Category: Tech News

Opportunity For Devs Passionate About Social Gaming. #Devs #Social #Gaming

In January 2014 we covered a new social app developed by Damien Kieran and Gerald Gallagher called Picguesso.

Start Screen

 

Just to give a brief recap. The guys at Picguesso came up with an innovative concept that transforms picture messages into a novel and fun picture puzzle game. We are currently in the era of the picture message, but the team at Picguesso feel “the death of our distinctively human skill of interactive communication is creeping upon us. Our images are currently being posted into the vacuum of cyberspace to everybody but at the same time nobody”. Damien explains “It’s quite innovative with nothing currently like it available on the app stores and can generate hours of fun. It encourages players to create their own personalised picture puzzles and with its social features it promotes group based gaming and players to be more imaginative and creative with their devices camera/gallery”.

 

There are many benefits of gaming with Picguesso which include:

 

  • Group based gaming
  • It encourages human interaction
  • Increases brain function
  • Family bonding
  • Develops general knowledge and spelling abilities
  • Educates jnr. without promoting education to jnr.
  • And it’s just a fun way to kill some time

 

Since our article has been published, the guys have worked with some of the country’s top minds with regard to further development of the concept and a Picguesso software ecosystem which spans across mobile, TV and education. Considerable progress has been made into investigating the market potential of the ecosystem. The companies and initiatives involved were:

  • Vital for Ideas – An EU funded regional development program which specialises in fast tracking innovative ideas with huge market potential to experienced implementers
  • Irelands Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) – A government led initiative that recognises outstanding ideas and commercial ventures
  • SOSventures – SOSventures is a venture capital and investment management firm that provides seed, venture and growth stage funding to startup companies in the technology sector.

 

The guys have gained some great connections along the way that have verified the huge market potential behind this and can provide assistance on getting this off the ground but unfortunately the guys themselves cannot commit to the further development of the project due to a change of circumstances and feel it would be a massive shame to let such an innovative messaging system simply cease due to their availability.

If you think you have the right skills, passion and commitment to take the reins of the Picguesso eco-system, the work could be very rewarding.

For further information you can contact the lads on either damien@picguesso.com or gerald@picguesso.com

New app from Listerine helps the blind feel smiles. #Apps #Blind #Smile

This is brilliant,an app that helps the blind detect smiles which works on facial recognition technology,The app has been developed working closely with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to ensure it’s accessible to blind and partially sighted people.

The App is available on Android and iOS,check out this video first below,this is just so good to see and how happy it makes people..It was launched to coincide with the brands new  Advanced White Mouthwash and power of smile campaign All the user has to do is open the camera and point it at someone and the device will vibrate…you can even share this on social media.

Description


On the camera Page:
・The top right camera icon enables you to turn the camera around to face either inwards or outwards
・Bottom right icon takes you to settings page
・Bottom left icon takes you to further information on the app

In Settings:
・Large Icons button – Doubles size of icons for accessibility
・Face Markers button – Enables white face markers on camera screen
・Sound button – Turns on sound to highlight smile detection
・The app counts the number of smiles detected and icons at the bottom of the setting page enable you to share on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter the number of smiles you’ve detected

[ Download on Android ]  [ Download on iOS ]

 

 

 

#LG shows off #SmartThinQ Sensor to monitor Home Appliances by @Tiwaash #SmartDevices

Talking about smartphones, smart watches LG has introduced something smart too on a different lines though, a SmartThinQ Sensor. LG has developed this sensor to improve the interaction between human fans machines through their smartphones. Adding a new member to the smartThinQ family of existing home appliances this product is aimed to give life to existing appliances.

The SmartThinQ Sensor is a circular device that can be attached to existing home appliances such as washing machines or refrigerators, to sense feedback such as vibration and temperature and communicate those readings to the SmartThinQ app on users’ smartphones.

SmartThinQ Sensor will monitor your day to day home appliances and let you control them via an app. In addition, LG has also shown off the LG Smart Lightwave Oven and Smart Air Conditioner that are the smart appliances with the AllJoyn smart home framework.

The Smart Lightwave Oven can even perform self-diagnosis and help find solutions and repair information online through an LG service center. While the Smart Air Conditioner will inform owners when to replace the air filter and it can also be controlled remotely from a smartphone.

Start tuned for more tech buzz.

JuiceBox – The Smartphone Charging Essential. #JuiceBox #Kickstarter #Charging

Battery anxiety is still here and will be for many for some time to come,with many solutions available today some are great and offer more than enough power,some are an overkill and some are just meh… Welcome to Juicebox,its small,portable and also very cheap to buy and very convenient.

The guys over at Juicebox have asked us to show you their product which I think you will like…There is two versions of the JuiceBox, supporting iPhone and Samsung,micro USB capable devices..

