The original PopcornTime app brought joy to millions of media consumers through free-flowing BitTorrent streaming. It was only a matter of time before it was shut down, but the PopcornTime concept predictably branched off into various directions and one of them has jumped into Apple territory. For now, it’s available only on jailbroken iPhones. After several respectable imitators bit the dust, time4popcorn.eu has managed to develop and improve over time. It can be accessed through the Cydia platform on jailbroken iPhones. Developers are working on a version that will work with non-jailbroken phones, but that will take time. In a TorrentFreak…
Author: Blaine Martin
Apple’s upcoming iPad Air 2 is slated for release in October, and the rumors are flying about its new features. More power is a priority when a new string of tech is released. Apple will answer the call with its new 64-bit A8 processor, which is the same one that’s in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. An additional 1 GM of RAM is another distinct possibility, which can prove to be a lifeline when multitasking. The last iPad was .75mm thick, and the new version will be even thinner. iPhones and iPads have gotten thinner with every release.…
Chrysler and General Motors reported that car sales jumped 19% this past September. Ford took a slight dip in sales at 2.7%. Ford reasoned that the decline was related to a planned hold on 2014 F-150 pickup production while it prepares to release its 2015 aluminum-bodied F-150. Nissan also exceeded sales expectations, with sales that pulled past last year’s numbers by 18.5% to total 102,955. Honda posted a 12% increase from last year to 118,223. Honda’s premium brand, Acura, recorded an impressive 18.8% increase, but totaled only 13,832 additional sales over last year’s total. Toyota, when combined with sister brands…
Merck KGaA has agreed to purchase Sigma-Aldrich Corp to the tune of $17B in cash, in hopes of expanding the range of chemicals used in research labs and pharmaceutical manufacturing while reducing its dependence on drug development. Merck’s move away from developing pharmaceuticals couldn’t come at a better time, as their Sereno biotechnology business has struggled to create new products in recent years. Merck acquired Millipore Corp, a U.S. maker of lab equipment and chemicals, in 2010 for approximately $6B. They also bought AZ Electronic Materials SA, a chemical supplier for electronics companies, this year for $2.5B. Merck, founded in…
Alibaba Group, headed by Jack Ma, has asked for a $22B I.P.O. It’s the biggest one ever in the United States, and on the surface, it seems like a great move. Alibaba Group is not only the premiere e-commerce company in China; it’s the world’s largest Internet e-commerce company that boasts 231 million active buyers. It racks up $291B in annual merchandise sales stretched across 11.3 billion orders. Amazon and Ebay pull $82B and $17B in annual revenue, respectively. When a lofty IPO like this is presented, it’s often the personality and character behind the company that gets the deal…
Amazon stepped further into the hardware foray with the introduction of six new devices and/or revamped devices. Among them is the Kindle Voyage, with Wi-Fi and free 3G, costs $269; Wi-Fi only versions costs $199. A gentle press on the bezel of the Voyager turns the page. An adaptive front light senses your environment and lightens and darkens the brightness automatically. Amazon has revamped its basic Kindle e-reader to include a touchscreen, and is priced at $79. It comes with a touchscreen display that reads like real paper, totally devoid of glare. It’s lighter than a paperback, and depending on…
The pricing for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is lofty to many of us, but there’s some relief available for many current and former Apple users: used iPhones. Used iPhones can go for as much as $200, thanks to peaking demand for earlier models. Statistics show that 75% of people that purchase the new iPhone will trade in their old ones. That brings up a grand total in excess of 22 million being turned in. Last year, only 50% of iPhone users turned their old phones in. IDC projects that Apple will sell 65 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6…
Apple’s updated operating system, iOS 8, is here, much to delight of iPhone and iPad owners (and some iPod Touch users)everywhere. iOS enables users to answer phone calls on a Mac and adds display info in the “Today” screen that includes sports scores and weather updates. iTunes purchases can be shared through iOS8 as well. Apple Pay, Apple’s mobile payment system, will be available. The update will be accessible for owners of the iPhone 4S, 5, 5C and 5S. iPads are included, except for the first generation. Unfortunately, only owners of the latest iPod Touch can upgrade to iOS 8.…
With the introduction of the tablet in recent years, now time has been better than to compare tablets and laptops. Some ask if the laptop is necessary, with all the features that tablets have. As with most choices, there will be a divide over what choice is the better option; so is the case with tablets and laptops. Your preference is what drives your choice, but a close-up on the benefits and drawbacks of each device can help consumers make a choice they can live with. One major edge that laptops have over tablets is power. Laptops pretty much always…
It’s official. Rockstar Games has announced that Grand Theft Auto V will launch on both the PS4 and Xbox One on November 18. GTA V, an open-world game, has racked up tons of awards, including 2013 VGX Awards for Game of the Year and Best Soundtrack. Only 24 hours after its release in September 2013, GTAV pulled in $800M in worldwide revenue. In less than three months, 29 million copies were sold. GTA V also boasts a coveted achievement; it stands as the fastest intellectual property to reach $1B in revenue. Unfortunately for PC gamers, GTA V has been pushed…
