Thursday, December 20, 2012

Vocre for Android Translates Your Speech into Another Language in Almost Real Time

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5970067/vocre-for-android-translates-your-speech-into-another-language-in-almost-real-time

Android: We discussed Vocre when it launched for the iPhone last year. Now, the app has also landed on Android with more features, like a tabletop mode that translates and displays what you're saying and what the person you're speaking to is saying so you both can read, and a slimmer price tag.

Vocre has always been a great translation tool, but the launch of the Android app brings 39 different languages with it, and the ability to translate into them much faster than in previous versions of the iPhone app. The new "desktop" conversation mode is the real draw here though: put the phone on the table, select your language and the language of the person you're speaking with, start talking. The app will translate what each of you you say into the other's native language and display it on the phone's screen so you both can read it. Check out the video above to see what we mean, but it's really cool in action.

Vocre now has a set $2.99 price at Google Play, and no longer forces you to pay per-translation like the old version of the app did. Some astute commenters and reviewers note that some of the languages aren't perfect—for example languages with highly gendered syntax may only reflect one gender (for example, Arabic is currently male-only) but the developers are constantly improving Vocre, and it's a great investment if you're planning a trip.

Vocre ($3) | Google Play via Android Police

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Continental gets automated vehicle approved for Nevada roads

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/20/continental-highly-automated-vehicle-approved-nevada/

Continental gets its 'highly automated vehicle' approved for Nevada roads, joins Google in the Silver State

Google isn't the only outfit puttering around Nevada roads with its hands off the wheel -- German automotive supplier Continental has the state's approval to let the computer take the wheel, too. Earlier this week the Silver State signed off on the German company's safety, employee training, system function and accident reporting plans, granting Continental a testing license and adorning its vehicles with red license plates. It's the very same treatment Mountain View received back in May -- but Continental's cars aren't exactly direct competitors to Google's fare.

The company's "highly automated vehicles" are more of an advanced cruise control system than a self driving car -- capable of navigating stop and go traffic on a freeway, for example, but still requiring the driver to take control as their exit draws near. Continental sees the partially autonomous vehicle as a stepping stone to fully automated cars, and plans to offer the partial solution between 2016 and 2020, switching up to fully automated driving systems by 2025. The company hopes refine its testing to meet this goal in Nevada, putting its stereo camera and sensor equipped vehicle through freeway and rush-hour trials in real traffic. The company's ultimate goal, of course, is to eliminate accidents and fatalities on the road. Check out the firm's official PR after the break.

Continue reading Continental gets automated vehicle approved for Nevada roads

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Via: Verge, Wired

Source: Continental

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Imo's iPad app augmented with free voice calling, enhanced photo sharing

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/20/imo-im-ipad-update/

imoim for iPad updated, brings in voice calling and enhanced photo sharing

When Imo crammed free voice calling into its iPhone application, it neglected to port the functionality to its large-screened counterpart. Now, the iPad version of Imo.im is catching up -- adding VoIP support over 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi to other Imo users across iOS and Android. The latest version of the instant messaging aggregator boasts revamped photo tools too, featuring group photo sharing and real-time image uploads. These tweaks accompany a slew of design changes, including a color-coded status indicator bar and similar hue-based notifications for contact availability. Standard stuff, really, but that shouldn't stop iPad-toting chatterboxes from heading to the source link and giving the app a whirl.

Continue reading Imo's iPad app augmented with free voice calling, enhanced photo sharing

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Source: iTunes

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Flipboard lands on Android tablets, now supports Nexus 10

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/20/flipboard-lands-on-android-tablets-now-supports-nexus-10/

Flipboard lands on Android tablets, now supports Nexus 10

It's no secret that we're big fans of Flipboard here at Engadget, but there's one thing we've been longing for: a tablet-optimized Android version. Until now, running the app on the Nexus 10 (by sideloading the APK) or even the Nexus 7 (officially supported) meant living with a scaled-up phone experience. Today, Flipboard is getting updated in the Play Store to supports a variety of Android tablets such as Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1, the Galaxy Tab series and the Nexus 10. A setting lets you chose between phone and tablet modes, which is useful for mid-size devices like Amazon's Kindle Fire, the Nook and the Nexus 7. Flipboard worked closely with Samsung to optimize the app and take advantage of larger, higher resolution displays. This means more of your favorite tiles, larger story snippets and landscape support (at last). We spent a few hours using Flipboard's new app for Android and came away suitably impressed -- anyone familiar with the iPad version will feel right at home. PR after the break.

Continue reading Flipboard lands on Andr! oid tabl ets, now supports Nexus 10

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Source: Flipboard (Google Play)

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Forrester report finds US tablet ownership doubled this year

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/20/forrester-2012-report/

Forrester report finds US tablet ownership doubled this year

Forrester Research has come out with its annual report on technology consumption in the US, and tablets are certainly gaining popularity. Although slightly lower than Pew Research's figures, Forrester deduced from its nigh 60,000-strong survey that 19 percent of 'mericans over the age of 18 own at least one tablet -- double the number the research outfit noted last year. While tech penetration is lowest among adults aged 47 and up, 14 percent of this demographic now have slates, which again is twice the figure recorded in 2011. Another notable stat that's risen is daily internet use, with 84 percent of adults hopping online every day (up from 78 percent last year), and approximately half of those owning a smartphone of some variety. TVs are pretty well connected also, as 43 percent of the plugged-in population has accessed the net from their living rooms, with games consoles being by far the most popular intermediary. The whole report isn't available to the public, but why not use the time you would've spent reading it inspecting what's under the tree, and hoping you'll be responsible for upping those tablet stats in next year's report.

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Via: TAUW

Source: TechCrunch, Forrester Research (1), (2)

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