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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

This is the Modem World: The dark side of Google Glass

Each week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology.

I want to be excited about Google Glass -- I really do. I saw Robocop as a kid and dreamed that, one day, I too could walk around with a HUD that would feed me information on call, receive messages and record the world around me.

But now that years have passed and I've witnessed humanity worship the smartphone, make prevalent voice-controlled navigation and perfect self-mounted, POV digital video cameras, I'm not so sure that Google Glass is going to be good for us as a society. There is a dark side to what appears to be a wonderful coming together of complementary technology, and I'm here to poop this party.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/GzBEoW-7h04/

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Never Stick Your Hand Into Gnarly Dishwater Again

You finally finished washing a big load of dishes by hand, hurray! But if the water is so nasty that you can't see to the bottom of the sink, the last thing you want to do is reach your hand in and pull out the stopper. Gadget to the rescue. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/OKyXSy0aNFc/never-stick-your-hand-into-gnarly-dishwater-again

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Track your family’s activity levels with the iBitz activity monitor

geopalz-ibitz-1

Many kids and adults nowadays have trouble getting off the couch and exercising. Running is not the most enjoyable activity for kids, and it takes time out of a busy schedule for adults. But what if you had another reason to do that running? The iBitz by GeoPalz has come up with a device and apps to promote running through games for kids and fitness tracking for adults. The PowerKey kid’s version uses the steps registered by the iBitz to power the games and to also unlock more games, while the Unity adult version tracks your steps, calories burned, distance, activity and weight (if you have a wireless scale) and uses this data to provide details of your daily activity level.

The iBitz comes in a variety of colors and is around the size of a pedometer, but with so much more functionality. The PowerKey kid’s version retails for $34.99; the Unity adult version is $49.99 and should be out later this year.

Filed in categories: Bluetooth Gear, Health, Fitness, Sports, News

Tagged: Activity tracker, Fitness accessory

Track your family’s activity levels with the iBitz activity monitor originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 5, 2013 at 8:00 am.

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/03/05/track-your-familys-activity-levels-with-the-ibitz-activity-monitor/

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Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source'

Google, according to reports from "a dozen executives working at key companies in the Android ecosystem" is finally locking down the open source and easily-fragmented Android operating system.

As it currently stands, Google hands over the 'final' code for each version of Android, and OEMs and developers then spend some time customizing the OS to fit their hardware, and to create a unique and marketable flavor. That's all set to change, however.

Over the last few months, according to several people familiar with the matter, Android licensees such as HTC, Motorola and Facebook, have been asked to sign 'non-fragmentation clauses.' This new contract caveat will give Google the right to review and pass judgment on all changes to the Android OS. Two executives at Facebook say that they're unhappy that Google gets to review its changes to Android -- which is understandable, given Facebook and Google are direct competitors -- and there have also been allegations that Google is preventing some Verizon devices from shipping because they include Microsoft's Bing instead of Google search.

Continue reading Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source'

Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source' originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-demands-veto-on-android-changes-stretches-definition-of/

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O'Reilly helps Japan, offers entire e-book catalog for 50% off, today only

O'reilly make some of the best computer books in the world. They also sell them as DRM-free e-books in a bunch of formats, including PDFs and Mobi for Kindle.

They usually offer one "Deal of the Day", which is a 50% discount code for a book chosen for that one day. But just for for today, they've created a discount code -- DDJPN -- that gives you a 50% discount on their entire catalog, and they give a part of the proceeds to aid Japan relief efforts.

So far they've raised over $60,000, and the day is still young. So if you've been recently hankering after some nerdy book (or three), now would be a great time to grab one.

O'Reilly helps Japan, offers entire e-book catalog for 50% off, today only originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/22/oreilly-helps-japan-offers-entire-e-book-catalog-for-50-off/

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These Klipsch Earphones Are Your Cheap-But-Decent Deal of the Day

If you want decent audio on the go and don't want a pair of clunky over-ear headphones, a great choice is the Klipsch S4i. They're a go-to recommendation for sub-$100 earphones on forums like HeadFi and Reddit, and they made Gizmodo's value list back in December. They're already a relatively cheap earphone that produces solid sound. But every dollar counts when you're buying tech, and right now they're at Amazon's lowest historical price. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/5w4v7QHT8vQ/these-klipsch-earphones-are-your-cheap+but+decent-deal-of-the-day

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Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source'

Google, according to reports from "a dozen executives working at key companies in the Android ecosystem" is finally locking down the open source and easily-fragmented Android operating system.