Coinbase, a San Francisco-based Bitcoin wallet and merchant processing platform, is expanding their reach to serve European consumers across 13 countries. This marks the first time Coinbase has taken a legitimate crack at business beyond U.S. borders. Coinbase is one of the largest Bitcoin wallets in the world. They serve nearly two million customers and 36,000 merchants like Wikipedia and Overstock, and they have 6,000 developers at their disposal. Coinbase is expanding to serve Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia. Coinbase has taken their time to expand to other countries because…
Canon’s got a trio of new Powershots that are poised to capture a chunk of the recently top-selling, high-end point-and-shoot cameras. On the Canon Powershot G7X, the LCD screen can flip all of 180 degrees to ensure that you can take selfies that will draw hundreds of likes. Wi-Fi and NFC (near-field communication) seem like worthy extras to keep you social media-connected. The G7X features Canon’s newest image processor, the DIGIC (digital imaging core) 6 improves low-light performance up to ISO 6400 with reduced noise. In movie mode, DIZGIC 6 enables recording in MP4 format at 60 frames per second…
Keeping tabs on your tire pressure couldn’t be easier, thanks to Salutica, a Malaysian manufacturer. The device is called Fobo Tire, and it’s a tiny device that replaces the four tiny black valve caps on cars. You simply replace your originals with Fobo tire sensors, and installation is complete. Fobo Tire continuously monitors tire pressure through Bluetooth technology. When a tire is deflated or flat, the information is sent to either a smart phone app or an in-car receiver. Since Bluetooth is a low-energy technology, the makers of the device claim that the batteries will lasts up to two years…
Trump Plaza Casino has officially closed its doors for good. It opened up in 1984 and is situated on the center of the Boardwalk , smack-dab on the end of the Atlantic City Freeway. During its seven-month run in 1984, it was ranked seventh out of the ten casinos operating at the time. The casino pulled in $36.8M last year, suffering a 31.5% drop in profits from the previous year. Trump Plaza casino is the fourth Atlantic City casino to close in 2014, after Atlantic Club Hotel Casino, Showboat Hotel Casino and Revel Hotel and Casino. Another closing and employee…
The new Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema LS10000 may make eyebrows rise on home theater owners and projector fans alike. The kick of being the first to try a new twist of technology for a brand may pull in buyers as well; the LS10000 is the first laser projector made by Epson. According to Epson, what they call reflective laser technology enables them to get an absolute black contrast ration on full-black screens without the use of an iris, although they admitted that low levels of light in a scene will lighten black levels. It’s important to note that the LS10000 is…
Microsoft has managed to draw widespread opinions and attention to their Surface ever since it debuted in 2012, but much was left to be desired in the area of sales. In the past, the Surface Pro was praised for build quality and overall performance, but battery life and pricing were noted as major drawbacks. Add the costs of a keyboard and docking station, and you have a trio of fairly serious issues that need to be address for the generation of Surfaces. Enter the Surface Pro 3, a 12-inch tablet/laptop hybrid with a slimmer body than its predecessor, a multi-angle…
The new Apple Watch is making a bold attempt to set the bar for all smart watches. It’s capable of all the abilities of smart watches on the market while exceeding expectations with innovative design and exclusive features. Apple watch will be sold in three different trim levels; there’s a base version, a sport version and an 18K gold edition. Six different bands are offered to cater to varying aesthetic tastes. Sapphire crystal, the second hardest transparent material after diamond, protects the display. Buzzing feedback alerts users of iPhone notifications, and like other smart phones, the Apple Watch can deftly…
Apple claims to have the technology and know-how to process payments through a wave of a smart phone safely, a process that techies have attempted to master for years now. Apple announced that it will release its take on the mobile wallet, Apple Pay. They’ve collaborated with three credit card companies and major retailers including Target to enable consumers to purchase products with a single button tap on the upcoming iPhone or Apple smart watch. Apple promised that Apple Pay will not store credit card information on smart phones or Apple servers. If their claims of high-security are true, Apple…
From first glance, one would guess that the new Motorola Hint is just a hopped-up hearing aid, but it’s not. It’s a Bluetooth headset, but it’s much more than that. Just about everything that you can do with the Moto 360 smart watch can be done with the Hint. The device uses your voice to connect with functions and applications on your phone. The Hint also responds to your inquiries, gives you turn-by-turn directions, enables you to send texts and emails, and posts to social media. The Hint has the cool ability to sense when it’s in your ear and turn on.…
It’s finally happened; you can actually send a beer to your friend through a mobile app. Facebook users are prompted on their News Feed to give their buddies a free Bud to add to their Happy Birthday wishes or buy a Budweiser beer for friends to celebrate other events. Right now, Buds for Buds and Bud Light Birthday is available only for those 21 and over in Denver and Chicago, but will be available nationwide. When a friend sends another friend a Bud, an online voucher is sent to the recipient. They can cash in the voucher in-person at a local bar or eatery after showing…
For Apple fanatics, the long wait is finally over. The new iPhones are here. They have curved edges and bigger screens, answering a major gripe from Apple loyalists. The iPhone 6 screen measure 4.7 inches, while the iPhone 6 Plus screen is 5.5 inches. The Plus version comes equipped with what Apple calls “Retina HD.” It comes jam-packed with 2 million pixels, which equates to double the 5S’s pixel count. The iPhone six has more than 1 million pixels, which is about 33% more than the 5S model. The wider dimensions of the iPhone have made room for a larger…
