A physical keyboard for your iPhone – just the accessory you need to make certain you never forget BlackBerry. As if summoned by the masses of super-secret BlackBerry fans who’ve been disgraced into using iPhones by society, Typo 2 emerges as a second generation for the first BlackBerry-sued accessory. Why would you want such a thing? Because some people still … Continue reading
OnePlus, who have barely got a smartphone out the door, may be turning their attention elsewhere. In addition to the well received smartphone, OnePlus is said to be working on a smartwatch. Currently dubbed the “OneWatch”, this is one you’re going to want to keep an eye out for. What you see above is a design sketch; there is no … Continue reading
You know what they say – better late than never, but is it a case of being a little bit too late when it comes to BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) for Windows Phone beta? What we do know is this – BBM for Windows Phone beta hit the 10,000 sign up figure in a matter of 24 hours. Having said that, it is finally available for download over at the Windows Phone Store, which means as long as your Windows Phone device runs on Windows Phone 8 or newer, you will be able to get it up and running.
While it might still run in beta mode, this does not mean it will be handicapped upon installation. No sir, it will come with majority of the features that are already available over on the iOS as well as Android versions of the app. This means the likes of BBM Chats, BBM Groups, Find Friends, BBM Feeds, and Pin to Start ought to be available for Windows Phone users.
Isn’t it great that BBM for Windows Phone is no longer available as a closed beta? At least the masses will be able to give it a go, and this goes to show that BlackBerry still has interest in increasing its user base, and hopefully, monetize it in the process so that the company will be able to move forward and out into the black where its balance sheets are concerned.
BBM Beta For Windows Phone Arrives
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When it comes to our mobile devices these days, we do make sure that our respective devices are fully charged the night before so that we will be able to meet the next day’s challenges head on without having to worry about running low on juice, especially when it comes to a particularly important phone call or email. uNu Electronics, a smartphone accessories manufacturer, has made a name for itself in the world of portable batteries and charging cases, and intends to roll out the new Ultrapak range.
The new Ultrapak range will offer similar qualities of durability and portability as its predecessors, albeit with the improvement of being able to juice up the larger batteries within a short amount of time. Taking advantage of the company’s ULTRA-X technology, it will merge a premium battery which is extremely durable alongside an IC chip, which will manage the process for cells to charge in parallel.
This means the Ultrapak can charge up to 70% of its capacity in a matter of just 15 minutes, and the smart LED display will inform you of its load percentage as well as remaining time until it arrives at its maximum. Transferring juice to a power hungry device requires just a plain USB data cable, and that’s it. [Product Page]
uNu Electronics Delivers Ultrapak Batteries
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If you happen to live in Zambia, then take note of this – there is the Internet.org app from Facebook that will enable users in Zambia to gain free access to the likes of weather as well as health information, jobs, and Google Search, among others. In other words, free Internet! This is definitely worth an effort from the folks over at Facebook for sure. After all, while over 85% of the world’s population live in areas that do have cellular coverage, only 30% of them happen to have access to the Internet.
The Internet.org app intends to bridge such a gap, and it will be made available to Airtel subscribers in Zambia first. This would provide limited free Internet access. Why limited? Well, it provides access to 13 websites that will include AccuWeather; Google Search; Go Zambia Jobs; Wikipedia (now that’s definitely important!); WRAPP, a women’s rights app; and needless to say, Facebook.
The Internet.org initiative has a vision of delivering Internet connectivity to the remaining 4.25 billion people worldwide who are unable to get online. Perhaps Facebook’s Connectivity Lab could also step in to help in such a situation? Do you think the limited Internet connectivity will eventually be expanded to include other sites? [Press Release]
Facebook App Delivers Free Internet To Zambia
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When the Sony PS4 and Xbox One were announced, industry watchers as well as gamers alike were definitely interested in seeing just which of the two consoles would come up tops in due time. The Nintendo Wii U, of course, can be said to be a non-starter in this race if one were to take into consideration the graphical prowess of current generation consoles as a comparison point. Well, Sony has reported some mighty impressive figures from their Q1 2014 financial report, with word that the PlayStation platform has outsold the Xbox platform 3 to 1.
Do bear in mind that when we talk about the PlayStation platform, it points to a combination of both the PS3 as well as the PS4, while the Xbox platform would include the Xbox One and the Xbox 360. A total of 3.5 million PS4 and PS3 consoles were sold in Q1 alone, which was an increase from 1.1 million one year back. As for the PS Vita, PSP and Vita TV sales, those are counted separately, seeing a relatively modest increase to 750,000 this year from last year’s 600,000 figure.
Does this mean that the war is over? Not quite, as there are still some years left to go for the Xbox One and PS4, and the battle can only heat up in due time.