Continue reading Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source'

Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source' originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-demands-veto-on-android-changes-stretches-definition-of/

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Hello Expense is a simple, reliable expense tracker for Android

A good mobile application is a fine balance between simplicity and functionality. You're using it on the go, so you don't have a lot of time to sit there and fumble with the phone to figure it all out. But you also need it to be powerful enough to let you do whatever it is you're trying to get done.

Hello Expense is one mobile app that gets it right. It's an expense tracker that lets you use your Android-powered phone to quickly log the money you spend and then analyze it and see where it all went.

I recently had the chance to use it in a real-life situation - a road trip that took a few days and involved quite a few expenses. Logging each expense took seconds, and at the end of each day I could get a great overview of how much money I spent on each category so far.

Categories and tags are user-configurable; the app also sports its own number pad to make number entry easy, regardless of what keyboard you're using.

Hello Expense is a simple, reliable expense tracker for Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/29/hello-expense-is-a-simple-reliable-expense-tracker-for-android/

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Gadgets Week In Review: Vision

Source: http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/29/gadgets-week-in-review-vision/

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Banshee music player now works in Windows, supports Amazon MP3 downloads

A few moments ago, version 2 of the Banshee music player for Linux was released, bringing with it a whole slew of new features, and the addition of an official -- but alpha-quality -- Windows build. The Mac OS X build of version 2 is due later today.

The most notable new feature is support for the Amazon MP3 store -- you can buy and download music from within Banshee -- but unfortunately it's only available in the Linux build at the moment (OS X and Windows support are planned, however). There have also been some significant improvements to artist, album, and queue interactions -- and yes, you can finally right click a track, album or artist and select 'play after' to insert it into the queue.

Beyond actual playback, the user interface has been tidied up -- it now looks a whole lot smarter -- and the Ubuntu One Music Store and SoundMenu extensions have been made official. For a complete list of changes, additions and bug fixes, check the change log.

When Windows support initially appeared in February, we found it rough around the edges and fraught with stability issues. With version 2, Banshee for Windows is still a bit unstable, but it's shaping up to be a good alternative to Winamp, iTunes, or whatever other music library manager you use. It's almost as attractive as its GNOMEish brother, too!

Download Banshee 2 for Linux and Windows (Mac OS X coming soon)

Banshee music player now works in Windows, supports Amazon MP3 downloads originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/06/banshee-music-player-now-works-in-windows-supports-amazon-mp3-d/

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Install the Windows Phone 7 NoDo update regardless of your carrier

Some of you who own Windows Phone 7 devices are still waiting for your pre-NoDo preparation update -- never mind NoDo itself. A few workarounds have been posted, but unfortunately they didn't work unless your carrier had completed testing and was ready to schedule the update.

Now, however, the Chevron WP7 team's Chris Walshie has delivered a handy little utility that will allow you to update any Windows Phone 7 device -- regardless of your carrier.

Download and install the Windows Phone Support Tool (x86 or x64) and the ChevronWP7 Updater (x86 or x64)
Launch ChevronWP7 Updater and select your language. If your language isn't listed, stop and do not update.
If were running WP7 build 7004 (you can verify in Zune) then run the updater twice.

Once the process completes, you should be able to copy and paste to your heart's content. Let's just hope all this update foolishness gets sorted out before we're supposed to receive Mango.

Install the Windows Phone 7 NoDo update regardless of your carrier originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/install-the-windows-phone-7-nodo-update-regardless-of-your-carri/

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Get your mobile java on with Nomad, The Go Everywhere Espresso Machine

Out camping and need that espresso fix, but can’t find a coffee shop? Nomad, The Go Everywhere Espresso Machine, a Kickstarter project from UniTerra, can solve that problem. Nomad is a portable hand-pumped espresso machine that is small and sturdy enough to carry almost anywhere. To use the Nomad, you add hot water to the water reservoir, ground coffee to the coffee basket, and pump the handle until your cup is filled. The funding period ends April 10, 2013. Contribution packages start at $20.00 and run up to $270.00, with a $165 being the first pledge amount getting you a Nomad. If funded, the Nomad’s estimated delivery is May 2013.