Motorola’s Moto 360 is finally available for purchase, starting at $249. The anticipated Android-Wear watch features a handsome round display that measures 1.56 inches. The screen is touch-sensitive and brightens when you tilt it. The 360’s display has a two-step bezel that leads to its number dial. If you don’t like a particular face, you can press and hold the display until a carousel of other choices appears. The wrist strap for Moto 360, made by Chicago-based Horween Leather, looks great and appears to be built to last. In addition to looking great, the 360 connects you to your Android device via Bluetooth.…
Samsung announced the release of two versions of the new Galaxy Note 4. One version of the new device features a curved design with a separate touch screen on the side of the phone. Samsung also announced a virtual reality headset device designed exclusively for the Note 4 that offers an immersive gaming environment and enriches video playback. According to Samsung, the Note actually outsells the more popular Galaxy S phone in some markets. Industry insiders believe that the Note started the ‘phablet’ trend-that is, phones that are almost as big as tablets. Samsung officials also claimed that Note users…
Police in Detroit arrested dozens of demonstrators who took part in a nationwide fast-food protest. Hundreds of workers from various fast-food chains, including McDonald’s, Wendy’s and KFC, planned and orchestrated a strike to bump hourly wages to $15. Protesters reportedly wore T-shirts that read “$15” and sat in the middle of a road. The protesters refused to move when asked to do so by police, and the sum of all arrests was estimated to be between 20 and 40. According to a Mashable report, many fast-food employees don’t make much more than the $7.25 federal minimum wage, which totals approximately $15,000…
Former lead singer for the bands Cobra and Survivor Jimi Jamison died on Sunday. He was 63 years old. He died of a heart attack at his home in Memphis, Tennessee. Jamison was the lead singer of Survivor from the mid to late 1980’s. Survivor’s best-known hit is “Eye of the Tiger” from the “Rocky III” soundtrack, a song that went double-platinum in 1982. Other notable hit include “Burning Heart” from “Rocky IV” and “The Moment of Truth” from “The Karate Kid.” Jamison joined the band right after the release of “Eye of the Tiger.” According to Jamison, it put…
Point guard Shannon Brown signed to the Miami Heat on August 27th. This is the eighth team Brown has played for during his career. He’s previously played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks, the L.A. Lakers, the Charlotte Bobcats, the Chicago Bulls, the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs. Brown was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2006. He played 19 games for the New York Knicks in 2013-2014. He averaged 7.8 minutes, 2.1 points and .8 rebounds per contest. The Knicks waived him in late July. His peak playing time came in 2012-13, with the Phoenix…
Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended for the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He met with appeals officer Harold Henderson, but was unsuccessful in reducing the penalty. According to reports, Gordon told the league that his positive drug test was the result of second-hand marijuana smoke. He noted that his failed ‘A’ sample was only one nanogram per milliliter higher than the league’s limit of 15 nanograms, and that his ‘B’ sample measured below the limit at 13.63 nanograms. Gordon has a long rap sheet in terms of violent team substance rules; in college he…
Uber may have had the veil pulled off of a grand scheme created to snatch driver’s from Lyft, their most popular competitor in the car service business. The Verge published a report that exposed Uber’s campaign to recruit Lyft drivers, called Operation SLOG. According to the report, Uber hired independent contractor and bought them burner (throw-away) phones, credit cards to create dummy accounts and strategic talking points to influence Lyft drivers to leave their job for Uber. These contractors booked rides and urged drivers to switch to Uber. Contractors could make up to $750 for successfully convincing a Lyft driver…
Apple is set to release a bigger version of its iPad, a 12.9-inch version, in 2015. Apple has struggled with declining sales for its 10-inch and 7.9-inch tablets. According to a Bloomberg report, users are replacing iPads far less frequently than Apple expected and large smart phones and comparable tablets from Samsung and LG have snatched up sales. Apple CEO Tim Cook pointed out that the release of a new iPad is “working to shake up” Apple’s tablet line. In a recent Re/code interview, Cook shrugged off declining iPad sales as “a speed bump.” The new iPad display is slated…
Hewlett Packard just announced that it will recall more than 6 million power cords because of their propensity to overheat and potentially cause fires. The power cords plug in to a wide array of products, including Compaq notebooks, mini notebook computers and other devices like dock stations. The cord in question is called the LS-15. It’s a black cord with its name molded on the adapter end. Computers with this cord date back to 2010 and were issued with it until 2012. According to the US Product Safety Commission, “HP has received 29 reports of power cords overheating and melting…
High-yield bond business is piping hot in Australia, based largely upon high demand from wealthy individuals. Two major factors have triggered the high-yield effect. Higher capital costs have caused banks to take on less risk than usual in lending to unrated and otherwise unproven companies. Additionally, low interest rates globally have forced investors to take on more risk for decent returns. Within the past year-and-a-half, seven firms sold $1.39B in local high-yield debt, up from zero from before that span of time. Outstanding Australian high-yield debt has multiplied in dollar amount 10 times to $20B. High-yield debt was only $2B…
