Jul 14
Jul 13
A number of issues have plagued WhatsApp on Windows Phone 8, but hopefully this latest update has addressed some of them. While it’s yet to integrate a VoIP function like Viber and other competitors, the new version allows you to initiate a call through the phone’s dialer. It promises to fix notification problems as well, although you can still see a lot of complaints about push notifications on the Windows Phone Store. The latest version also adds support for Windows Phone background agents, which prevents the app from killing off music and other tasks. Let’s not forget the new emoticons, because WhatsApp sure deserves a smiley for these much-needed changes.
Via: My Nokia Blog
Jul 12
Audible for Android gets design overhaul, improved library management and more
Posted in: Today's Chili
Amazon knows that although a number people prefer (or need, in some cases ) audio over visuals to absorb published works, it’s still very important to provide a pleasant experience on the design front. In light of this, the Audible Android app has now been updated with a completely redesigned user interface, bringing along an enhanced navigating experience and an easier, more simplified way to manage your library. Audible listeners will also see a new “chapter-level” progress bar within the player, while other under-the-hood tweaks were made to improve the general performance and stability of the application. You don’t have to wait to download version 1.5, as it’s available as we speak from the Google Play store.
Filed under: Misc, Software, Amazon
Via: Android Police
Source: Google Play
Jul 12
Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their most recent picks. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt’s newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.
Filed under: Misc
Jul 12
B&O Play’s Corporate VP Henrik Taudorf Lorensen on Path and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum
Posted in: Today's Chili
Every week, a new and interesting human being tackles our decidedly geeky take on the Proustian Q&A. This is the Engadget Questionnaire.
In this installment of our regular session of inquiry, B&O Play’s Corporate Vice President Henrik Taudof Lorensen discusses the focused Path and face-to-face connectivity. Meet us on the other side of the break to peruse the full lot of answers.
Filed under: Misc
Source: Distro Issue 98
Jul 12
We’re sure AeroVelo team members think every sleepless night and pedal push are worth it now that they can add the prestigious $250,000 Sikorsky Prize to their pile of bragging rights. They’ve completely demolished all the requirements needed to win the human-powered helicopter competition during one of their recent attempts. Atlas, their flying contraption, stayed in the air for 64.11 seconds, flew at a max altitude of 3.3 meters (10.8 feet) and never meandered beyond the designated 10 x 10 meter (33 x 33 feet) area. The University of Toronto’s creation was locked in head-to-head battle with the University of Maryland’s Gamera chopper for quite some time, but it’s finally bagged the prize that had remained unclaimed for 33 long years. That’s a tremendous accomplishment for anyone, especially for a project with humble beginnings, and if Leonardo Da Vinci were still alive, he’d extend a big congratulazione.
Filed under: Misc
Via: Popular Mechanics
Source: AeroVelo
Jul 11
A new of version of Vine for Android brings the app up to par with its iOS sibling, which received bug fixes and new tools earlier this July. In addition to new channels, Vine 1.3.1 gives you a hand in making better six-second clips by introducing the focus, grid and ghost (shows your previous shots) camera tools. You can now also revine — the company’s word for repost, à la retweet — friends’ posts from within the app and mute all the short but rackety videos through a new button in the menu. The most notable entry on the changelog, however, is the Capture widget designed to launch recording mode right from your home screen. It’s exclusive to Android at the moment, but who knows what surprises Vine may have when it launches on WP8.
Filed under: Misc
Source: Vine (Twitter), Google Play
Jul 11
Shinsaibashi D Sta – With 3D scanning technology – Make an original figure doll that looks very much like you!
Posted in: Today's Chili
3D print studio “Shinsaibashi D Sta”, which Roice Entertaiment runs, has started offering an interesting service with 3D scanning/printing technology – They scan full-length figure of a client using a 3D scanner and produce an original 3D figure doll that looks very much like the client.
A basic 15cm-tall figure doll plan is ¥42,000. There are other several plans such as “Wedding Course” that includes 2 figure dolls of a bridal couple (¥58,000 or more) and “Cosplay Course” (¥37,000).
According to Roice Entertainment, they need only 2 minutes to scan a client while other companies in Japan that offer the same kind of service need about 15 minutes for the scanning process.
Via:
ASCII
Shinsaibashi D Sta
Jul 10
This is the Modem World: Four ways to fix e-commerce and shipping companies
Posted in: Today's ChiliEach week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology.
I’m going out of my head right now. I came home hoping to find my cool new Santa Cruz mountain biking jersey all wrapped in plastic thanks to UPS via Chainlove.com, my crazy-discounted gear site of choice. We’re not talking anything expensive — I think the thing cost me $20, but I was psyched to have a team jersey from my favorite bike company. I’m a bike dork, what can I say?
I should have been skeptical when I tracked my package from the office to learn that it had been left at my “front door” at exactly 2:00 PM. While it’s possible the driver hit the 2 PM mark on the head, it’s unlikely that he or she left anything at my “front door” given that it’s three stories or 76 stairs — my mom counts and complains every time she visits — above the street. In fact, every single delivery I’ve ever received here was tossed over my little wooden fence. But in my head, everything was fine. The jersey was waiting for me, my future as a Santa Cruz team member assured. Victory was mine.
Jul 07
Realtime restaurant status app means you’ll never have to wait in line again
Posted in: Today's ChiliThis system, developed for restaurant chains, collects restaurant status data in real time, and shows app users which restaurants have seating available. The RealtimeManager software from Science Works’ was released in November 2012.
Most POS systems collect data when customers are ready to pay their bill, but this system accumulates data as the customers are ordering, allowing the restaurant manager or chain headquarters to provide smartphone users with seating availability information in real time based on the situation. This system can be integrated into the top three order entry systems in Japan, which are used by 90% of the market.
“RealtimeManager is our solution that collects data from handheld order entry systems in restaurants. This data is then tabulated to produce a ratio of available seating. A list is generated of eateries with available seats, and these eateries are listed in Yahoo search results. For users of the Hot Pepper restaurant guide website, information on the percentage of available seats is presented, so based on this data information on how many customers can be accommodated at that time is provided.”
This service, which does not require any extra work by restaurant employees, analyzes information chronologically such as order frequency, enabling chain headquarters to issue instructions to restaurants that will lead to increased orders and sales. It is also possible to have special discount coupons redeemable when there are empty seats.
“On weekend evenings, many eateries and especially Japanese-style pubs are completely full. If a customer knows beforehand which have available seating and which do not, naturally he or she will avoid ones that are full. This solution is very convenient because customers won’t have to go to one establishment after another only to be told that they are full. For restaurants, this means that customers will come when there is available seating, and they won’t come when it’s crowded. Restaurants have no option but to turn down customers if they are crowded, so this way they can inform customers beforehand, and at the same time attract customers when they have available space.”
This service is currently offered at approximately 400 restaurants in metropolitan areas in Japan, and Science Works is aiming to increase this to 1,000 establishments within the next year.
This content is provided by DigInfo.tv, AkihabaraNews Official Partner.
Via:
Science Works
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.