Hasta La Gadget!

Google has revealed new Android and iPhone apps for Zagat, along with a redesigned website, hoping to address critics’ complaints that it has left the restaurant review service to stagnate since acquiring it in late 2011. The new apps now have restaurant news and videos integrated, and Google has dropped the registration and fees, making the ratings accessible to all.

Zagat now offers curated lists for locations, to help cut through the surfeit of choice and break down selections like the spiciest restaurants in New York City, the best San Francisco restaurants to try when everyone else is out of town, and the places to pick when you’re dining on an expense account in London’s Canary Wharf. They’re linked into Google’s existing search and map browsing, of course.

So far, nine cities – Austin, Boston, Chigaco, LA, NYC, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. in the US, and London in Europe – are supported with the new content. However, Google says it expects to expand to fifty locations worldwide.

Google “New Zagat” overview:

That will eventually include not only restaurants and nightlife, but hotels, recommended shops, and other points of interest. In the meantime, though, you may find that a city previously supported is now no longer included; Google says it will “soon make our existing ratings and reviews” available on the main site.

The new features and apps are a much-anticipated change to Zagat, which has been generally under-capitalized on since Google acquired it in October 2011. Then, the $151m deal was described as a way for the search company to bolster its review portfolio, though beyond Google+ Local integration there was little sign of product development.

Now, you’ll need a Google+ account to access the updated functionality, but there’s no subscription fee. Meanwhile, Google+ Local is being axed on August 7, meaning the dedicated Zagat app will be pushed to the fore.

Zagat rebooted as Google drops fees and revamps apps is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
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When it comes to apps, they will more often than not need to be updated from time to time in order to keep up with the Joneses. Nokia is not different from the rest either (which is a good thing, actually), and we have word that the Nokia Pro Cam app has just received an update. This is one app that enables you to control the settings of the back camera which is located on the Nokia Lumia 1020, where you will be allowed to capture 38-megapixel photos among other functions. The update brings even more functionality to the table, where you will now be able to enjoy exposure bracketing to the functions of the rear camera, letting you personalize the use of the app.

This particular tool would let you capture a bunch of photographs with the option of using anywhere from 3 to 5 different exposure settings. The choices on offer would include -5EV to +5EV, -1EV to +1EV and -2EV to +2EV. In layman’s terms, you can more or less snap a bunch of photos, one after another, but the kicker is this – each one of these photos will feature a different exposure setting. This in turn increases the chances that at least one of the pictures you just captured will have a perfect outcome. Sort of a “spray and pray” tactic, no? [App Page]

Like It , +1 , Tweet It , Pin It | Nokia Updates Pro Cam App original content from Ubergizmo.

When Google debuted Hangouts at I/O, it looked like a pretty nifty idea, but since then, the app has been plagued with its share of performance issues. A new update, available today in the Google Play store, aims to rectify that by adding a hint of Project Butter to the Hangouts mix. Google is smearing Butter on the app (like a wayward child with his head stuck in the banisters) in the hopes that it’ll smooth out the kinks and speed up performance. Also included in the update is a brand new set of emoji, so you can continue to abandon the written word in favor of cutesy hieroglyphics. We jest, of course. Who doesn’t love some good emoji? To get the upgrade, head on over to the source link below.

Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google

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Via: Android Central

Source: Google Play

Connected gizmos for dogs are having a moment, thanks to the likes of FitBark and other canine activity trackers. But here’s a connected gadget designed for dog owners to interact with their pet, rather than keep tabs on its health. Indeed, overuse of the PetziConnect’s treat dispenser feature may require some kind of health monitoring tech so push the treat button with caution.

Fortunately PetizConnect has other functions, that do not rely on treats to make pet and pet owner happy. Specifically it includes a wireless HD camera and a microphone so that pet owners can remotely summon Fido from his afternoon snooze and then watch as he cocks his head quizzically, wondering why his master’s voice is coming out of a box plugged in the wall.

As well as letting pet owners remotely view and coo at their dogs, and reward interest in a disembodied voice with the occasional tangible treat — dispensed via a button in the Android or iOS app or via a web client — the PetziConnect lets them take photos and record video. Which does, incidentally, beg the question how secure are Petzila’s systems — since once the device is up and running you will have a wireless, Internet-connected eye peeking into your home. Still, it’s designed to be plugged in at dog height so its view of any larger home occupants is probably going to be pretty partial. (Uhh, unless they happen to be rolling around on the floor nearby…)

Petzila was seeking $30,000 via Indiegogo to get the first batch of its connected dog-treating gizmo manufactured but has already passed that goal, with 40 days still left to run on its crowdfunding campaign. PetziConnects — which it says are rugged enough to deal with being mauled by a frenzied Fido hoping to get more treats/liberate its owner from inside the box — are due to ship to backers in December. The current lowest price-tag for crowdbackers wanting to bag a device is $99.

Update: Here’s what a Petzila spokesman had to say on the security point: “PetziConnect is built upon a 128-/256-bit encrypted, proprietary transport layer that blanket secures our three Petzila modules — Portal (mobile or web), Cloud, PetziConnect. In layman’s terms, we built the system bottoms-up to be end-to-end bullet proof secure.”

Looks like Google+ Local for iOS is destined to live a short life that’ll end on August 7th. Mountain View recently sent out emails announcing its plan to axe the standalone app — something you might’ve been expecting since its features were integrated into the latest version of Google Maps. Its functionality lives on as Explore on Maps, and you can still use it to find local establishments and read reviews by fellow users à la Yelp. As ratings and reviews are also preserved on Google+ profiles, the app’s death won’t mean much when you look for somewhere to go on a night out.

Filed under: Cellphones, Google

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Via: 9to5mac