their cable provided provides them.
Streaming TV Services are a blend of traditional cable and streaming services that allow you to access not only on-demand but also live TV channels, so you don’t have to miss out on your favorite shows.
- PlayStation Vue
- Sling TV
- DirectTV NOW
Playstation Vue
Available for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles across the U.S., PlayStation Vue lets you access some of the most popular networks on television for a monthly subscription fee.
They have four different subscription packages, that range from $39.99 to 79.99 a month, meaning you should be able to find the package that is right for you. All of the packages come with a slew of channels such as AMC, Cartoon Network, CNN, Discovery, Disney Channel, E!, ESPN, ESPN2, Food Network, Fox News Channel, Syfy, USA, and more! Plus, you can add individual premium channels to any package for an additional monthly cost.
PlayStation Vue also allows you to record live TV so you can watch it later, just like a DVR, and even has an explore mode to give you suggestions of what to watch when you can’t decide.
See at PlayStation
Sling TV
The first thing that may excite you about Sling TV is its price of $20 per month, but there is more to life than just its price tag.
Sling TV is accessible through an app for Android, iOS, Roku, and Apple TV, so chances are you don’t have to invest in a device to enjoy the service. Plus it comes with some great channels which include AMC, TNT, ESPN, CNN, History, HDTV and the Disney Channel, so you’re bound to find something to keep you entertained.
Sling TV does have a few drawbacks. There is no DVR, so most channels don’t let you control playback, and right now you can only stream to three screens at a time, so if you are a family with lots of TVs on all the time that could be problematic.
See at Sling TV
DirectTV NOW
DirectTV NOW certainly sounds like an impressive deal; you get 100 channels for $35 a month, which is the most channels for the lowest price currently on the market for service like this.
You can even get local shows depending on where you live. Certain regional sports programs, as well as regional divisions of networks like NBC, are available in the major cities plus you can add premium channel like HBO and Showtime for only an extra $5 per month.
See at Direct TV
Need more cord-cutting ideas?
With the holidays coming up we’ve found some of the best gifts for cord-cutters if you need some inspiration!
Pebble is dead and your warranty expired, Fitbit finalises acquisition
We first heard the news that Fitbit was on the verge of buying Pebble at the beginning of the month, one week later and the deal has been finalised.
However, it’s not great for fans of the smartwatch manufacturer.
Fitbit has said it’s only interested in specific areas of Pebble, including “key personnel and intellectual property related to software and firmware development”. The buyout does not include Pebble hardware. That, for all intents and purposes, is being scrapped.
Instead, Fitbit will stick with its hardware designs and manufacturing processes and just take bits of Pebble’s smartwatch software to enhance its own.
- Which Fitbit is right for me?
Fitbit CEO James Park says he’s confident the acquisition will result in faster delivery of new products and software updates, with the overall aim being to better compete with rivals and to offer products that can used as part of daily life, as opposed to just fitness purposes. He added, “We saw the acquisition as an opportunity to build on our strengths and extend our leadership position in the wearables category.”
In short, Pebble is dead and the Fitbit brand will incorporate some its technologies in its own products.
How does the Pebble sale affect me?
Pebble was forced to sell up, with the figure estimated to be $40 million, after facing intense competition from other smartwatches, especially the Apple Watch. The company used Kickstarter to help fund its product, with the first edition raising more than $10 million and was seen as a massive crowdfunding success story. One that didn’t have a happy ending, however.
Pebble issued a statement about the deal and said anyone who pledged money for a Pebble 2 and not received theirs yet, or an unreleased Time 2 or Pebble Core, will receive a full refund back to the original payment method.
Anyone who already has a Pebble watch can continue to use it as normal, but Pebble said it doesn’t expect to release regular software updates or introduce new features anymore. It’s also possible that “functionality or service quality may be reduced down the road”.
Any active Pebble watches are also no longer covered by a warranty for repair or exchange.
If you have ordered and received a Pebble watch from pebble.com, you’re not able to return or exchange it, but if a return was completed before 7 December, a full refund will be carried out.
Further information can be found on Pebble’s Kickstarter page.
Comcast finally allows HBO, ESPN streaming via PlayStation 4
For those who maintain a cable subscription, one of the (many) annoying aspects is that sometimes channels have streaming apps you can’t use, despite being a paying customer. Over the years, Comcast has decided that it’s not going to allow customers to use whatever channel’s app on one platform or another, but now the PlayStation 4 is off of that list. According to a tweet, owners with Comcast subscriptions can finally log in and use the WatchESPN and HBO Go apps on their game console.
Good news: Xfinity TV customers can now log-in and access HBO Go and WatchESPN on PS4.
