From Apple and Google enabling encryption by default on mobile devices to NASA’s new space transportation program and a review of Jabra’s Stealth Bluetooth headset, we’ve covered a lot over the past week here at Techaeris. Here’s a quick recap of some of the stories we covered in our Weekly Refresh.
The launch of the Xbox One gaming console, the first foreign video gaming devices to be sold in China, has been delayed. The Chinese market is a huge electronics market and Microsoft is hoping that the Xbox One will be able to grab a foothold for the company there. The initial release date for the console was to be September 23rd but it has been pushed back with no definitive date given and is set to launch in China on September 29th.
Third party keyboards have been on Android for years and have finally come to Apple’s iPhone in its newest iOS 8 update. The amount of third party keyboards on Android is enormous while iOS is offering just a handful at the moment. SwiftKey and Swype are two of the notables currently on both Android and iOS (with a shout out to Flexsy).
Oculus VR is pushing virtual reality technology as far as it possibly can and has announced the third iteration of their Oculus Rift named Crescent Bay. Oculus VR, at the time of this writing, is holding a Live Keynote (Oculus Connect) to discuss the future of Oculus VR and the Oculus Rift. Crescent Bay’s optics are much improved over the last generation Rift and features 360 degree motion tracking. Integrated audio is also a new feature but it is optional but you now have the option to use your own headphones.
Virtual reality is another one of those emerging technologies that is still in its baby stages. The Oculus Rift has been getting good press and Samsung has even jumped into the game with Samsung Gear VR. Now AirVR wants to strap an iPad Mini (or iPhone 6 Plus) to your face and immerse you in its version of VR. This Kickstarter is seeking $20,000 on Kickstarter for the project and is nearly at $14,000 at the time of this writing with 26 days to go.
TwitPic lives again! Fans of the service are rejoicing today as an unnamed buyer swooped in to rescue the service from closing down. TwitPic has been under pressure from Twitter for alleged trademark issues (over the Twit part of their name). Founder Noah Everett claimed the reason he was shutting down the service was due to Twitter’s strong arm approach in the trademark matter.
Texting while driving is highly dangerous, I think anyone with their head screwed on straight will agree with that statement. In most places here in the United States it is illegal to text while driving or even talk on your cell phone (hands-free devices are acceptable in most areas).
Android Wear, Apple Watch and a handful of other independent alternative smartwatch makers are pushing and shoving to get their piece of the pie. Now we welcome another player into the scene, Com1. This $150 Android Wear device is reminiscent of the LG watch at first glance and is claiming a battery life of 2 days, which is a selling point for some consumers.
Google and Dropbox have teamed up with the Open Technology Fund to back a new organization called Simply Secure which is aiming to make your security easier. With all the unease over privacy and security online and through our financial streams it’s easy to see why companies are taking it far more seriously.
The iPhone 6 Apple Pay system will be coming to several retailers and restaurant chains and Apple is working with major credit card companies to make this all happen. In the meantime, Apple is being heralded as the catalyst that will drive NFC payments into the mainstream and that could very well happen, given Apple’s track record of pushing new technology trends.
Wearables are still in their infancy, but that’s not stopping companies from announcing and releasing them! The next to take a crack at the hearts, minds, and eyeballs of consumers is Sony, who today announced their entry into the smart glasses market. Sony’s SmartEyeglass differentiates itself by using a transparent lens display that does not obstruct a user’s vision, opting instead to overlay instructions on the lenses themselves. Keep reading for more information direct from Sony.
The gadget tinkerers over at iFixit have gotten their mitts on the iPhone 6 Plus and already given us a video of its tear down. I was particularly interested in finding out what size battery this larger iPhone would be sporting and it turns out it’s a 2915mAh, 3.82V, 11.1 Wh battery which should give it some decent life.
The Google Android L operating system will be the first Android OS version to enable encryption by default. Android has had this feature for some time but it was always up to the user to activate and use it.
UPDATE: Although the account is unverified The Woz had this to say on Google+ Somebody got things very wrong. All my main phones are iPhones these … Read more…
The same day Apple starts shipping it’s new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is the same day Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 will be available … Read more…
Apple’s new privacy policy seems to address at least one of the complaints users have had with all companies who have our personal data. Apple … Read more…
Update: Swiftkey is having some issues getting their app on the App Store, so please be patient. We’re aware SwiftKey is taking a while to … Read more…
Today Punit Soni announced via Google+ that he is leaving Motorola Mobility behind with no word as to his future ventures. Soni helped usher in … Read more…
Congratulations to Burlington, Vermont for doing something that no other city in the United States has done: Provide every single one of their 42,000 residents … Read more…
NASA announced earlier today that they have picked two American companies to transport U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station. Boeing and SpaceX will be … Read more…
Apple is gearing up to release its new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on Friday and they’re optimistic that some buyers will be moving … Read more…
(Update) A T-Mobile Rep supplied us with this statement of correction: In store sales have been pushed back to Sept 24. Tomorrow, reps will only be … Read more…
Motiv Power Systems has designed the world’s first all-electric garbage truck. The Electric Refuse Vehicle, or ERV, was made possible using Motiv’s modular, plug-and-play electric … Read more…
On their official blog, Google announced this morning that Chromecasters can now access multiple new features including Twitch, iHeart Radio, WATCH Disney Channel, and … Read more…
Google’s search algorithm is a pretty highly classified piece of material right up there with the Coke recipe and the Colonel’s chicken. I’m fairly certain … Read more…
Facebook and Google are teaming up with other companies such as Walmart, Twitter, GitHub and Square to form TODO, “talk openly, develop openly.” TODO’s goal … Read more…
Tesla Motors is the only car manufacturer that sells its vehicles direct to consumers with no dealerships in the middle. Tesla cars are already priced … Read more…
Apple pulled out all the stops for its iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch announcement the other day. They also invited long time … Read more…
