Google unveiled a new wearable today, though it won’t be competing with the Apple Watch any time soon. Developed by Google X (the company’s advanced research division), the experimental device is geared specifically for clinical research. It monitors not just the wearer’s stats (including pulse, heart rhythm and temperature) but also environmental variables like light and noise levels as well.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2015/06/23/googles-new-health-watch-will-keep-tabs-on-your-vitals/
Monthly Archives: June 2015
Instamic Is A Tiny, High-Quality Audio Recorder You Can Mount Anywhere
Chances are, there aren’t many people who need a high-quality audio recorder they can carry with them on the go. If you happen to be one of the few, though, that’s exactly what Instamic claims to bring to the table, at a size that’s way, way smaller than most portable audio recorders currently in the market.
Yes, you can use your smartphone to record interviews, lectures, and conversations. This device, though, is being geared for those who want higher quality in their recordings, like video bloggers who want better audio for their clips, musicians who want to have a clear recording of a jam session, or the guy hiding in a crawl space recording the same jam session so he can steal their songs. Or something like that.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.coolthings.com/instamic-tiny-high-quality-audio-recorder/
Camp Champ Packs A Fully-Equipped Mobile Kitchen Inside A Single Box
Want to bring a portable kitchen to your next camping trip, but not sure where to start? Forget shopping for individual items and just get the Camp Champ, which stuffs an entire functional kitchen inside a single wooden container.
Unlike most similar products in the market, this isn’t just a camping box with multiple compartments that you can fill up with your own kitchen gear. Instead, it’s a full-service one-stop-shop, with every single tool already packed in, so you only need to pick up one item to get ready to do some cooking in the wild.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.coolthings.com/camp-champ-kitchen-in-a-box/
SoloCam Adds A Mic To A Selfie Stick For Professional-Looking Solo Videos
There are few things that receive equal love and vitriol as the selfie stick. People who love taking selfies adore them (unless they prefer a selfie camera, that is). Everybody else is just plain old annoyed. The SoloCam takes the useful-yet-annoying contraption and gives it a professional flair, turning the selfie stick into a one-man production crew for the video bloggers of the world.
Just like other selfie sticks, it comes with a smartphone mount on one end that lets you take a snap with you at the center of the frame. Unlike them, it doesn’t just have a handle on the other end, but a full-sized microphone, so you can do your video blogs like a professional TV host with a full set of gear in tow.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.coolthings.com/solocam-selfie-stick-with-microphone/
Third-Gen Moto G: 3 reasons why you don’t need to upgrade
As Motorola’s third-generation Moto G begins to show itself in leaked photographs, we take another look at the original. Why upgrade to a newer model when the original is still running strong? We’ll tell you why – there’s no real good reason to upgrade at all. Motorola made a device that’s so compelling all the way back in December of 2013 that people are still using it. They had a rather strong piece of hardware on their hands, then they updated its software – multiple times. What’s left to do?
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/third-gen-moto-g-3-reasons-why-you-dont-need-to-upgrade-22390026/
Hello Kitty, B&O, Kevin Tong grace Android Wear faces
Smartwatches are no longer just geeky extensions of your smartphone wrapped around your wrist. They have also become fashion statements, some with changeable watch straps but most with customizable watch faces. Last December, Google unveiled its first special collection of watch faces for Android Wear, ranging from the artistic, like Un Petit Mode, to the whimsical, like Plants vs. Zombies. Now the Android maker is announcing its new batch of 17 watch faces that you can get, all for free, to make your Android Wear smartwatch match your mood, your style, or even your interests.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/hello-kitty-bo-kevin-tong-grace-android-wear-faces-22389940/
Amazon launches Android Lollipop-based Fire OS 5 for developer preview
Amazon devices such as the Fire phone and Fire HD tablets may finally be getting Android Lollipop in the near future, or rather, the Fire OS-skinned version of Lollipop. While most flagship Androiddevices have had the option to install Lollipop for many months now, Amazon’s Fire OS is currently still based on Android version 4.4. This may be hardly noticeable to users, as Fire OS is actually much more than a simple re-skin of Android.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/amazon-launches-android-lollipop-based-fire-os-5-for-developer-preview-22389938/
Apple Watch hacked to run Mac OS 7.5.5