A new iPad app is geared to replicate the sense of typing on a manual typewriter. Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks is also an avid vintage typewriter collector. The app implements the sights and sound of an old-fashioned typewriter. In a note shared in the app, Hanks said, “In the late 70’s, I bought a typewriter – portable enough for world travel and sturdy enough to survive decades of 10-fingered beatings. “ The app enables users to type emails, letters and stories on a virtual typewriter, coupled with the sound of clanking keys as each letter appears under the type hammer.…
Spotify has enabled free streaming for Windows phones. Before the big change, users could only stream through the Spotify app with a monthly subscription, which featured ad-free listening for $9.99. Now, Spotify offers free streaming for Windows phone via the shuffling option. Android and iOS users have had the free subscription available since last year. Just like iPhone and Android users, Windows phone users can use current playlists and shuffle tracks instead of listening to songs on an on-demand basis. Spotify can also shuffle the catalogs of artists and search for music based on mood or genre. You can drag…
Burger King may acquire Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons Inc. Known internationally as Tim Horton’s Café and Baker Shop, it holds the crown for Canada’s largest fast-food service. Tim Horton’s establishments have spread in waves, and eventually pulled past McDonald’s as Canada’s largest food service provider. At the end of last year, Hortons Inc. had 3.588 restaurants in Cannada, 859 in the United States and 38 in the Persian Gulf. The deal would be constructed as a ‘tax inversion’ transaction. As a result, Burger King can establish a main headquarters in Canada and thereby pay lower corporate taxes.…
Internet thieves are targeting JP Morgan Chase & Co. customers in an email “phishing” attack. It’s different from other email fraud campaigns in that it tries to collect information from JP Morgan while simultaneously infecting PC’s with a virus that steals passwords from other businesses. The criminal operation, named “Smash and Grab,” was launched last Tuesday (08/19). It sends an email that advised recipients to click to view a secure message from JP Morgan, according to researchers with Proofpoint Inc. According to Trish Wexler, Chase representative, the bank believes most of the malevolent emails were stopped by filters at large…
Researchers from the University of California Riverside Bournes College of Engineering and the University of Michigan have exposed a weakness that they feel may exist in Android, iOS and Windows operating systems that could enable malevolent applications to snag personal information. There’s one ability that all apps share that poses the biggest threat to smart phone security-that is, the ability to access a phone’s shared memory. UC Riverside associate professor Zhiyun Qian said, in a CNET interview, “The assumption has always been that these apps can’t interfere with each other easily. We show that assumption is not correct and one app…
Steven Spielberg is working on making his hit 2002 film “Minority Report” a TV series. The film was based on a short story by Philip K. Dick. The movie “Bladerunner ” was based on Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Sleep?” Dick was the mind behind another box-office smash, “Total Recall.” It was based on Dick’s short story called “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale.” In “Minority Report,” Tom Cruise starred as John Anderton, head of PreCrime. The unit used psychics called precogs to find and arrest killers before they committed crimes. The film won 16 Academy of Science…
Pebbles smart watch users can now track ESPN scores from their wrists. The app that tracks multiple games can be set up to vibrate when scores change. Users must pair their Pebble smart watch with an iOS or Android smart phone to enable the app. It features scores and stats from every professional league, so it’s possible to track the progress of your favorite teams across several sports. According to Ryan Spoon, digital production management ESPN SVP, “The ESPN app for Pebble extends our presence on wearable technology and reflects a belief in product and content mobility. Whether it is…
When the first Lenovo Ideapad Yoga 13 debuted, it was a standout among proven tablets. Its unique hinge that allowed the screen to be folded all the way backward gave it a decisive edge over its competitors. Three modes- tent, slate and stand- definitely attached a cool factor to it. But, as with most gadgets and do-hickeys, the passage of time exposes flaws, and rivals invariably step their game up. Other Ultrabooks offered longer battery life and sharper screens, so it was time for Lenovo to hit the reset button. Enter the Yoga Pro 2. The new cpu is both…
Netflix’s aim to be the Internet’s HBO is the real deal. The streaming service has announced four new comedy specials to premiere exclusively on its service this year, one-hour programs from Bill Cosby, Jim Jefferies, Bill Blurr and Chelsea Peretti. “Bill Cosby 77” was recorded at the San Francisco Jazz Center on his 77th birthday and will be available on November 28th. Jim Jefferie’s show, “BARE” will be available August 29th, and “Brooklyn 99” star Chelsea Peretti’s “One of the Greats” will premiere on November 14. Bill Burr’s special, “I’m Sorry You Feel that Way,” will debut on December 5.…
In response to the potentially damaging accusations of sabotage from Lyft, Uber has turned the tables on their rival, arguing that Lyft has been guilty of the same wrongdoing. In a recent statement, Uber claimed that Lyft employees have canceled 12,900 Uber trips. Uber reps believe this was a response to Uber’s reluctant consideration of acquiring Lyft. In the statement, Uber added, “These attacks from Lyft are unfortunate but somewhat expected. A number of Lyft investors have recently been pushing Uber to acquire Lyft. One of their largest shareholders recently warned that Lyft would ‘go nuclear’ if we do not…
