Aug 03
The long-fabled Moto X has finally arrived, and even with less than top of the line specs, we’re fans
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Aug 03
If it weren’t for Chris Messina, #FirstWorldProblems wouldn’t exist. Since creating hashtags back in 2007 as way of grouping online conversations, he’s spent his time focusing on design and the open web at Google. Perhaps more accurately, redesign. Messina is responsible for the search giant’s revamped brand badges, profiles and +1 button, as well as helping create the Google Developers knowledge base. After over three years at Mountain View’s cavernous digs though, he’s leaving for something a little more intimate. Starting next week, he’ll call NeonMob — a sort of online art / trading card / sticker collecting-hybrid start-up — home. There, he’ll focus on the site’s growth and new media-activities like building a community. Oh, and as of right now, he’s two pieces shy of completing his first sticker set. Maybe if you help him out, he’ll return the favor — it kind of is his job, after all.
Filed under: Internet, Alt, Google
Via: The Next Web
Source: Chris Messina
Aug 02
The HTC One and Samsung GALAXY S 4 Google Play Editions feature pure Android sans the common Sense and TouchWiz interfaces, and for some users, that Android has been bumped to version 4.3 with an OTA update this evening. Though not all owners have received the update yet, reports are starting to roll in from […]
Aug 02
OpenGlass uses Google Glass to identify objects for the visually impaired (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili
Dapper Vision’s OpenGlass project sees Google Glass’ camera as useful for more than just hands-free pictures — it’s a tool for interpreting the world around us. To show that potential, the two-person group has tested two of its Glass apps with visually impaired wearers. The first, Question-Answer, lets the poor-sighted ask both Mechanical Turk and Twitter for help in identifying objects. Memento, in turn, automatically recites notes when the user looks at a recognizable scene; it can warn users about dangerous equipment, for example. Dapper Vision tells us that the OpenGlass apps will stay in limited testing until Google lets developers offer Glassware to the general public, but the company isn’t sitting still in the meantime. It’s devising a way to reward Question-Answer contributors with BitCoins, and it will demonstrate new Glass-based augmented reality software next week.
Filed under: Wearables, Google
Source: OpenGlass
Aug 02
If you were wondering just how long it would take the Google Play Editions of the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4 to get Android 4.3, we can now tell you: not long at all. Owners of both devices report that they’re receiving over-the-air updates to the new OS. There isn’t yet word of any GPE-specific additions, but we’ll let you know if there are surprises in store.
Update: AnandTech has noticed a few GPE-specific changes. Most home screen icons appear larger, infrared now works on the HTC One, and Bluetooth-based internet tethering is now an option for the Galaxy S 4.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, HTC, Google
Via: Brian Klug (Twitter), Ernesto Arias (Twitter)
Source: AnandTech
Aug 02
The Daily Roundup for 08.02.2013
Posted in: Today's Chili
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Aug 02
Google has launched Google City Experts, a new program aiming to take on Yelp and other local review sites by promising perks and praise for those regularly writing up their experiences at restaurants, theaters, and other locations around select cities. The scheme, which ties together Google Maps and Google+, promises “Local Insiders” access to an […]
Aug 02
It’s the freakin’ weekend, baby, and Vine has an app update for its most loyal Android users. (Actually, any Android user that has access to v4.0 or higher.) Semantics aside, the outfit’s app has just been updated with push notifications and more sharing options… or so says its Twitter account. The Google Play link is still showing a prior description, but we’re guessing the new build will percolate through momentarily.
Update: The refreshed version has arrived on Google Play, and mentions the sharing enhancements include the ability to share any public post to Twitter or Facebook.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Vine (Twitter), Google Play Store
Aug 02
Here is it: the Galaxy S4 Mini… for Verizon? As of now, Samsung’s smaller Galaxy S4 sibling is an international-only device; in other words, no US carriers have officially signed on to offer it. That said, a Samsung SCH-i435 recently made its way into the Bluetooth SIG’s website, and those who follow VZW’s classifications of Samsung products are all-too-familiar with the “SCH” prefix. Of course, a handful of leaked photos can’t confirm a release date nor a price, but if it’s already popping up with that label on the rear, surely the wait won’t be much longer. Hop on past the break for a side-by-side shot with an iPhone 5.
[Thanks, Anonymous]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, Google
Aug 02
Zagat: Zagat’s new app offers pretty much everything you can get on the website in both its iPhone and Android versions. You’ll see Zagat reviews and summaries, directions to restaurants and night spots via Google Maps, news and videos from editors, and curated lists varying by city. Most notably, this is the first time that all the Zagat content you need comes to users on all platforms with free—and without any prior registration. Right now, the update will only be hitting Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York PHiladelphia, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and London. About 50 more cities (both US and international) should be getting the new and improved app soon, though. [Free]
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