In the weeks since developers got their hands on the Apple Watch’s watchOS 2 at WWDC earlier this month, we’ve seen things likenative apps running on the wearable, along with games like Flappy Bird, all due to tinkering with the software. Now, in a sign of just far our digital devices have come, one developer has gotten the Apple Watch to run System 7, or specifically Mac OS 7.5.5. That version of the OS was released in September of 1996. Making nearly 20-year old software run on a wrist-computer of today is beyond impressive.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/apple-watch-hacked-to-run-mac-os-7-5-5-23390146/
CST-01 watch project may be dead
Some of the coolest products that we see around here come from crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. The problem with any project that turns up on these sites is that there is no guarantee no matter how legit it sounds or how much press the product gets that it will ever come to market. The most recent case in point is that slick CST-01 e-ink watch we saw back in 2013 at CES.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/cst-01-watch-project-may-be-dead-23390137/
Parrot’s hopping, swimming Minidrones get official for US
Those mini-drones that cropped up on Parrot’s French websiteearlier this month just became a little more official, at least for those located in North America. The company has revealed the pricing and availability for those in the United States, adding more details on to the pricing and availability we’d previously heard for the European market. The Minidrones, as Parrot calls them, include standard quadcopters, as well as a water vessel that can zoom around on water, and a land drone that features two wheels and the ability to jump up stairs and over small obstacles.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/parrot-minidrones-pricing-availability-for-us-revealed-23390080/
Galaxy A8 might be Samsung’s thinnest yet, hits TENAA, FCC
The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge might have taken most of the spotlight when it comes to Samsung’s roster, but that doesn’t mean those are the only interesting ones in its lineup. The Galaxy A series launched last year to bring a semblance of premium, non-plastic design to a mid-range market, which did indeed make a few heads turn. Now the latest addition to that family might again be notable. The Galaxy A8, spotted in TENAA and the FCC could very well be Samsung’s thinnest smartphone.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-a8-might-be-samsungs-thinnest-yet-hits-tenaa-fcc-23390098/
Lenovo enters PC-on-a-stick market with ideacentre Stick 300
As micro-sized PCs on USB and HDMI sticks are becoming the new standard for entry-level computing and entertainment systems,Lenovo has announced its entry into the market. Dubbed the ideacentre Stick 300, the device plugs into a HDMI port on any monitor or television display, turning it into a Windows PC with more than enough power to browse the web, create documents, and enjoy media like photos and video. Lenovo says it will be hitting the US this fall, priced at a wallet-friendly $129.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-enters-pc-on-a-stick-market-with-ideacentre-stick-300-23390151/
HERE’s common sensor language could steer self-driving cars
Nokia HERE is hoping to get connected cars speaking a common language, relying on collaborative mapping to help self-driving cars figure out a route. The Car-to-Cloud interface specification has been released under a creative commons license, so that car manufacturers could adopt it without having to cough up fees in the process; each “message” sent by a car would consist of anonymized data, allowing road conditions and unexpected route issues to be shared without intruding on driver privacy.
Obviously HERE has its own mapping project, which continues to gather data for the so-called HD Maps the company believes will be essential to keep autonomous and semi-autonomous cars on track. Rather than the basics of road layouts, HD Maps include detailed lane topography details, down to the height of curbs and the camber of turns.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/heres-common-sensor-language-could-steer-self-driving-cars-23390154/
Verizon’s $4.4B acquisition of AOL is officially complete
U.S. telecom Verizon has announced that its buyout of AOL for $4.4 billion in cash has now been completed. As a result of the completed deal, AOL shares will no longer be traded on the stock market, as the company is now Verizon’s wholly owned subsidiary. All of AOL’s outstanding shares were purchased by Verizon at a price of $50 each. As was mentioned when the purchase was first announced last month, AOL’s main value to Verizon is as a large ad network.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/verizons-4-4b-acquisition-of-aol-is-officially-complete-23390158/
Fisker said to reboot with new Elux model, California factory
Fisker, that other high-style, high-performance electric maker that didn’t quite find the same success as Tesla, is said to be planning its rebirth after being saved from bankruptcy last year. This involves building a new factory in nearly the same neighborhood as Tesla Motor’s Gigafactory in Reno, Nevada, or somewhere between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. The other development involves an introduction of a proper successor to the Fisker Karma.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/fisker-said-to-reboot-with-new-elux-model-california-factory-22389936/
Toyota Prius SUV rumored in the pipeline