Also JuiceBox have announced that they have just released the Micro USB version for Samsung! Micro USB JuiceBox sets will also contain a 3 foot long double shielded charging cable as well as a wall adapter. Micro USB chargers will hold the same price as  lightning chargers, and also maintain the same shipping schedule.

https://d2pq0u4uni88oo.cloudfront.net/projects/2038522/video-580094-h264_high.mp4?_=1

 

Charges for 20 minutes allows you to hold an hour of battery life for both iPhone and Samsung.

•No compromises on quality of the JuiceBox: top ABS plastic, top lithium ion battery, and a double shielded charging cable for maximum durability.

•JuiceBox starts shipping in November with top tier rewards shipping late October.

With just a 20 minute charge, give your smartphone an extra hour of life. Smallest charger with the biggest punch on the market guaranteed. The full retail price for the JuiceBox will be $13, so you’re signing up for a deal of under half price by supporting us on Kickstarter. We will not be retailing the JuiceBox until all of our Kickstarter rewards have been shipped.

We’ been making and designing batteries for almost 5 years now, with big success. By designing a portable, high quality, compact charger, our dream is that one day everyone will have the JuiceBox ready to enhance their phones. Our company goal is to make the JuiceBox a key tool used not only in your personal life, but wherever you need it. For just $9 we want to drastically improve and increase the amount you are able to achieve in any given day.

While first developing the ion battery in the JuiceBox, we discovered an important yet complicated problem: size. As we increased the amount of testing, our team was able to drastically shrink battery size while maximizing quality. Being only from the highest grade materials available, the JuiceBox has found its maximum potential.

•Slim, easy to use design

•Up to an hour of battery life

•20 minute charge for a ready to go experience

•Water resistant and durable

•One snap, and it’s ready to go

•No bulk, to stay out of your daily life

•A lifesaving tool

•A cheap and affordable solution to increasing smartphone proficiency

•Ships anywhere in the world, for free

•Two versions of the JuiceBox supporting iPhone as well as micro USB devices

•A durable, waterproof case for all JuiceBoxes

 

 

See more and support them over on Kickstarter 

 

Twitter ads who to follow in timline on Android and iOS #Twitter #Socialmedia

Twitter has just announced another new feature today which is that’s its going to add suggested followers in your time,this currently was available when you do decide to follow people you would be presented with a list of suggestions and move on from there..This will either annoy people of chuff them off,so far it seems the latter…However you can adjust your settings by going HERE of late you probably have noticed many promoted tweets,this also has annoyed some and some find it useful..This is also an option available on Instagram.

 

 

https://twitter.com/twitter/status/639913479759990788

How does Twitter find accounts to suggest?

Twitter’s suggestions for “who to follow” or “people you may know” are based on an algorithm that makes personalized suggestions for you. You may see suggestions based on criterion such as:

  • If you’ve uploaded your contacts to Twitter, we’ll suggest you connect with those who already have Twitter accounts.
  • If someone has uploaded their contacts to Twitter, and your email address or phone number is included in their contacts, we may suggest you follow them.
  • E mail contacts if you have uploaded them.
  • Twitter may also make suggestions based on your location, e.g. the city or country you are in.

See more on Twitter

 

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge plus goes on sale in Ireland #Samsung.

The Samsung Galaxy S 6 edge plus is now on sale in Ireland,this is the big brother on the standard Galaxy S6 edge which has been on sale for some weeks now,this is one of the nicest looking devices on the market today boasting a dual curved screen and its also lightweight and a premium feel,the S6 edge plus can be now found on Meteor and Three,check out the prices below..Bear in mind that this like its little brother does not have an sd card option nor a removable battery this has upset some fans and may be a deal breaker for some but nonetheless its a nice device to have….

 

Features -Android 5.1.1 touchwiz – Dual Edge Screen – Quad HD super Amoled Screen 5.7 inches – 518 ppi – 4GB RAM- 16MP rear camera with an F1.9 aperture –  5MP / F1.9 / VDIS front facing camera,120˚ Wide Selfie Angle ,3000mAh battery – fast charge – octa-core processor with 4x Cortex-A53 ,1.5GHz and 4x Cortex-A57 ,2.1GHz, Mali-T760MP8 graphics.Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 4.2 with ANT+, NFC

Meteor Mobile  Prices from €349 on Billpay and €789 on prepay..

Three Ireland  prices from €149 on bilpay and €759 on prepay.. 

 

Samsung teases Gigantic tablet weighing in at 18.4 inches. #Samsung #Tablet #Monster

Apple is said to announce an iPad pro next week and Samsung have just dropped a clanger here just in time to of course reply to Apple with a monster tablet,they today teased of some images of the upcoming announcement in October. Dubbed the Galaxy View or theSM-T670  for now its set to sport a 4-inch TFT LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, an octa-core 64-bit 1.6GHz Exynos 7580 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, a microSD card slot, and a 5,700 mAh battery. Its said to  feature an 8-megapixel primary camera and a 2.1-megapixel secondary camera.The tablet is also said to support a kickstand which for this size would make some sense,not much has more has been given away….

