50137185
submission
jarold writes:
Now you can provide sight for the visually impaired with MySmartEye App. Launched by Starhub, a Singapore telco in collaboration with TribalDDB. The technology allows the blind to connect with a worldwide community of micro-volunteers who use their sight to help the user connect with the environment around them.
The visually impaired users can simply follow the voice commands and double tap their smartphone to take a photo. The picture or scene is then sent to volunteers in real time. The volunteers are alerted by a simple notification and then describe what they see by providing information in the comment box. That text is then read out, via the built-in voice-over feature, to the visually impaired users. Once users have heard enough responses, they can choose to close the thread by swiping three times on their phone.
50091723
submission
jarold writes:
Google has confirmed that Hugo Barra, VP for Android Product Management is leaving the company to join China’s emerging tech company Xiaomi. Sources closed to the matter deny the departure is related to the complicated romantic fall out between Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki. It was reported, that Mr Brin was involved with a female Google employee who previously had a relationship with Mr Barra. When asked, Mr Barra told that he had been discussing his move with Xiaomi for some time. He stated the following through his Google+ account In a few weeks, I’ll be joining the Xiaomi team in China to help them expand their incredible product portfolio and business globally — as Vice President, Xiaomi Global. I’m really looking forward to this new challenge, and am particularly excited about the opportunity to continue to help drive the Android ecosystem.
Mr. Barra’s exit from Google is a significant one for Google and its Android division. Earlier this year, Andy Rubin, creator of Android, left the team to “start a new chapter at Google.” No details has been announced yet as to who will be taking over his duties.
49958135
submission
jarold writes:
Xiaomi, perceived as a budget version of Apple in China, ruffled the market when its low end smartphone Hongmi ( which means red rice ) sold 100,000 units in 90 seconds. This and other cheap yet capable smartphones are especially appealing to the masses and emerging markets. Selling for half the price of known models from Apple and Samsung, they offer the same basic experience like web surfing, gaming, photo and video recording.
Apple is reportedly working on a lower-priced smartphone to sell, but it may already be too late.
49921265
submission
jarold writes:
Move over Samsung Galaxy Gear, Omate TrueSmart watch is here. Dubbed as the world’s first standalone smartwatch, it can work independently from smartphone. Omate TrueSmart has started production after raising more than $100,000 through Kickstarter crowdfunding.
The biggest selling point for Omate TrueSmart is its ability to make voice calls, text and social media messaging without a smartphone or tablet. As with other smartwatches in the market, it can be paired with a smartphone for notifications, access to apps and more. The developers even suggested it can work with Google glass to optimize smart wearable technology experience.
49821175
submission
jarold writes:
To keep its reputation as the most widely used video-sharing website, Google’s Youtube app has introduced new features that allows users to do more with less effort. The makeover includes, among others, a new icon, refreshed user interface and video multitasking function. It’s such a great delight, for most of us who breathe Youtube everyday.
The new design is neat that adheres to Google’s card-style interface. The major improvement is the video multitasking. You can continue to watch a video while performing other tasks such as searching for other content or browsing playlists simultaneously. To do this, just swipe down the video with your finger, causing it to shrink into the right-hand corner of your screen and will continue to play. A quick tap or a swipe upward will return it to full size. If you’re done with a minimized video, swipe it to the left to close it. Amazing! This saves a lot of time.
49784971
submission
jarold writes:
The “C” in Apple’s Budget iPhone 5C is perceived as Cheap or Color. The new low end iPhone is reportedly cheaper by $200-300 and will have polycarbonate casing in 5 different colors. This is seen as the firm’s response to consumer’s demand for affordable yet capable smartphones.
Michael Morgan, analyst at ABI Research says that “the days of great growth in the high end of the market are gone.” That is why Apple has made efforts to venture into emerging markets .CEO Tim Cook, reportedly, went to China twice to strike a tie-up deal with China Mobile, world’s largest telco operator with 740 million subscribers. If the agreement goes through, Apple could achieve tremendous growth in China which, currently, has only 4.8% market share. In comparison, rival Samsung enjoys 17.6%.