Toyota and Mazda’s collaboration may result in a Prius SUV option, at least if rumors prove to be true. Word has it the Prius SUV will (probably) end up being a version of the C-HR concept that goes into production, which means it will have more of a crossover look to it — though, of course, the design could be changed from what we saw at last year’s Paris Motor Show. Sources say Toyota is considering Mazda’s 1.5 liter SkyActiv diesel engine for the offering.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/toyota-prius-suv-rumored-in-the-pipeline-22390065/
Chevy Corvette Z06 calls dibs on CarPlay, rolls off production
You might have had your fill of Android Auto news last month because of Google I/O 2015, but that is no indication that Apple’sCarPlay is going to be left on the sidelines. In fact, it might actually beat Google to the wider market punch, and Chevy will be at the forefront. Chevrolet’s 2016 Corvette Z06 has been shown to be rolling off the production line and will soon be rolling out to dealers and buyers, marking the first widespread availability of Apple’s direct presence inside cars.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/chevy-corvette-z06-calls-dibs-on-carplay-rolls-off-production-23390095/
Deus Ex Aria controls smartwatches with finger flicks
No, it’s not the name of a new game or even an accessory for a Square Enix game, but it does veer close to the topic of seemingly hi-tech devices. As a device, Aria is actually quite simple, either a Bluetooth clip or a watch strap. But in action, it gets pretty complicated. Almost like magic, it allows you to control your smartwatch just using finger gestures, freeing your other hand’s fingers for other tasks. And since smartwatches these days connect to and control almost anything and everything, your fingers can control those as well.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/deus-ex-aria-controls-smartwatches-with-finger-flicks-23390116/
Vinli hands-on: A high-octane smart car upgrade
Shiny new connected cars may be all the rage at auto shows, but not everybody wants, or can afford, to swap their current ride for the latest model. Into that fray steps Vinli, an ambitious startup hoping to upgrade your car with WiFi, Bluetooth, LTE, an app store, and the power of the cloud, all for $99.95 and thirty seconds of installation. I took a trip with founder Mark Haidar to find out if it could really be so simple.
Haidar is no stranger to making vehicles smarter. He cut his teeth on the concept while creating tracking technology for the military, when went on to develop vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) systems for firms as diverse as Lockheed Martin and Staples.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/vinli-hands-on-a-high-octane-smart-car-upgrade-22389991/
Living with Ford SYNC 3
There’s a war going on for your dashboard, and while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto might have designs on your digits, homegrown systems like Ford SYNC 3 aren’t giving up. Latest iteration of Ford’s infotainment platform, SYNC 3 raises its game in touchscreen responsiveness, voice recognition, and third-party app support. That makes a whole lot of difference behind the wheel, as I discovered when I took it for an extended test-drive in one of the first 2016 cars to offer it, the new Ford Escape.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/living-with-ford-sync-3-22389885/
Land Rover makes special Defender to celebrate 2 million produced
Land Rover has celebrated a very important milestone in the production of its iconic Defender SUV. That milestone is the production of the 2 millionth series Land Rover and Defender. The milestone celebrates 67 years of iconic Land Rover production. To produce the special vehicle, Land Rover brought in ambassador Bear Grylls and a special team to assemble Defender 2,000,000.
The bespoke vehicle will be donated to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Born Free Foundation where it will be sold at auction. The auction will take place on December 16, 2015 and will be performed by Bonhams.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/land-rover-makes-special-defender-to-celebrate-2-million-produced-23390144/
Nikon COOLPIX L840 Review
For those wanting a budget-friendly digital camera with a healthy dose of optical zoom capabilities, the newly announced Nikon L840 is a promising option. An updated model to last year’s Nikon L830, the new L840 may look largely unchanged at first glance, but it offers more telephoto reach and includes wireless connectivity for the first time as well.
The previous model offered a healthy 34x optical zoom — itself an upgrade over the 30x zoom of the L820 — however, the new L840 adds even more telephoto reach, with a 38x optical zoom lens. On the wide-angle end, the L840 remains the same as its predecessor with an approximately equivalent 23mm field of view. At the telephoto end, the L840 zooms all the way out to an 855mm-equivalent focal length. The variable max aperture adjusts from a reasonably fast f/3.0 on the wide end to a decidedly dim f/6.5 at full telephoto.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.imaging-resource.com/
Sony W800/S(B) Review – First Impressions
The Sony W800 follows the Sony W710 from 2013 and takes aim at the teenage crowd or anyone wanting an inexpensive option to keep with you at all times for casual, on-the-go shooting.