 

This tablet will not be for everybody but its setting new boundaries again as Samsung do,they where the first to introduce the phablet we all once laughed at if you can remember back to the Galaxy Note one and look how successful that came and what spawned a new breed of mobile devices,can we see the same happen with tablets now ?? Time will tell…

 

Via

 

Google maps wants to make food hunting easy. #Google #Maps #Food #Travel

Google today have announced a new update to the “explore” option to make life easier for food goers,however this update will be just for the UK and the US first,this might be a nice idea if you are stuck for choice or want to let Google decide for you,there is already similar options available on the likes of Augmented reality app City Lens  from HERE maps which is also a very handy app on Windows Phone ..try it out… For now this update only applies to Android only and no word on iOS…

Google say

Starting today in Google Maps for Android in the US and UK, you’ll be able to uncover the best your city has to offer with our updated explore feature. And in NYC, San Francisco and London, you’ll enjoy curated recommendations from Google Maps. Now you can discover what is unique (and delicious!) about the neighborhood you’re in — whether it’s pre-theater dining in the Theater District in NYC, Dolores Park picnic fare in the Mission in San Francisco or centuries-old pubs in The City in London.

Once you pick the category that suits your craving, you can see in-depth details about each location. Swipe through photos, get details (family-friendly? quick bite?), and check out ratings and reviews from Google and other diners. And for select spots, you also discover why it may be particularly relevant to you: for example, Google Maps may recommend a place that’s popular with other diners who visited a place you’ve been to in the past.

So there you have if,off with ya now and find some food if you are hungry,tell us how it is…

Source

 

The Moto 360 2 is finally official. #IFA2015 #Moto360 #Wearables

At long last the new instalments have been unveiled,today the all new Moto 360 collection has come to life,if you have been a fan of the first instalment you will like these, which brings more customisation than before.This also comes in more sizes and has three models,yes three including a sports version,also worth noting is the increased battery life which has been somewhat of a hamper has now increased to two days according to Motorola..

Sized for you

Mens: 42mm case – Requires a 20mm band
Mens: 46mm case – Requires a 22mm band
Womens: 42mm case – Requires a 16mm band

Works with Android™ and iPhone‡
Battery life

Mens’ 42mm and Womens’: 300mAh battery – Up to 1.5 days of mixed use with Ambient off. Up to a full day of mixed use with Ambient on.

Wireless charging

with included charging dock

Ambient light sensor

The screen automatically adjusts to the surrounding brightness

Heart Rate Sensor

Optical heart rate monitor (PPG)

Water Resistant

IP67 dust and water resistant§

WiFi Connectivity

Stay in touch, even if your phone is beyond Bluetooth® range

 

Display​

Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
Backlit LCD
Mens 42mm and Womens: 1.37” (35mm), 263ppi (360 X 325)
Mens 46mm: 1.56” (40mm), 233ppi (360 X 330)

Watch case dimensions

Mens:
46mm diameter by 11.4mm high
42mm diameter by 11.4mm high

Womens:
42mm diameter by 11.4mm high

Processor

Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 with 1.2 GHz quad-core CPU (APQ 8026)
Adreno 305 with 450MHz GPU

Sensors

Accelerometer, Ambient Light Sensor, Gyroscope, Vibration/Haptics engine

Battery

Mens 42mm and Womens: 300mAh – Up to 1.5 days of mixed use with Ambient off. Up to a full day of mixed use with Ambient on.

Mens 46mm: 400mAh – Up to 2 days of mixed use with Ambient off. Up to a full day of mixed use with Ambient on.

Wireless charging with charging dock included

Memory

4GB internal storage + 512MB RAM

Connectivity

Bluetooth® 4.0 Low Energy
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g

Microphone

Dual digital mics

 

 

Sport

Moto 360 Sport can keep up, thanks to a durable yet comfortable design. Strong silicone construction with special UV coating wicks away moisture and resists fading or staining, while side ventilation channels help you stay cool.

Moto 360 Sport has built-in GPS that works seamlessly with Moto Body, our health and wellness experience. It gives you accurate location information, measures your speed, distance traveled, pace, and more. Moto Body can also help track your calories, and even give you motivational reminders when you need them.

Moto 360 will be available in various countries across North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. Starting today in the U.S., you can pre-order your own Moto 360 on Motorola.com, Google Play and BestBuy.com. It will be available starting in late September at Nordstrom, Best Buy and Verizon. Availability and ship times vary by style.

Via