49766845
submission
jarold writes:
Analysts expect a continuous lead of Google’s Android over Apple’s iOS, with the inclusion of 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system in Samsung’s new flagship Galaxy Note 3. We believe, with all the information circulating, you know by now that the Note 3 is slated to be released on September 4, 2013 at IFA show in Germany.
49746955
submission
jarold writes:
With more than one billion users, Facebook is now developing an application that would allow you to shop and buy a lot of stuff by just using your Facebook ID and password.
Would you trust FB with your credit card?
49725397
submission
jarold writes:
Does Facebook use really make you feel blue? That’s what a recent study says so. It indicated that the more participants browsed FB, the worse they felt subsequently. The research was conducted by Ethan Kross and other social psychologists at the University of Michigan.
Supporting this view, other studies have also surfaced explaining the theory FOMO or Fear of Missing Out- a side effect of seeing friends and family having fun at parties or enjoying vacations while you are on a computer.
49663681
submission
jarold writes:
Who wants a gold-colored iPhone 5S variant? I do. It looks classy. Besides, you will agree, we already have enough of just black and white versions. French website, Macboutic released this rumored gold color version of the upcoming iPhone.
Notorious analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI Securities, who has an accurate track record, predicted the next iPhone will have champagne color version. He further added that the Apple flagship gadget will have:
128 GB memory which is currently available only in iPad 4,
A7, 64 bit processor that wil improve speed and efficiency by 20%
Sapphire home button with fingerprint sensor
Main Camera, 8 MP, f 2.0 aperture with dual flash lights
49574667
submission
jarold writes:
The heat is on as Samsung tries to steal spotlight from Apple by planning to launch its own version of iWatch-like smartwatch. This wearable computer, dubbed as Samsung Galaxy Gear, is expected to be unveiled together with Galaxy Note III on September 4, 2013 at Berlin Road Show.
The buzz began when Samsung announced last March that it was developing a watch device. Then, recently, news firm BBC reported a patent and trademark filing that reveals Samsung has registered the names Samsung Gear in South Korea and Samsung Galaxy Gear in the US.
49500745
submission
jarold writes:
With the new iPhone scheduled for unveiling on September 10, Apple has been reported to release the fifth generation iPad and the retina version of the new iPad mini in the last three months of 2013.
49470669
submission
jarold writes:
Apple is cooking up to launch two new iPhone variants : iPhone 5S and the rumored low-cost iPhone, possibly named the iPhone “5C”. This rumor is slated to be announced on September 10, 2013, just 6 days after Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will be unveiled or barely 1 month after the Steve Jobs movie would be released in theaters.
49452997
submission
jarold writes:
We are on the final countdown of Samsung’s launch of it’s next flagship smart phone Galaxy Note 3. It is expected to unveil at the Berlin Radio Show in Germany similar to the announcement of predecessors Note 1 and 2. Samsung has sent out invitation to the event with hints on what to expect. Notice the phrase “note the date”. Note 2 was billed a success with 5 million units sold within 2 months of release. However, with Samsung’s introduction of newer technologies, some analysts predict a more huge hype on Note 3 which could surpass Galaxy S4s unprecedented sales record of 10 million units sold in 27 days. That remains to be seen. Do you think Samsung will again succeed with it’s Note 3 offering ?
49440105
submission
jarold writes:
Most consumers put off purchases of tablets and wait for the new iPad 5 expected to be released later this year. Research firm IDC recently cited this, as the reason why global tablet sales fall 9.7%. Tom Mainelli, research director at IDC, said in a statement, “A new iPad launch always piques consumer interest in the tablet category and traditionally that has helped both Apple and its competitors. With no new iPads, the market slowed for many vendors, and that’s likely to continue into the third quarter.