According to CNNMoney, Lyft officials claim that Uber employees have been booking and then cancelling thousands of rides over the last nine months. A total of 5,560 Lyft rides have been negated by 177 Uber workers since October last year. This strategy could work because booking a ride would make that car unavailable to others, thereby jamming Lyft’s schedules and forcing customers to look for other car-sharing platforms. Drivers suffer because they waste time and gas on fraudulent rides. In a statement to CNET, Lyft Communications Director Erin Simpson said, “It’s unfortunate for affected community members that they have used…
Google and Apple stand to face more serious consequences than $324.5M would cover. The suit covers damages done to over 60,000 employees and alleges that the two technology brands conspired to blacklist their top workers from getting better job offers elsewhere. U.S. District Judge Judge Lucy Koh denied a settlement amount that was reached in April, thereby extending a case that’s already three years in the making. She estimated that the workers deserved $380M, a considerable jump from April’s estimate, considering the fact that the earning potential of the employees was serious undermined due to underhanded business practices. Lawyers that…
A judge recently denied GM’s motion to dismiss a new lawsuit filed by the family of Brooke Melton, a woman from Georgia that died due to a faulty ignition switch in 2010. Melton died when the ignition switch in her 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt slipped into accessory mode and the car collided with another vehicle. Melton’s parents, Ken and Beth Melton, sued the company before in 2011 and settled for $5M in 2013. Information that was revealed by the case led to the recall of 2.6 million GM vehicles, which included the Cobalt, and initiated federal investigations to determine whether or…
Rio Mobility engineers have created a line of hand cycles and attachable scooter devices that were designed to keep people that use wheelchairs more active and healthy. According to designer band Rio Mobility CEO Bart Kylstra, wheelchair operation can be painful, and he wanted to design devices that could simplify life with a wheelchair. George Alvardo was stabbed in the back during a party and was consequently paralyzed from the chest down. He was depressed for months after learning he’d be confined to a wheelchair, but things looked up once he received a hand cycle. It’s a great way to…
Lululemon founder Chip Wilson will sell half of his stake in the company to put an end to a potentially brutal clash between himself and investors. As per their agreement, investment firm Advent International will pay Wilson $845M for 20.1 million shares. That transaction reduces Wilson’s stake in Lululemon from 28% to just 14%. In June, Wilson lashed out at Lululemon’s board and made the force exit of directors and a hostile takeover a possibility. Two familiar faces will fill seats on the Lululemon board; David Mussafer, Advent’s managing partner, and Steve Collins, Advent’s managing director. Advent was a major investor…
McDonald’s will likely suffer a noticeable drop in their sales forecast for 2014 after a Chinese TV report exposed workers at a supplier using expired meat and altering food production dates. In a statement, McDonald’s said, “”As a result of the China supplier issue, the company’s global comparable sales forecast for 2014 is now at risk.” The fast-food chain added that sales have dipped in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, by 7.3%. There couldn’t be a worse time for the food scare, as McDonald’s in China still hasn’t recovered from a separate food scandal and a bird flu outbreak…
London has quickly become the best place to meet a millionaire. The capital of England is home to more millionaires than New York and Tokyo. In order to estimate wealth, the recent study considered publicly available company account information and luxury goods including yachts, property, art and private jets. According to experts, a startling one in 35 people – 395,600, is a millionaire. Many attribute London’s popularity and reputation for high livability to its thriving economy. Andrew Amolis, head of research at the New World Wealth consultancy, said, “”London is an international city and attracts wealthy people from all over…
BMW has logged its highest SUV profitability since 2011. Much of their success has been attributed to the rising popularity of the X5 model in China. BMW’s second-quarter earnings before interest and taxes jumped to 11.7% of sales from 9.6% the year prior. Those numbers beat 9.9% from Audi AG, the world’s second largest premium car maker. BMW is rolling out 16 new or refreshed models this year to win customers and compete against competitors like Volkwagen AG’s Audi and Mercedes to gain the global premium sales lead by 2020. BMW has seen a 30% boost in X5 sales in…
Gannett, which already owns 27 percent of Cars.com, has agreed to buy out the other companies that own the auto-sales website for $1.8 billion. Gannett also owns USA Today. Cars.com enables users to check car prices, compare models, and read either expert or consumer reviews. Classic Ventures, the group that owns Cars.com, is backed by four companies in addition to Gannett: McClatchy Co., Tribune Media Co., AH Belo Corp. and Graham Holdings Co. Gannett president and CEO Gracia Martore, explaining the acquisition, said, “The bold actions we are announcing today are significant next steps in our ongoing initiatives to increase…
LinkedIn Corp. will pay approximately $6 million in back overtime and damages to 359 current and former employees, according to Chicago Tribune. Workers in California, Illinois, Nebraska and New York will receive payment. According to David Weil, a Labor Department administrator, LinkedIn has kept up their part of the deal. “[LinkedIn] has shown a great deal of integrity by fully cooperating with investigators and stepping up to the plate without hesitation to help make workers whole.” The Labor Department’s investigation revealed that LinkedIn, based in Mountain View, California, did not properly record hours and compensate workers for all hours worked, which violates provisions…