Filed in categories: Crowdfunded, News, Outdoor Gear, Travel Gear

Tagged: Coffee Brewer, espresso

Get your mobile java on with Nomad, The Go Everywhere Espresso Machine originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 2, 2013 at 2:00 pm.

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/03/02/get-your-mobile-java-on-with-nomad-the-go-everywhere-espresso-machine/

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

This Timer Focused Watch Will Make You Anxious About Every Deadline

Setting a timer on your watch or phone is usually a passive way to remember there's something you need to do. But what if that timer's counting down to a deadline when something needs to be done? In those instances you need a little motivation to stay on track, like the Time Timer watch's imposing countdown dial. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/GRNuKzDI840/this-timer-focused-watch-will-make-you-anxious-about-every-deadline

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Keen On… Rhapsody: How Streaming Is Radically Reinventing The Music Industry

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/WLTAVa3wEAU/

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Galaxy S IV Teaser Video Sets New Level of Hyperbole

Samsung's Galaxy S 4 teaser video is a hyperbolic mess.

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/03/galaxy-s-4-teaser-video/

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BlackBerry Messenger 6.0 screenshots leak

A leaked early version of RIM's upcoming BlackBerry Messenger 6 has been making the rounds since late February, but images of the new app are just now beginning to appear. Over at CrackBerry, the crew has shared a handful of images of BBM 6 in action. Unfortunately, you won't get a glimpse at a chat or file transfer -- only the profile screens (after the break) and what you see above. All that's really revealed so far is the option to set custom contact and chat colors and BlackBerry OS 6.1-style icons.

CrackBerry also warns against installing the leaked BBM 6 app. There's no guarantee this app hasn't been tampered with, and BlackBerry devices are becoming a more common target for cybercriminals.

Continue reading BlackBerry Messenger 6.0 screenshots leak

BlackBerry Messenger 6.0 screenshots leak originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/06/blackberry-messenger-6-0-screenshots-leak/

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Google Maps updated with Contacts search, faster local search

Google Maps has recieved it’s first updated since its launch in December. Version 1.1 includes Google Contacts search, improved local search, and the choice between miles and kilometers for distance units. The English language version of the app is now available the following countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.

Google Contacts search allows you to search for a friend’s name and have their address appear in your search if you have thier address saved. You will be taken to that address on the map when you tap their name. Search has been improved with the addition of quick search icons. Tapping the search bar will cause the app to display icons for restaurants, coffee, bars, and gas stations. Tap the right-most icon to be given more quick searches. Tapping your chosen icon will automatically take you to a nearby establishment.

The update is live on the App Store. Grab it and let us know what you think.

Source: Google Maps blog

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/TNtW4MRREWo/story01.htm

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Dodge is a space-shooter in which you have no weapons

Space-shooters are usually a fairly fiery affair, with many types of guns, weapon upgrades, power-ups and more. Dodge does away with all of that, while keeping the very essence of a space shooter: Dark background, fast action, and stuff blowing up all over the place.

Your vector-looking spacecraft is the fastest thing on the screen, most of the time. And as the header implies, you have absolutely no weapons; you can't get any, either. All you have is agility and maneuverability.

Your opponents shoot heat-seeking missiles at you; the missiles lock on and start tracking you. The trick is to dodge the missiles while putting them in the path of one of your enemies, thus letting them have a taste of their own medicine.

There are three types of enemies, at least in the first few levels: "simple" spaceships which fire slow projectiles, "tanks" which seem to be more serious and take more hits to destroy, and "circles." The circles simply explode, spewing twenty or thirty very fast projectiles. This sounds dangerous, but is actually great once you learn to use them; they are very destructive for tanks, and can even blow up other circles.

The soundtrack is very techno, but it meshes very well with this type of game. Intense fun!

Dodge is a space-shooter in which you have no weapons originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/01/dodge-is-a-space-shooter-in-which-you-have-no-weapons/

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Google Maps For iPhone Updated With Google Contacts Search And Local Places Grouped By Category

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/w4MpboxZLH4/

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MimoMicro – Your fave characters have been turned into microSD readers

When I first discovered Mimo’s new MimoMicros, I thought they were just mini versions of their ever popular character based USB flash drives. I was wrong, sorta. MimoMicros are actually microSD USB card readers with a built-in keychain, a flip out USB port, and an LED status light. They are currently available in 8 different styles and are priced at $12.99 each.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: MicroSD

MimoMicro – Your fave characters have been turned into microSD readers originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 3, 2013 at 5:01 pm.

