Friday, January 16, 2015

Google search starts linking directly to event tickets

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/15/google-search-tickets-and-brands/

Searching for tickets on Google

Just can't wait to snag some tickets for a big concert, but don't want to wade through the band's site (or the ticket shop's page) to make sure you get a good seat? You won't have to after today. Google has forged deals with AXS, Ticketfly and Ticketmaster that link you directly to tickets when you search for a specific venue on the web or in Google Maps. If you search for a band, you'll also get tour schedules.

There's a little more if you're trying to track down a big-name brand, too. Search Engine Land points out that the Knowledge Graph in Google web searches now gives you links to the social networking accounts when you search for a given label. If you want to see Google's Instagram account or McDonald's Twitter feed, it's a single click away. This feature isn't that necessary if you're good with keywords, but it might help you discover a social account you weren't aware of before, and if social media is your job, you can make sure the right links pop in by following these instructions.

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Via: The Next Web, (2), Zineb Ait Bahajji (G+)

Source: Search Engine Land, TicketFly, Google Webmaster Central

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Access everything on your Chromebook through another PC

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/16/access-everything-on-your-chromebook-through-another-pc/

Which device can't you access your Chromebook from? Until now, the answer was any other kind of PC, but even that's not true anymore. Sure, your Windows laptop or MacBook might be capable of more than a cheap Chromebook, but now, as long you've got Chrome installed on it, you can access anything you're keeping on your Google-powered PC. You were already able to do the opposite with Chrome's Remote Desktop app, which is arguably a whole lot more useful, but this development could prove a good way of offering tech support to less tech savvy types. You'd probably still have to help your friend / family member out but getting them on the Chrome OS developer channel first -- a requirement for the currently experimental feature.

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Source: Chrome

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Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Swapping smartphone modules with Google's latest Project Ara prototype

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/14/google-project-ara-hands-on/

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Google's modular phone concept is one step closer to reality. With today's announcement of the latest updates to Project Ara and an upcoming pilot program in Puerto Rico, Google has made serious strides in bringing the unique swappable-module phone idea to market. Today, we had a chance to take a look at the latest version of the concept -- code-named Spiral 2 -- and it's certainly a much more polished version of the device than we've seen previously. Indeed, Paul Eremenko, Project Ara's lead, says that the look of the hardware here is "final," or at least very close to what we'll see come final release.

As we mentioned in the announcement earlier, Project Ara's latest prototype includes a slew of improvements and changes over Spiral 1, the previous iteration. For one, the electro-permanent magnets that once held the modules in place are now on the endoskeleton itself -- the core piece of metal that is at the heart of the Ara. This, Eremenko says, leaves more room for additional modules. Google also announced that it has added 3G modem functionality and an analog RF bus to the endo that'll let the company attach antennas from multiple modules to the same modem. There's a new pollution sensor, too.

One of the biggest changes is its aesthetics. Google once wanted folks to customize the Ara via 3D printing, but decided that was a bit too risky. Instead, you can now alter the look of the Ara by printing your own high-resolution, full-color images on polycarbonate, injection-molded shells via a technique called dye sublimation.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The result is the unique modular phone you see in the image above. Out of the 11 different prototype modules that Google has developed, the one that we got to see here has eight pieces on the back and two on the front. There's a receiver module that combines the earpiece audio plus proximity sensor; a 720p display module that also includes the integrated volume and power buttons; a camera module on the back; a WiFi and Bluetooth module; a USB charger; a 3G cellular modem; an application processor module from Marvell; a speaker module; and, of course, the battery.

If you're not satisfied with the modules here, well, the beauty of Ara is that you're free to swap them out for other ones in the future. Want to swap out that 720p display for something better? You could. Want a front-facing camera as good as the one on the back? Sure, why not. The idea of Ara is that you could very well swap out the modules of the phone as time goes on, which makes it both a future-proof device and one that could be easier on your wallet.

All of the different pieces swapped in and out relatively easy -- I managed to move several different modules with a simple slide and push. But they didn't feel particularly flimsy either; I didn't think they were liable to fall out or anything like that. Each piece was also extremely lightweight, and I could see myself carrying extra battery modules around without it taking up too much space in my bag. Eremenko tells us that Google worked to make each module more robust too, to handle everyday juggling and jostling. That said, the overall device did strike me as a little thick -- certainly quite a bit thicker than most flagship smartphones.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Additionally, Eremenko tells us that, right now, you'll need to do that whole battery hot-swapping thing in less than 30 seconds, or else the phone will power down. He hopes to extend that time to one to two minutes by the time the Ara finally ships. Perhaps more worrying is that apparently maintaining the connectivity between modules alone takes up 20 percent of the phone's battery.