The original “BioShock” game will make it to iOS this summer. It will be available on iPad Air, iPad 4, iPad Mini 2 and iPhones 5C and 5S. 2K Games will release it. Most game experts expect it to be a bit pricey since it falls into the “premium” game category, which means it will cost somewhere around $10. The game is already seven years old, so 2K probably will not ask for more than that. Naturally, iOS devices are less capable of putting the game’s full potential and graphics on full display, so do not expect images to be nearly…
A study at John Hopkins University (JHU) in Baltimore determined that, in the future, a blood test may be able to determine a person’s likelihood to attempt to commit suicide. Scientists have identified a genetic mutation that could function as a red flag of a person’s vulnerability to the effects of stress and anxiety, which could indicate the risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts. The scientists locked in on the gene SKA2, which controls how the brain reacts to stress hormones. It functions to inhibit negative thoughts and control impulsive actions. A group of chemicals, called methyls, can adversely affect the gene. If the gene’s…
Twitter just acquired Mitro, a password security firm based in New York. Mitro will join Twitter’s New York location and focus on “geo-related projects,” according to a Mitro representative. Mitro’s password manager records usernames and passwords as you visit new websites and automatically logs you in to sites you have visited before. Mitro also keeps vital information, like driver’s license numbers, safe. Likewise, you can share secure information with whomever you wish through their program. Mitro will continue to operate as usual, except it will open source its data. Mitro is working with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to, in their words, transition…
Picture an app that enables you to send texts, pictures or a combination of the two to complete strangers. You could fire off texts to up to 50 people at a time, and tap your fingers as you anxiously await a reply. Or two. Or 30. Well, that scenario can be a reality with Fling, a new app headed by Marco Nardone. He’s also the founder of a U.K.-based social network startup called Unii. You can receive texts from people you don’t know, and you can also see the general locations of people that reply. All you have to do is double-tap a reply…
DVD Netflix subscriptions have dipped recently, but international streaming services have exponentially risen in sales in the last quarter. While 391,000 customers dropped their DVD-by-mail plans in the last quarter, Netflix added 1.12 million international subscribers in the same time frame. There’s potential for higher numbers when Netflix adds six new streaming markets, including France and Germany. Read also: Netflix Reaches Over 50 Million Members and Plans to Keep Expanding Netflix added 570,000 U.S. streaming subscribers to bring the total to 36.2 million. The international customer total has hit 13.8 million. The company has drawn critical success for its shows; it…
Amazon’s new Fire Phone is now on sale and is priced to compete with other smartphones. It has a plethora of capabilities, but it has yet to be seen if Apple or Android users will abandon their mobile devices for the Fire Phone. At first glance, the Fire Phone looks a lot like an iPhone as far as its shape is concerned. It has curved corners and is relatively thin like the iPhone. However, hat is where the similarities end. The Fire Phone features glass on both sides, rubber corners and the Amazon logo on the back. Plus, it has a speaker…
City officials are close to finalizing an agreement that would expand New York City’s bike-sharing program. Named Citi Bike because of its sponsor’s name, the program has shown its value and, over the past year, has exposed its issues that need attention. Faulty software and worn-out bike docks are among the most repeated complaints from bike-sharing customers. Annual membership took a slight dip, as well; there were 96,318 annual members in June, compared to 105,355 in May. Former mayor Mike Bloomberg initialized the program, and his successor, Mayor Bill de Blasio, hopes to make his mark and improve its efficiency. If the prospective deal happens,…
Kevin Love has chosen to forego playing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain this year largely because his next landing place in the NBA is still undetermined. The three-time All-Star is a major cog in a possible deal that could bring Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers by sending #1 pick Andrew Wiggins to Minnesota. Some NBA experts claim that the combination of Kevin Love, two-time champion Lebron James and 2014 All-Star Game MVP Kyrie Irving would make the Cavaliers the favorite to represent the East in the NBA Finals. Love is not the only NBA player to pass on this…
The Unites States, Japan and India initiated the week-long war games on Friday, July 25. They are strengthening their naval ties as China appears more aggressive and beefs up its military. The United States and India are usually involved in the annual event, known as the Malabar Exercise, but Japan will also take part this year. This will be Japan’s third appearance since 2007. The exercise will take place on the southern coast of Japan. China has many countries on a tentative alert due to rising tension and disputes. Vietnamese officials discovered a Chinese-built oil rig in the Paracel Islands.…
Driving while drowsy is a deadly problem all over the United States. In an extensive study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4.2 percent of the drivers tested said they had fallen asleep at the wheel within the last 30 days. That number may seem low, until you factor in that 4.2 percent of all cars is roughly about every 25th car you see on the road. Across the 19 North American states tested, Oregon scored the lowest amount of drowsy drivers at 2.5 percent and Texas received dubious top-billing at 6.1 per cent. Project HARKEN (Heart…