Sony: PlayStation Outsells Xbox 3-To-1
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It seems that Samsung has settled into a very comfortable pattern, that is, to time the release of its flagship devices during certain times. For instance, Mobile World Congress that happens in Barcelona, Spain, is held every February and that is where the latest Galaxy S model gets announced, while IFA in Berlin, Germany, which happens in September often sees the latest Galaxy Note version arrive. This has certainly led to speculation that the latest Galaxy Note 4 will be announced on the 3rd of September at IFA 2014.
The Korea Times claim that Samsung has set their eyes on the 3rd of September as the announcement date for the Galaxy Note 4, with plans to send out media invites in due time. Other rumors surrounding the Galaxy Note 4 include it rolling out with a metal body as well as sporting a flexible display.
Other expected hardware specifications include a 5.7” QHD display at 2560 x 1440 resolution, an Exynos 5433/Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB RAM, a 16-megapixel camera that sports an optical image stabilization, and an ultraviolet sensor.
In other news, we also did mention that Sony too, could be looking in the direction of IFA 2014 to roll out their Sony Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact. [Press Release]
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Could See September 3rd Announcement
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This post is part of HuffPost’s ongoing #PitBullWeek coverage.
It’s Pit Bull Week at The Huffington Post, a time to bust those long-standing stereotypes about pit bulls and other “bully breeds,” and also help some pups find new homes. Hundreds of pit bull mixes are looking for new families, and like the variety in the breed itself, the 75 dogs below are looking for many different kinds of homes. Some really don’t care for cats, others could spend all day playing frisbee in the park — but they all have a lot of love they’re ready to give out in droves.
Take a look, and even if you’re not in New York, share some photos of these pups on social media with the hashtag #PitBullWeek to help them find their forever homes.
HuffPost Green is launching a week-long, community-driven effort to bust the myths and raise awareness about pit bulls, a maligned “breed” that often bears the brunt of dated, discriminatory legislation that can make it near impossible for these dogs to find a forever home. You can follow along with HuffPost Pit Bull Week here, or on Facebook and Twitter where we’ll be using the hashtag #PitBullWeek.
Smartphones get a pretty bad rap, and not without reason. We tap away at our phones instead of talking to our friends, sleep with them instead of people, and miss crucial life moments while staring into screens.
But in a recent study conducted by New York Magazine, every demographic surveyed — from the “W’Burg Hipsters” to “Playground Parents” — said their smartphones brought them more more joy than anxiety.
So, is your smartphone good or evil? It all depends on how you use it. Here are seven ways to use your smartphone to make you happier.
Call someone.
Remember the days when you had to pick up the phone if you wanted to know how your friend’s day was? Your smartphone can do that too. Firing texts back and forth may seem sufficient, but Sherry Turkle, an MIT psychologist, has found that we “cheat” our relationships when we text instead of call.
“The complexity and messiness of human communication gets shortchanged,” Turkle said, according to Time. “Those things are what lead to better relationships.”
Better yet, FaceTime.
If you’re calling more than texting you’re already doing well — as Jeffrey Kluger writes in Time, Americans between 18-29 send and receive about 88 texts versus making 17 phone calls per day — but FaceTime and Skype are even better options.
Studies show that we need close relationships to be happy, and although actually spending time with another person is the best way to forge a real connection, being able to seeing that person’s face on a screen is a close second.
Download happy apps.
Sure, there are a bunch of time-wasting apps out there — looking at you, Angry Birds — but apps can also increase the quality of your life. Although we highly recommend escorting your devices out of the bedroom every night, if you insist on keeping your phone around, try downloading a sleep app.
Getting more and higher quality sleep can boost our health and happiness, so try SleepCycle, SleepBot or Sleep As Android.
Other suggestions include Embark and MetroNap, which can help ease the stress of your commute (and help you get more sleep), and Yelp and OpenTable. Hey, it always helps to have the opinions of others when it comes to monumental life decisions … like where to eat lunch. Don’t forget about Google Maps either — it always feels a little better to know where you’re going.
Use your smartphone to get fit.
Everyone has fitness goals, and your smartphone can help you get there faster. Using fitness apps can help you improve your exercise regimen, which will produce more endorphins, the happy chemical our brains release during exercise.
Try downloading the apps Endomondo and Runtastic. They’ll calculate your daily miles and steps and cheer you on along the way.
Take a “microbreak.”
There’s no question that spending all day on your smartphone will lead to a pretty unproductive day, but one study found that taking short breaks — adding up to about 20 minutes total — with your smartphone during the workday can make you happier.
“We found that employees can recover from some of their stress to refresh their minds and take a break,” said Sooyeol Kim, a doctoral student at Kansas State University.
Let your Smartphone teach you how to meditate.
Are you one of those people who just can’t seem to meditate, no matter how hard you try? With the large number of meditation apps out there, you may finally be able to enjoy meditation’s many benefits.
