Bitcoin has risen from the dead… again

Bitcoin survived a hellish spring period when its value crashed to $320 from winter highs topping $1,000. With the price now hovering around $570, the cryptocurrency faces a series of important events in the coming weeks that could determine its future.

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Posted in 2014 at 10:45PM, June 25

(Product) RED Thanks Apple for Contributions Totaling $75 Million, Explains Recent Comments From Bono

Apple's (Product) RED contributions towards the fight against AIDS now total $75 million, according to a blog post on the (RED) website. The post, which thanks Apple for its generous contributions, notes that the company is (Product) RED's biggest partner.



(RED) also addresses commentary from U2 frontman Bono, who leads the charity. At the Cannes Lions festival earlier this week, Bono and Apple design chief Jony Ive gave an interview where Bono commented on Apple's reluctance to use heavy (RED) branding, calling it "modesty run amok."





According to the (RED) blog post, Bono was simply teasing Ive and Apple about its reluctance to "take credit for its charitable work," going on to say that his humor was taken out of context and confirming that both Bono and (RED) are "so grateful" to Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, Jony Ive, and the rest of Apple's employees

In a reminder that humor doesn't always travel out of context, some of Bono's teasing and faux outrage at Apple's modesty were reported as actual criticism of the company. Nothing could be further from the truth of course. Bono has been one of Apple's biggest supporters, pushing back publicly on those who have made negative assumptions about the company's charitable work, simply because they don't shout it from the rooftops. That modesty is their right, and in many ways admirable.

According to The Loop's Shaun King, Apple may be planning to increase support for (RED) in the coming months. Following Bono's interview, King posted the following: "Great to see Bono calling Apple out on their "understated" approach to this issue. But you'll see that change within six months," clarifying in the comments that Apple will boost exposure for (RED).



It is unclear how Apple will boost exposure, but in the past, the company has released several different (RED) branded products, including iPod nanos and shuffles, iPad Smart Covers, iPhone Bumpers, and more, with a portion of the purchase price going directly to the charity. It has also decorated its Apple retail locations with red logos for World AIDS day and last year, Ive teamed up with designer Marc Newson to create a range of one-of-a-kind products that were auctioned off by Sotheby's, with the proceeds going to (RED).



In total, with all of its partners, which includes Apple, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, and others, (Product) RED has raised more than $250 million to fight AIDS since it was founded in 2006.

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Posted in 2014 at 08:59PM, June 25

Apple Seeds OS X Mavericks 10.9.4 Build 13E25 to Developers [Mac Blog]

Apple today seeded build 13E25 of OS X 10.9.4 to developers, just under a week after seeding the third OS X 10.9.4 beta, build 13E19, and more than a month after the public release of OS X 10.9.3, which included enhanced support for 4K displays and syncing improvements.



The beta is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store and should be available through the Mac Dev Center shortly.



It remains unclear what improvements the 10.9.4 update will bring to Mavericks, but it is likely to include bug fixes and stability enhancements. Apple is asking developers to focus on Graphics Drivers, Bluetooth, Audio Drivers, Finder, App Store, and Safari.

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Posted in 2014 at 08:33PM, June 25

Our society’s view on commuting (and telecommuting) is still painfully warped

A Google employee peers down at an Android Wear smartwatch demo, and notices that — based on real-time traffic information — it would take him 55 minutes to get to work. “Commute’s not looking too bad!,” he exclaims, before swiping to the next card on the demo.

How severely damaged must our society’s state of mind be to make such a comment?

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Posted in 2014 at 08:14PM, June 25

IPAD AIR 2 LEAK: Thinner next-gen iPad Air model with Touch ID compared to current version in new video

Late summer and early fall this year are going to be huge for Apple. After months without any new products, the company is expected to launch a flurry of new devices beginning with two completely redesigned iPhone 6 models, one with a 4.7-inch display and one with an even bigger 5.5-inch screen. Also expected are a new 12-inch Retina MacBook Air, a new Apple TV, an iWatch, a refreshed iPad mini and a sixth-generation full-size iPad, currently referred to as the "iPad Air 2."

Now, a mockup believed to be an accurate representation of Apple's next-gen iPad Air has been shown on video and compared to the current iPad Air model.