Speaker John Boehner has issued an ultimatum to President Obama. Boehner proposes for the president to either support reforms to toughen border controls or face the possibility that no money will be allocated for dealing with the humanitarian crisis involving child migrants from Central America. Boehner wants Obama to lean Democrats toward changing a bipartisan 2008 anti-trafficking law that prohibits U.S. officials from quickly returning migrating children who are not from Mexico or Canada to their countries of origin. In a letter to President Obama, he wrote, “Frankly, it is difficult to see how we can make progress on this issue…
It’s hard to believe that Ray Allen (UCONN) hit the game-winning shot over Allen Iverson (Georgetown) in the Big East Championship 19 years ago, but it’s true. According to the Boston Globe, Allen is leaning toward signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Allen, 39, averaged 26.5 minutes per game for the Miami Heat last year. Experts feel that with Cleveland’s stacked roster, much less play time will be required of him. Dion Waiters and Andrew Wiggins are widely expected to handle the bulk of shooting guard responsibilities next year. Lebron James made quick work of having former teammates Mike Miller and…
James Rodriguez is cashing in on his memorable performance in the World Cup. He recently inked a six-year deal with Real Madrid on Tuesday, July 22. Rodriguez aims to bolster Real Madrid’s already formidable offensive line that features Globe Soccer Award winner Cristano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. He is the third $100-million player to join Real Madrid since 2009; Ronaldo and Bale both commanded the hefty sum. Rodriguez scored six goals in the World Cup and earned the Golden Boot. According to reports, Real Madrid has paid French team Monaco a transfer fee of $108 million for Rodriguez.…
Former Indonesian National Armed Forces general Prabowo Subianto suffered a loss in Indonesia’s presidential elections, but he looks to appeal the results. He has brought into question several irregularities in the voting system. According to Indonesia’s General Elections Commission, Joko Widodo defeated Subianto in the election on July 9 by a margin exceeding 8 million votes. Widodo is the populist governor of Jakarta. He held 53 percent of the vote to Subianto’s 43 percent. Subianto claims that more than 52,000 voting stations could have fallen victim to a faulty counting process and a questionable way of casting ballots. In all,…
Yahoo has bought Flurry, an analytic firm, to help elevate advertising revenue from smartphones. Reports indicate that Yahoo spent $200-300 million for Flurry, easily making this move the biggest for Yahoo since acquiring Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Profits for Yahoo fell by 18 percent only a few days before acquiring Flurry. Likewise, revenues fell by 3 percent, according to BBC News. Firm officials from both sides said that by working together, they can optimize serving their customers while generating a higher profit. “With Yahoo, we will have more access to more resources to speed up the delivery of great products…
Genie Smart Lock is shooting for the stars with battery life. The smart lock company aims to not only enable access to unlock and lock doors via Internet, but to also have the smart lock battery life to last for a year before requiring recharging. There are alternatives to Genie Smart Lock, like Lockitron and Unikey, but they do not anticipate pushing the boundaries of battery life like Genie. Lockitron claims their locks pull an average battery life between two and three months. Smart locks use a Wi-Fi signal to function, and if the smart lock checks for a signal…
“Maverick” star James Garner died at his Los Angeles home on Saturday, July 19. He was 86 years old. The Oklahoma native dropped out of high school at 16 to join the Merchant Marines. He earned two Purple Hearts when he was wounded twice in the Korean War. Garner got his first crack at acting in 1954, in a non-speaking role, in the play “The Cain Mutiny Court Martial.” He earned television roles and television commercials, which led to a contract with Warner Brothers. They gave him a co-star role on “Maverick,” which put Garner into the spotlight. It was…
Hydro Toys LLC sought to make waves in the water toys industry, as they felt it “lacked innovation,” so they successfully developed a self-sealing and environment-friendly balloon. Hydro Toys LLC, a part of Austin-based Blue Matrix Labs LLC, has already placed its Zorbz water balloons in 120 Bed Bath & Beyond stores, more than 4,600 Rite Aid stores as well as on Amazon.com. Blue Matrix Labs CEO Kendall Harter said they are targeting between 100 and 200 Toys “R” Us and Five Below stores for the upcoming launch phase of summer. Zorbz aims to provide families with an alternative for children…
Three students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have patched together a 3D printer that can produce delicious edible ice cream. Kyle Hounsell, Kristine Bunker and David Donghyun latched a soft-serve ice cream machine to a modified 3D printer as a part of a graduate project and have made news as being the first to do so. The 3D printer sits inside a small freezer. A liquid nitrogen lines hit the ice cream as it’s placed, which keeps it solid from start to finish. The instant cooling allows the printer to build up the ice cream layers in the…
A planned strike on the Long Island Rail Road was averted Thursday, July 17, according to state officials and union leaders. Workers previously planned to walk off their jobs on July 20. In light of request by union employees, the new contract includes 17 percent raises across the next six and a half years. In a press conference, Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “It is my pleasure to announce today that we have settled a four-year dispute dealing with the Long Island Rail Road labor unions.” The LIRR unions threatened to strike on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. if a deal wasn’t…