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) December 6, 2016
As usual, there’s no explanation as to why it took so long (HBO Go launched on the PS4 in May 2015, WatchESPN just arrived in September). Even Roku scored Comcast support for HBO streaming back in 2014. Now, Comcast is one of the notable holdouts from the Apple TV single sign-on scheme. Whatever the reason, it’s resolved in this case, so it’s time to catch up on that Westworld finale.
Source: PlayStation (Twitter)
Fitbit buys Pebble’s smarts, but not its products
The rumors were true: Fitbit is buying Pebble. Well, its talent and intellectual property, at least. The wearable maker confirmed today that it has acquired “specific assets” of Pebble, including key staff members and its software and firmware developments. Once a shining example of how crowdfunding can help smaller companies share their technology with the world, Pebble will cease the manufacturing, promotion and selling of all its devices and shut down.
Fitbit says the acquisition will enable it to bring new products to market quicker and improve those it already sells. With Pebble’s help, it also intends to develop customized products and third-party apps for corporate customers and researchers. Bloomberg reported yesterday that up to 40 percent of Pebble employees will be given the opportunity to work with Fitbit.
In a blog post, Pebble thanked its community for helping the company ship over two million Pebble wearables and detailed what customers can expect now that it is shutting down. As it stands, existing Pebble device owners will see no immediate changes, as Fitbit will “maintain services,” but the company says functionality could be impacted in the future.
The Pebble Time 2, Pebble Core, and Pebble Time Round Kickstarter Editions won’t go into final production and all backers who haven’t already received their device will be refunded. There could be a wait, though, as Pebble said it will remunerate pledges by March 2017.
It’s a sad end for Pebble, which had managed to carve out a small niche in the wearable market with its e-paper smartwatches but struggled to innovate as bigger players like Apple, Samsung and, of course, Fitbit launched similar products. The startup found it hard to find cash, cutting a quarter of its workforce in March, even though it had previously set records on Kickstarter.
“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to each and every Pebbler for making awesome happen with us over the years,” says Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky. “Our community is vibrant. Our community is passionate. You are what made Pebble special and worth fighting for, every second of every day. We will always remember the love you showed Pebble, through thick and thin.”
Source: Pebble, Fitbit
Smart cycling glasses show data without blocking your view
You can already buy smart glasses for cycling, but they tend to have one big catch: the heads-up display partly obscures your view. That’s annoying at best, and risky at worst. Everysight thinks it can do better. It’s close to finishing development of Raptor, a set of augmented reality glasses that projects data on a transparent display on the lens. You’ll get navigation, speed, heart rate and other vital info without losing valuable visual real estate. They’ll even record your ride in HD (with sound), so you can review your performance after the fact.
You have a few choices for control, too, including buttons on the handlebars, a touchpad on the glasses themselves or voice commands. You’ll need to pair with a companion app on your phone, but that also lets you share data with other fitness apps.
A full-fledged public launch is still some distance away (Everysight hasn’t provided specifics). However, the company is taking sign-ups for a Test Pilot Program. If you ride at least 12 times a month and use fitness tech like bike computers or heart rate monitors, you might get a chance to try an early pair of Raptors. You have until December 23rd to apply, but there will be an expanded program in 2017 if you don’t make the initial cut.
Source: Everysight
‘Skyrim’ and ‘Fallout’ immortalized as virtual pinball machines
Xbox One and PC owners can now get their hands on Bethesda’s all-new Skyrim, Fallout and Doom… themed pinball machines. Available today as DLC for the free game Pinball FX 2, Microsoft gamers can trial these new tables for a limited time at no extra cost. If, however, you find yourself wanting to return to Bethesda’s machines, the pack of three will set you back $11 (£8).
While we’re not usually ones to get excited about digital pinball, the level of detail in these lovingly crafted machines really is something else. Featuring fully rendered models of fire-breathing dragons, vault-dwellers unleashing VAT-powered shots and even Skyrim’s lock-picking mini-game, these detail-packed pinball machines are bursting with game references.
Given the recent release of Dishonored 2, the franchise’s omission seems like a bit of an odd decision. Still, with the Prey reboot only a few months away (and these tables costing nothing to try) this is a cheap way to satisfy that Bethesda itch.
Source: Xbox
‘iPhone 7s’ and ‘iPhone 7s Plus’ Said to Come in All-New Red Color, Lack New Design and Wireless Charging
Apple will release updated versions of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus next year, aptly called the “iPhone 7s” and “iPhone 7s Plus,” according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara.
The report claims the smartphones will retain the same aluminum design as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, with only internal changes, including the addition of a faster A11 chip.
The report added it is highly probable the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus will come in an all-new red color alongside current Black, Jet Black, Gold, Rose Gold, and Silver options.
Multiple rumors suggest Apple plans to release three new iPhone models next year, including updated 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models with traditional LCD displays and a larger premium model with an OLED display and glass casing, but reports have been conflicting about which features will be included on each model.
