Jan 21
It’s Windows 10 day! Again . This time though, Microsoft had a ton of in depth announcements about free upgrades, the future of Windows Phones, playing Xbox games on PC, and putting holodeck goggles on your face. Here are the highlights.
Jan 21
I just put Microsoft’s new holographic glasses on my face. It’s one of the most amazing and tantalizing experiences I’ve ever had with a piece of technology.
Jan 21
Jan 21
Think you’re pretty good at speed-reading? You now have a chance to prove it. As part of a publicity stunt, author James Patterson is giving away 1,000 self-destructing digital advance copies of his latest novel, Private Vegas. If you score one, you …
Jan 21
Korg may have missed its September target, but the company’s take on the legendary ARP Odyssey analog synthesizer was officially introduced today at NAMM. If you’ll recall, Korg enlisted the lead designer of the original unit from 1972 to pitch in, a…
Jan 21
I experienced 'mixed reality' with Microsoft's holographic computer headset, 'HoloLens'
Posted in: Today's Chili
Unlike virtual reality, it’s much easier to describe what it’s like using Microsoft’s “mixed reality” holographic headset, HoloLens. Imagine you’re wearing sunglasses with completely transparent lenses, and overlaid on the world in front of you is a …
Jan 21
About a month ago, we reported that thanks to code sightings found within the WhatsApp Android beta, it was hinted that the company was working on a web client that would basically allow users to chat directly from the web to their contacts, much like Facebook Messenger allows users to chat from Facebook’s website and on their phone at the same time.
If you were wondering what that might be like, wonder no more because it looks like the WhatsApp web client has been officially launched. For those who want to check it out, all you’d have to do is head on over to the WhatsApp website and you will be able to start chatting with your contacts once you scan the QR code on the website that will basically verify your account.
Unfortunately for iOS users, the web client seems to work for just about every smartphone platform at the moment, including Nokia’s S60, except for iOS. According to WhatsApp, this is apparently due to iOS’ platform limitations that is preventing them from offering this service to iOS users, but hopefully they’ll figure a way around it soon.
In the meantime based on the UI, it looks like a blown up version of the mobile version of WhatsApp. Perhaps the developers will tweak and refine the UI further down the road, but for now this is pretty much it. As TechCrunch points out, should your phone die because you turn it off or its battery runs low, your connection to the web client will go offline as well which is a little weird.
WhatsApp Web Client Launched, No iOS Support At The Moment , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Jan 21
Thanks to instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, we are able to chat with our friends and family from different countries for free (subscription fee notwithstanding). Prior to this if we wanted to send messages to our friends or family members from different countries, we’d get charged more, but apps like WhatsApp have eliminated that entirely.
But what if you were to travel overseas and don’t have an internet connection? Data roaming is a possibility albeit an expensive one, and we suppose one could always try and look for free WiFi, or purchase a local SIM card. However if you’d rather not spend the money on a local SIM card that you’ll never use again, you might be interested in the WhatSim.
The WhatSim, as you can see in the image above, is a SIM card that will basically give the user’s phone WhatsApp capabilities, regardless of where they are in the world. In a sense it is an extremely limited SIM card as it would only allow the user to send and receive WhatsApp messages, which is great if you’re traveling and need to contact your friends on your whereabouts.
The SIM card will play nicely with more than 400 carriers in about 150 countries and will only cost you €10 a year. Now we should note that the €10 only includes the sending of text messages, location and contact sharing. If you’d like to send multimedia videos, you would have to pay more depending on which zone you are in and you can check out the rates via its website.
It sounds like a pretty handy tool and if you wouldn’t mind getting your hands on the WhatSim (which comes in nano, micro, and standard sizes), head on over to the WhatSim website to place your order.
WhatSim SIM Card Lets You Access WhatsApp Anywhere In The World , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Jan 21
How do you think Google might fare if they were to become their own carrier? Imagine if you they were their own network, it would mean that they get to bring in more revenue, and for Android users this also means that if you sign to Google’s network you won’t need to wait for carrier approval before your updates are pushed out.
As it turns out there is a possibility of that happening. This comes from a report from The Information (via The Verge) who claims that Google is currently working on turning themselves into a carrier. Now they won’t be a full-fledged carrier unlike AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile, but rather they will be a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) who will be purchasing from both Sprint and T-Mobile.
The project has been given the codename “Nova” and has been in the works since last fall, with some Google employees having already tested it. It is said to be led by Google executive Nick Fox and could possibly see a launch later this year, so an announcement at Google I/O might not be surprising.
The reports also claim that Google might try and get creative in terms of plan pricing and are experimenting with “communications apps”, although we’re not sure what that might entail, but Google Voice at the moment could be a taste of what’s to come. In any case take it with a grain of salt for now, but what do you guys think? Would you be willing to sign up with Google for your next carrier plan?
Google Could Be Working On Becoming A Wireless Carrier [Rumor] , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Jan 21
The Death of the RSVP
Posted in: Today's ChiliI’m not sure what happened. Maybe times have changed so much that we don’t recall basic manners anymore. Maybe life has just gotten so overwhelmingly busy that it just slips the mind. Perhaps it is just a misunderstanding in the actual definition. There are probably lots of reasons, to be sure. It still frustrates the hell out of me, though. I’m talking about the death of the RSVP. Those four precious letters that are the acronym for répondez, s’il vous plaît. A simple request for a response to an invitation to an event.
It is a simple thing to do in this day and age. I mean, seriously, it is a quick text to the host saying, “Yes, we will be there,” or, “Sadly, we must decline.” Even an email to the party host is quite simple or *gasp* an actual phone call. It helps the host determine how many people will be there so he or she can plan accordingly. Especially when it is a party for children. Who the heck wants to take the time to have supplies for 12 kids to do crafts when only four kids show? No one wants to pay for 10 kids to attend a party at the bounce house if only three are coming. No one wants to prepare food and then not have enough. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to help if one writes “Regrets Only,” either.
Why don’t we help each other out and just RSVP if our kid is or is not coming? Sure, sure… I get that sometimes we just simply forget. I am okay with that. Truly. No one is perfect! Recently though, I sent out 10 invitations for my daughter’s birthday party. Four people responded. I have no idea if six other kids will show or not show. I have sent emails to the parents that I have addresses for with a gentle reminder, but have not had any responses. I have no phone numbers to call. It is three days before the party. We are not a wealthy family, so I cannot splurge and pay for extra kids to show up if I were to invite more.
Moms and Dads — we are in this together! Reply to that invitation and let the host know if your child will be able to attend a party. You would want the same. You would want to know how many kids to plan for in regards to activities or perhaps costs. You would want to know if there are children who are actually planning to attend and won’t worry that your child may be disappointed on his or her special day. It shows kindness and respect to others. It is a simple task and an important one. Répondez S’il Vous Plaît.
A version of this post originally ran on It’s Really 10 Months. You can also find Kim on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Kim Schenkelberg: Although sarcasm is often her tone, she counts on her friends to know that underneath it is a caring soul. Kim obtained her master’s degree in social work soon after she delivered her first child. She practices in the fields of domestic adoption and mental health therapy. Kim co-authored a book It’s Really 10 Months: Delivering the Truth About the Glow of Pregnancy and Other Blatant Lies. Kim is a stepparent to two quickly growing boys. She has two daughters and one son with her husband. Lord help them. This is one crazy busy clan of seven! You can find Kim on social media sites @itsreally10months.
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