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/03/03/mimomicro-your-fave-characters-have-been-turned-into-microsd-readers/

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Add a Windows 8 user tile to your Windows 7 taskbar

Now that Windows 8 images have begun leaking out, it's only a matter of time until developers start releasing mods for Windows 7 which mimic upcoming features. Over at Into Windows, they've spotted one such mod already.

In the earliest Windows 8 images, we saw Windows Live integration on the taskbar. In the far right corner, there's a user tile displayed. If you'd like to do the same on Windows 7, download Taskbar User Tile from DeviantArt user AngelWZR.

Once installed, your current picture will appear on the taskbar. Click it, and a menu appears which allows you to log off, switch users, and access the control panel. Right now, the mod only works if your taskbar is displayed on the bottom of your Windows desktop.

Add a Windows 8 user tile to your Windows 7 taskbar originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/06/add-a-windows-8-user-tile-to-your-windows-7-taskbar/

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Words With Friends for Android updated, promises "smoother game experience"

As several of you noted in the comments to our post asking for cross-platform iOS/Android games, Words With Friends for Android does not provide the smoothest gaming experience... and that's being rather charitable.

You might be happy to hear that a couple of days ago Zynga released an update which promises to solve many of the Android-specific issues, such as notifications not popping up.

Sadly, installing the update is not a smooth experience; you have to manually uninstall the previous version, and then go to the Android Market and install it. What's nice is that it doesn't lose your saved games - this screenshot shows a game I've started before the update and continued after updating.

How's the new update working out for you? Let us know in the comments!

Words With Friends for Android updated, promises "smoother game experience" originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/04/words-with-friends-for-android-updated-promises-smoother-game/

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In-app payment support arrives on Android

Right on cue, Google has launched in-app payment support for Android applications. Developer testing began last week, and now many popular apps -- like the ones pictured above -- can begin charging users for add-on functionality, content, or whatever the heck else they feel is worthy of additional bits of your pocket change. If you were wondering, Google will take the same 30% cut that Apple takes from in-app purchases.

At last we can buy individual issues in Comics with minimal fuss!

In-app payment support arrives on Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/30/in-app-payment-support-arrives-on-android/

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Monday, March 4, 2013

No, the iWatch Isn't Definitely Coming This Year

There are headlines this morning, in abundance, that an Apple iWatch will be coming in 2013. They are declarative. They are definitive. They are wrong. The iWatch might be coming this year, or might come in 2015, or it might not come at all. And nothing in this Bloomberg report changes that. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/yGLlQJAknag/no-the-iwatch-isnt-a-lock-for-this-year

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Your Fitness Tracker Isn’t Keeping You Fit

Do you have a Fitbit? Nike+ FuelBand? Maybe a Jawbone Up? Basis? Larklife? Withings tracker? The personal sensor revolution is upon us — quite literally. There’s been an explosion of devices meant to make quantified-selfing easier than ever. All of ...

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/03/ts_column/

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Sunday, March 3, 2013

Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source'

Google, according to reports from "a dozen executives working at key companies in the Android ecosystem" is finally locking down the open source and easily-fragmented Android operating system.

Continue reading Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source'

Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source' originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-demands-veto-on-android-changes-stretches-definition-of/

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Saturday, March 2, 2013

Facebook Promises a ‘New Look for News Feed’

Facebook invited the press to an event at its Menlo Park campus on March 7, where the company plans to show off a new look for its News Feed product.

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/03/facebook-news-feed-event/

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Because they're worth it: game characters get AMD to do their hair

Blocky, pixelated locks can really ruin a day of tomb-robbing, right? To put the feather back in those bangs, AMD's just announced TressFX, software that'll be seen in the 2013 release of Tomb Raider due on March 5th. The rendering tech offloads computation-heavy hair simulation to the graphics processor using Microsoft's DirectCompute language, and was developed by AMD in partnership with Raider developer Crystal Dynamics -- though it'll work with any graphics card that supports DirectX 11, including those from arch-foe NVIDIA. The result is a coiffure that can move realistically in response to motion and external forces, detect collisions between strands, accurately reflect light and even allow for matting from moisture or rain. Lara may have preferred that AMD omit the latter, but anything's better than the helmet-head look, no?