If this report is accurate, it could signify Apple’s plans to release a completely overhauled glass-backed iPhone with a curved, bezel-free OLED display and wireless charging at the high end of its 2017 smartphone lineup, while making only incremental upgrades to its traditional 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhones with LCD displays.
An earlier report from Japanese website Nikkei Asian Review said Apple plans to release three glass-backed iPhones next year, while it was said the 4.7-inch iPhone would get wireless charging, so there remains a lack of consensus among rumors—perhaps unsurprising given new iPhones are likely over nine months away.
Mac Otakara was first to report about Apple’s plans to remove the headphone jack and add a new Jet Black color for the iPhone 7 lineup, but its track record is not perfect. Its rumor from November about Apple adding a “Jet White” color for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus has also yet to materialize.
Related Roundup: iPhone 8 (2017)
Tags: wireless charging, macotakara.jp
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Phil Schiller Says November 2016 Had the ‘Highest Monthly Sales Ever in App Store History’
Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller today tweeted out that November 2016 had “the highest monthly sales ever in App Store history.” Schiller didn’t offer any specific numbers in regards to the company’s record-breaking month.
Earlier in January, Apple announced that customers spent $1.1 billion on apps and in-app purchases in just two weeks over the holiday season.
November 2016 was a record breaker for the #AppStore – the highest monthly sales ever in App Store history!
— Philip Schiller (@pschiller) December 7, 2016
The news comes after Apple updated its various storefronts, including the App Store, iBooks Store, and iTunes Store, with all of the company’s Best of 2016 lists. Apple also gave out designated App of the Year and Game of the Year rewards for the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and Mac. Some of the more notable apps mentioned were Prisma, Clash Royale, Life is Strange, and MySwimPro.
Tag: App Store
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Why is Johnson & Johnson getting into startups?
Everyone knows Johnson & Johnson, the conglomerate behind Band-Aid, Tylenol and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. By comparison, very few folks outside the tech industry will have heard of Hax, a Shenzen-based startup incubator. Now, however, the pair are hooking up to find, develop and invest in startups that want to develop a consumer healthcare device. If you’re dreaming up a gadget that’ll help keep babies safe, ease period pain or seal wounds faster, then applications are due before the end of the year.
The program is broken down into a variety of segments that match Johnson & Johnson’s actual consumer healthcare business. Startups are encouraged to join a track if they’re working on a skincare, baby care, wound care, oral care or feminine care product. Winners will be offered space at Hax’s Shenzen HQ and support with prototyping, sourcing, supply chain, marketing, PR and everything in between.
Hax has previous when it comes to turning weird and wacky ideas into products that people may actually want to buy. For instance, it’s the accelerator behind the Electroloom t-shirt maker, Bartesian cocktail robot and Prynt iPhone case printer. It’s also done plenty of work with health tech startups, including the Darma smart cushion, Focus headset and the Melon EEG headband.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen this happen; in November, chemicals giant Reckitt Benckiser teamed up with Indiegogo to the same end. On the surface, it looks like marketing fluff: A big company teaming up with startups to find the next big thing. But these companies spend billions on R&D, so it’s unlikely that they’d need some kid, fresh out of high school, would they? According to Johnson & Johnson’s financials, all of that research cash is coming to nought, and it’s hurting its bottom line.
Johnson & Johnson’s over the counter business, which covers baby shampoo, toothpaste, skin creams et cetera, is losing sales. In fact, most of its divisions have been reporting negative growth since late 2014, and there’s plenty of doom and gloom. The obvious reason for this is because most of the good ideas have already been used up, and you can’t improve Tylenol much beyond how it is right now. Not to mention, of course, that it’s hard to justify spending dollars on a box of Band-Aids when you can grab an off-brand version for cents.
“Do you like spending $20 a month on brand-name razors? – 19 of those go to Roger Federer”
– – Michael Dubin, Dollar Shave Club pitch video.
Then there’s the fact that modern-day talents are less inclined to go work for a big company than before. When the creator of the Big Mac, Michael Delligatti, died, his obituaries noted that McDonalds never compensated him for his blockbuster idea. Throw in the cult of the entrepreneur and the easy access to cash via investors and crowdfunding and it’s easy to see why folks go it alone rather than toiling away without credit in Johnson & Johnson’s basement. The rewards are potentially much greater if you do it all yourself.
For all of Johnson & Johnson’s research and development cash, it’s clearly coming up empty for reasons to justify buying its products. So, instead, it’s hoping that someone else has an idea that it’s not yet thought of. Maybe, in the future, these firms will stop trying to develop their own products and just buy up whatever’s looking to be the next hot new thing.
Source: Hax
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