Google says it's working to iron those kinks out, and perhaps those worries will be long gone by the time Spiral 3 rolls around. Indeed, Google is already planning on a few improvements, like 4G LTE, high-end camera support and all-day battery life, for the third version of its modular phone. We're still not sure just how long it'll take for Ara to come to market, but it certainly seems like it'll be a while yet. Maybe we should move to Puerto Rico in the meantime.

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GE's "Point and Shoot" Microscope Snaps Spectacular Cellular Shots

Source: http://gizmodo.com/ges-point-and-shoot-microscope-snaps-spectacular-cell-1679279793

GE's "Point and Shoot" Microscope Snaps Spectacular Cellular Shots

The microscopic worlds contained within a droplet of water are just as fascinating—and just as inaccessible to humans—as the farthest reaches of space. But the universe of the very small is now a little closer thanks to a highly-automated, cell counting microscope-camera hybrid from GE.

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A Rub-On Tattoo for Diabetics Could Mean the End of Finger PrickingĂ‚ 

Source: http://gizmodo.com/a-rub-on-tattoo-for-diabetics-could-mean-the-end-of-fin-1679477242

A Rub-On Tattoo for Diabetics Could Mean the End of Finger Pricking 

Pricking your finger for a blood glucose test will never, ever be fun. Thankfully, scientists have been hard at work on a bloodless and needleless alternative: a rub-on temporary tattoo that, as weird as it sounds, gently sucks glucose through the surface of the skin.

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drag2share: Google moves one step closer to becoming a universal translator

source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/14/google-translate-app/?utm_source=Feed_Classic_Full&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget&?ncid=rss_full

Even with the assistance of modern technology, holding a conversation in two different languages can be difficult. Google Translate allows you to speak with someone and have each utterance translated as text and audio, but until now you had to manually toggle every time the other person talked. As expected, Google is speeding up the process with smarter language recognition and speaker switching, which comes as part of a new update. So when you boot up the app and press the microphone icon, it'll recognise which of the two languages is being spoken, offer a translation and then automatically alternate whenever the conversation flips over. No more tapping on the screen again and again.

In addition, Google has revamped its camera mode to quickly translate words and phrases directly on your screen. So if an important sign on the Paris Metro has you stumped, you should be able to just grab your smartphone, tap the camera icon and wait for a translation to appear augmented reality-style. The feature currently works for English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese and Spanish words, and Google says it'll be adding support for additional languages over time. Of course, this is hardly a new idea -- Word Lens had a similar proposition, and ever since Google acquired its developer Quest Visual we've been waiting patiently for its inevitable debut.

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Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Neiman Marcus' digital mirror compares clothes side by side

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/13/neiman-marcus-memory-mirror/

If you've ever wanted to see yourself in a few different outfits before deciding on your next wardrobe, Neiman Marcus now lets you view them side by side. The retailer's Memory Mirror takes video and stills of what you try on for comparison, in addition to 360-degree views so you can see all the angles and items in different colors. As you might expect, snapshots from the digital mirror can be shared, so you can ask your Facebook friends if red really is the best choice. There's also an option to share the session with a salesperson so they can recommend new items next time. Right now, the Memory Mirror is only installed at the Walnut Creek, California location, but other units should be in place by the end month. Hopefully it works with men's clothes, too.

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drag2share: Your Chromebook will let you load a new OS through a USB drive

source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/12/chrome-os-boot-to-usb/?utm_source=Feed_Classic_Full&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget&?ncid=rss_full

Toshiba Chromebook 2

If you've been aching to try a different operating system on your Chromebook without running it in a window or otherwise jumping through hoops, you're going to get some relief very shortly. Google's Chrome OS team is adding support for an easy debugging switch that lets you tinker with the system files, such as by installing new drive images. If you want, you'll have the freedom to boot up from a USB drive and load a new OS, such as Linux. This still won't be a solution for the faint-hearted (you're likely on your own if something goes wrong), but it'll simplify things if you're bored with Google's web-centric software.