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Posted in 2014 at 07:51PM, June 25

HTC: Both the One (M7) and One (M8) are getting Android L

Awesome news for everyone who owns one of HTC's last two flagship phones: You'll be getting the latest version of Android... at some point. HTC announced on Wednesday that it will bring Android L to both the HTC One (M7) and the HTC One (M8) "within 90 days of receiving final software from Google." It's not surprising that the One (M8) is getting Android L since it just came out earlier this year but it's good to see that HTC is committed to bringing Android L to anyone who bought its 2013 flagship smartphone as well.

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Posted in 2014 at 07:30PM, June 25

Google Announces 'Android Auto' CarPlay Competitor

At its Google I/O developer's conference in San Francisco, Google today announced Android Auto, its answer to Apple's CarPlay. Much like CarPlay, Android Auto is designed to bring the Android experience to a car's in-dash infotainment system.



As described by Google, Android Auto is contextually aware and puts the apps that users need front and center on the car's dashboard. Google stressed that Android Auto is "completely voice enabled," relying on Google Now much the way CarPlay relies on Siri for voice commands. Google also noted that it's able to offer a completely personalized experience that is mobile, working with any Android Auto compatible car as it is reliant on an Android phone.





Android Auto integrates deeply with Google Maps, providing drivers with access to all Google Maps features like local search, personalized suggestions, live traffic information, and turn-by-turn navigation.



On stage, Android Auto was demoed planning a trip to the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco. Android Auto was first asked how late the museum was open, providing a response, before it was ordered to navigate to the location, where it offered turn-by-turn directions. It was also demoed composing and sending messages entirely via voice.



Like CarPlay, Android Auto integrates with several different app partners to provide music and other audio, such as MLB at Bat, Pandora, Spotify, Songza, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and more.





Google also announced 40 new partners for its Open Automotive Alliance, which is a group of "technology and auto industry leaders" that are committed to bringing Android to cars in 2014. The goal of the alliance is to make "technology in the car safer, more seamless, and more intuitive for everyone."



According to Google, Android Auto will be available in 25 different car brands, with the first cars rolling off dealer lots before the end of the year. Google is also releasing an Android Auto SDK in the coming weeks so developers can create apps for the platform. Apple's CarPlay is also expected to be available in several different cars before the end of the year.

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Posted in 2014 at 06:12PM, June 25

Google Launches First Android Wear Devices, Featuring Always-On Displays and Card-Based Interface

At today's Google I/O event in San Francisco, Google demoed its Android Wear platform and announced availability of the first Android Wear devices. First announced in March, Android Wear is designed to bring the Android platform to a range of wearable devices from several of Google's manufacturing partners.





As described on stage, Google has designed Android Wear with many of the features and functions that rumors have suggested Apple's own iWatch might include. Android Wear supports screens of multiple sizes and styles, including both square and circular. With its always-on display and card-based UI, it displays information like notifications and location-based reminders.



Largely controlled by voice via Google Now integration, Android Wear also supports contextual apps that display information at a glance and it also integrates with several sensors, such as those that monitor steps taken and even heart rate on supported devices. It includes Google Maps support, offering turn-by-turn directions on the wrist and it can be used to control other devices, such as speakers.



Android Wear devices are reliant on a connected smartphone, much like the iWatch is expected to be reliant on the iPhone. Apps that are downloaded from the Google Play Store are able to include a wearable portion, which is automatically installed on a compatible Android Wear device when downloaded on a smartphone, extending available app functionality to the wrist.



On stage, demonstrations of Android Wear gave a clear idea of what we might expect from other wearables in the future, including the iWatch. A Lyft car was ordered via a simple voice command, with the watch automatically detecting a location. Ordering the car, payment, and update notifications on the driver's location were all displayed directly on wrist, without the need to access a smartphone.




Samsung Gear Live


Google announced the release of the full Android Wear SDK, along with the launch of the first devices supporting Android Wear. The LG G Watch is available for order today, as is the Samsung Gear Live, a new Samsung watch that supports Android. The platform's first circular watch taking advantage of the round UI, the Moto 360, will be available later this summer, and additional devices are in development by various partners.



By focusing on a platform rather than a device of its own, Google has managed to get Android onto wrists several months ahead of Apple. According to the most recent rumors, Apple's much-rumored smart watch won't launch until later this year, possibly at an October event. The iWatch expected to have a strong focus on health and fitness, with more than ten sensors to collect various types of data.

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Posted in 2014 at 06:02PM, June 25