Dropping in price to just $80 (from the W710’s $99), the W800 clearly has no intentions of breaking the bank, and with a 5x optical zoom will lend increased functionality over the camera on your average smartphone.
The 35mm-equivalent zoom range is an effective 26-130mm with a fairly dim maximum aperture range of f/3.2 – 6.4. And combined with the smaller 1/2.3″ sensor the camera will not likely wow anyone much for low light shooting, but will suit just fine for casual shooting at typical outdoor parties or strolling around town.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.imaging-resource.com/
Pentax K-50 and K-500 review: Lots of photo features but pics disappoint
THE GOOD
The Pentax K-50 features a weather-sealed body that’s unique in its price class, an interesting set of shooting features, support for AA-size batteries, and a relatively nice viewfinder. Plus, it comes in colors, if that appeals to you. The cheaper K-500 has the same feature set but lacks the weather sealing and color combos.
THE BAD
Image quality and performance, while acceptable, don’t match the competition’s, and the cameras lack an articulated LCD. Also, both the shutter and the lens make a lot of noise.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/reviews/pentax-k-50-review/
Nokia phones are making a comeback of sorts in 2016
Former world number one phone maker and ‘90s symbol, Nokia, is getting back to business – just as soon as its contract with Microsoft expires in 2016.
In an interview with Manager Magazin, Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri confirmed that the company will return to designing and licensing its own phones. He said, “Microsoft makes mobile phones. We would simply design them and then make the brand name available to license.”
…
Read full post here:
https://www.t3.com/news/nokia-phones-are-making-a-comeback-of-sorts-in-2016
Samsung announces mid-range Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7
Samsung has officially taken the wraps off the Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7 – two smartphones that we’ve been hearing about for a while now. The selfie-snapping duo are set to be released in China this week, but don’t bank on them heading elsewhere.
Samsung has announced the Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7, two mid-range handsets that have been on the edge of tech tipsters’ tongue’s for quite some time. Let’s delve right in, shall we?
…
Read full post here:
https://www.t3.com/news/samsung-announces-mid-range-galaxy-j5-and-galaxy-j7
iPad Pro (or iPad Plus): everything we think we know
It’s the way the technology game goes: no sooner has the latest and greatest gadget appeared on the scene than we’ve started thinking about what comes next.
Trying to predict the plans of the big names in the business has become an artform in itself, and such predictions always attract a huge level of interest from consumers and industry watchers.
With that in mind we’re turning our attention to the iPad Pro – as yet unconfirmed by Apple, but strongly tipped to be on the way in the near future. Here’s everything we think we know about it so far.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.t3.com/features/everything-we-think-we-know-about-the-ipad-pro-or-ipad-plus
Microsoft flip-flops on Windows 10 for Insiders promise
Microsoft promising a free upgrade to Windows 10 for Windows 7 and 8.1 users is definitely a great thing, but it seems that Redmond still can’t its strategy pinned down. It once sent confusing messages regarding Windows 10 updates for those running on non-genuine (read: pirated) copies of the operating system. Now it’s muddling the waters again for their own testers, at first saying the Windows Insiders who have been testing Windows 10 will get the update for free, backtracking on that position, and then ambiguously confirming it again.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-flip-flops-on-windows-10-for-insiders-promise-21389863/
Sony puts a price tag on Ultra Thin, Ultra HD Android TVs
E3 2015 might be over, but Sony had one last reveal to make that’s related to gaming and so much more. It has finally announced when its ridiculously thin 4K Ultra HD smart TVs will be available and for how much. These slates of pure entertainment flaunt their almost impossible thin profiles that make them look like they were directly embedded in your living room wall. And, being powered by Android TV, they can cover almost all use cases imaginable, including even productivity on a large scale.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/sony-puts-a-price-tag-on-ultra-thin-ultra-hd-android-tvs-22389873/
Apple Music to Taylor Swift: we hear you, we’ll pay
Taylor Swift has once again come to the rescue of the downtrodden and the abused in the music industry, publicly boycotting the soon to be launched Apple Music due to one particular point of contention: the free three month trial period. Whether you believe the artist’s selfless motivation or not, her open letter seems to have had the intended effect. Taking to Twitter, Apple’s Eddy Cue says that, yes, Apple Music will pay artists during those three months that users will be streaming their music without paying.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/apple-music-to-taylor-swift-we-hear-you-well-pay-22389878/