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drag2share: Use your iPhone to access Google's Chrome Remote Desktop

source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/12/google-chrome-remote-desktop-ios/?utm_source=Feed_Classic_Full&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget&?ncid=rss_full

Google said it would allow both iOS and Android users to leverage its Chrome Remote Desktop feature on-the-go, but Apple faithful have yet to get the chance... until today. Once you've installed the desktop app from the Chrome Web Store, access to that machine with an iPhone or iPad is a few taps away. The Android version rolled out last April, and despite a lengthy wait, those who prefer iOS can now make use of the tool. Looking to take it for a spin? The app is available for download at iTunes.

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Monday, January 12, 2015

Razer's got a big 50% off sale going on, today only

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/12/razer-sale/

If you've been anxiously waiting for a price drop on one of Razer's gorgeous, very expensive laptops, today is the day for you: the hardware-maker is celebrating its Best of CES 2015 awards with a massive, one-day sale. The Razer Edge is getting a 30 percent price drop, while all other hardware is getting halved in price. There are, naturally, some limitations: you can only buy one item (so make it count) and you have to be a member of Razer's "Insider" program (which basically means you have to give them your email address and little else). Oh, and the savings end tomorrow (January 13th) at 5:59PM PT, so maybe hurry up if you're gonna do this.

Still on the fence about that laptop? Head over to our review of Razer's Edge laptop from early 2014 right here and find out if it's the one for you!

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Source: Facebook

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Ford GT: This Is It

Source: http://jalopnik.com/ford-gt-this-is-it-1678893649

Ford GT: This Is It

Ford did it. They actually went and did it. It's been rumored about and speculated on for months, but now we know it's real. This is it: the new Ford GT. Ford just dropped a bomb on the rest of the world, and it's got a 600 HP twin-turbo V6, if you can believe it.

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Article: Disney's Beachbot is an artistic robot turtle that can draw in the sand

The robotic turtle above can't wield katanas, eat pizza or shout cowabunga, but it can still do something awesome: draw big sand sketches on the beach. It's named "Beachbot" and was developed by a team from ETH Zurich and the Zurich division of Disney Research, a network of labs responsible for s...

http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/12/disney-research-beachbot-art/?ncid=rss_truncated

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Sunday, January 11, 2015

DJI's Inspire 1 hand-held gimbal brings its flying camera down to earth

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/10/djis-inspire-1-hand-held-gimbal/

DJI is perhaps best known for its drones. The company also makes some pretty sweet photography gear. Often, these two skill sets meet in perfect harmony -- like the 4K camera-toting Inspire 1 video drone. DJI thought it was a shame to keep that new camera limited to aerial photography though, so it's setting it free with a hand-held gimbal (motorized camera stabilizer). In fact, the gimbal part is the same as the one that's on the drone, but attached to a handgrip mount. The result is a small, yet extremely stable 4K video camera. Similar devices exist for GoPros, but DJI's design is not just more visually appealing, but also more practical and comfortable to use. We were lucky enough to get to try it out for ourselves in the desert.

Let's get back to how it looks for a moment. It's pretty cool. Naturally, it matches the design language of the Inspire 1 drone. As a standalone device, it's a smart-looking piece of kit, but there's definitely a whiff of "Stormtrooper" about it. The device we saw was only a prototype, but it's clear it'll be ergonomic and comfortable to use. There are a few controls on the handle within reach of your thumb, and it houses a mic too, as the camera doesn't have one (there's not much to record up in the air).

What makes the gimbal really smart though, is the addition of a clip for your phone. DJI has created a companion app that allows you to use your smartphone as a viewfinder. This makes the mini rig a surprisingly comprehensive, yet portable stabilized 4K video setup. What better way to test it than shooting side by side with a camera on a regular, non-stabilized grip? We did exactly that, stomping around the Nevada desert. The results speak for themselves. The footage is incredibly, dreamily smooth, but a few bugs in the app meant we could only grab a few short moments. Watch below to see for yourself.

The gimbal may just be a prototype, and we still have no idea of price, but we're sure this information will be available soon enough. What we do know is that DJI is thinking about ways to add real value to its existing kit. The addition of this device makes the Inspire drone package 100 percent more useful. Now you can theoretically use the same camera to complete a whole video project, and anything that improves our overall workflow is a welcome addition.

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