Try downloading Headspace, Calm.com or MindBody Connect and get ready to say so long to all that stress that’s been weighing you down.
Allow social media to make you happier.
Scrolling through your Facebook feed for hours feeling jealous of everyone’s lives definitely isn’t healthy, but studies suggest that social media can also boost your happiness.
In fact, Cornell professor Jeff Hancock found that students felt “more loved and worthy” after visiting their Facebook profiles than they did during traditional self-affirmation exercises. So as long as you’re not overdoing it, you can start viewing your social media apps as friends instead of enemies.
To take it to the next level, download Happier, an app that not only helps you express gratitude more regularly but connects you with a positive, supportive community.
Hey, there’s a reason the “W’burg Hipsters,” “Playground Parents” and more said their phones brought them joy. When used in the right way, smartphones are a fun way to pass a few free minutes, make your life easier and, yes, connect with people.
Earth got a “face-lift” early in its history, wiping out most of its original crust, according to a new model of the ancient barrage of asteroids called the Late Heavy Bombardment.
Earth itself is about 4.5 billion years ago, but it’s rare to find rocks older than those formed about 3.8 billion years ago. One reason older rocks may be missing is that they were destroyed when asteroids and comets pummeled the Earth, moon and inner planets of the solar system, scientists report today (July 30) in the journal Nature.
This artist’s impression depicts the surface of the early Earth covered by large impact craters and liquid water.
“The surface of the Earth was heavily affected by all these collisions,” said lead study author Simone Marchi, a planetary scientist with the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado. “There’s no doubt the crust was excavated, mixed and buried as a result of this bombardment.” [Photo Timeline: How the Earth Formed]
According to the model by Marchi and his co-authors, the meteor storm resurfaced Earth’s outer crust and destroyed much of the planet’s original rocks, similar to how a dermatologist’s microdermabrasion wand buffs away skin, giving patients an instant face-lift. They estimate that from one to four giant impacts by bodies 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) across before 4.2 billion years ago likely sterilized the planet, Marchi told Live Science. And there were three to seven smaller impacts by bodies 310 miles (500 km) across, which would have vaporized Earth’s ocean into steam.
“If you look at this model, Earth only became habitable after 4.2 billion years ago,” Marchi said.
A video showing the accumulation of impact craters as time passed during the Hadean and into the earliest portion of the Archean of Earth history.
Because there is little evidence on Earth to constrain the timing of such impacts, the researchers turned to the moon and to meteorites. They looked at the distribution of craters on the moon, and the age of collisions recorded in meteorites from asteroids such as Vesta. The team also analyzed the presence of iron-loving elements (the so-called highly siderophile elements), which hint at the timing of collisions after the solar system formed.
“We now have a full model for the bombardment of the inner solar system,” Marchi said.
The study not only pinned down the timing of the Late Heavy Bombardment, it peered back into Earth’s past, looking at how impacts reshaped the planet in the first 500 million years of its history. The researchers suggest Earth’s cosmic crash-up was punctuated in time and space, with asteroids and meteors hitting the Earth in bursts, and the Late Heavy Bombardment that pummeled the planet starting about 4.2 billion to 4.1 billion years ago.
“This study makes a substantial contribution towards understanding the conditions on the early Earth,” said Oleg Abramov, a research space scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, who was not involved in the study. “Its findings are generally in good agreement with previous estimates of crustal melting, ocean vaporization and sterilization by impact bombardment. This creates confidence that the scientific community is converging on an understanding of how impacts have fundamentally reshaped the early Earth.”
Windows in time
Little of Earth’s original crust escaped unscathed, the new model suggests. And that might explain another ancient Earth puzzle. Some of the only survivors from this hellish early period, known as the Hadean, are tiny minerals called zircons. The zircons are like time capsules. The crystals are layered, with each layer offering a window into a different geologic time period, all the way back to when the zircons formed 4.4 billion years ago.
The chemistry preserved in the zircons suggests they formed from rocks that were buried relatively deep in Earth’s crust, and had contact with water. Marchi and his colleagues take these chemical signals as evidence that the rocks forming the zircons were buried by impacts. Other studies have suggested early plate tectonics or volcanism buried the zircons’ parent rocks.
“These results pose an interesting idea,” said Aaron Cavosie, a professor at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, who was not involved in the study. But there’s a crucial piece of evidence for impacts missing from the geologic record, Cavosie said. No one has yet found shocked zircons, which are crystals fractured by the force of meteorite impacts on Earth.
“By the end of the Late Heavy Bombardment, the crust would have contained a global distribution of shocked zircons; the new model does not explain the absence of these grains,” Cavosie said. “The absence of shocked Hadean grains remains a mystery.”
Email Becky Oskin or follow her @beckyoskin. Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science.
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