Jibo is a desktop robot that is attempting to break new ground as the first family robot. Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, head of the Personal Robots Group at MIT Media Lab, believes Jibo can be a learning tool, an organizer and one day assist the elderly in their daily lives. https://youtu.be/3N1Q8oFpX1Y Jibo is competitively priced at $499 for consumers, and the list of abilities of the robot is impressive. Jibo can take pictures for you, so you don’t have to be left out when taking photos. He can take photos and videos completely on his own by tracking activity around him.…
Nadine Gordimer was a prolific writer who brought to light the struggles and suffering of South Africans under apartheid. She died on Sunday at 90 years of age. As a native of South Africa, Gordimer could not ignore the constructs of suppression that apartheid created and nourished for so many years. She exposed the cruelties and injustices of her country’s policies on racial division to the world. Her chilling stories of how South African laws formed a wall between blacks and whites, or the “color bar,” as she called it, set the wheels in motion for future change in South…
Rockets continued to be fired from the Gaza Strip despite Israel’s agreement with the Egyptian cease-fire proposal. It was reported that nearly 50 rockets entered Israeli territory. Hamas leaders haven’t responded to Israel’s acceptance of the proposal. It would stop a battle that’s been going for nearly two weeks. The agreement calls for Israeli and Palestinian negotiations to happen in Cairo within 48 hours to consider new terms. Cairo-based Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk, posted a Twitter message as the rockets were flying, claiming that his group had “not issued an official position on the Egyptian initiative.” Hamas’ military wing,…
Citigroup has agreed to pay $7B in a deal with the government for misleading investors about the risk levels of mortgage-backed securities sold just before the 2008 financial crisis, according to the Justice Department. Citigroup is one of the largest banks to take a hit from the task force formed by President Obama to eliminate financial wrongdoing by big businesses. The bank received $45B in taxpayer bailout money in 2008. The task force was formed in 2012 to investigate whether banks were aware that they were placing inferior loans into securities sold to investors. The fine includes a $4B civil penalty, which…
Malala Yousefzai, a 17-year-old girl from Nigeria, has quickly become a voice for the hundreds of young women kidnapped by Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist group. Malala has had several meetings with parents that are holding on to the hope that their children will return home safely. Parents of the missing girls endured a 20-hour trip to Pakistan to meet with Malala to strengthen each other in this turbulent time. Malala was shot by the Taliban for wanting to go to school. “When she was shot, her mother said it would have been worse if they had kidnapped her… But…
FishBrain is a new smart phone app on Google Play and the App Store that provides users with statistics from various nearby fishers to hunt down the best fishing areas. Anglers log their fishing success on the app, and the data pop up on your smart phone. Users pick their favorite fishing waters to keep an eye on catches in the area. The app enables them to find a new place to fish or to rotate waters accordingly. Various factors, like wind direction and water temperature, can change when and where fish choose to bite. FishBrain lends a hand with…
Eduard Shevardnadze, a Georgian politician, died at the age of 86 at his home in Tblisi, according to Fox News. He affected many changes and made crucial decisions during the Gorbachev era in what was then part of the Soviet Union. He started his political career in a Komsomol organization and quickly rose in rank and was appointed Second Secretary and later First Secretary. He rose in political status steadily until 1961 when he was demoted for insulting a senior officer. As a result, he stayed out of the spotlight for two years before he returned as a First Secretary…
The United Kingdom seeks to step up their robotic and autonomous systems (RAS) development to catch up with other countries through a series of outdoor tests. The UK decided that RAS technology would be a key component of solidifying the growth of its economy and creating new jobs. Outdoor tests move RAS robots a few steps closer to deployment in the real world. The official robotics strategy notes the objectives and potential hurdles in developing RAS robots. “In many markets, RAS technology will face regulatory hurdles. In others, gaining social acceptance may be the key to early adoption. Such barriers are…
Engineers at the University of Illinois at Urbania-Champaign have managed to create a new class of robot, referred to as “bio-bots.” They’re powered by muscle cells controlled by electrical pulses. Though still at their beginning stages, the bio-bots carry incredible implications of the future of combining biology with 3-D printing technology and engineering. Study leader Rashid Bashir and University of Illinois professor Abel Bliss shared the possibilities of their findings. “Biology is tremendously powerful, and if we can somehow learn to harness its advantages for useful applications, it could bring about a lot of great things.” The bio-bots are smaller…
According to the Federal Trace Commission (FTC), T-Mobile has been placing hidden charges in phone bills for premium third-party text messaging services. The FTC claimed that T-Mobile has made “hundreds of millions of dollars” through these charges in a practice known as “cramming.” The premium services included horoscopes and celebrity gossip, and costs $9.99 per month. Consumers usually signed up for these services through ads on their phone or on a website. The services were supposed to require payment authorization twice, but T-Mobile had an agreement with these third-party services to charge customers automatically. On a monthly bill, these mystery…
On Tuesday, July 1, the Russian State Duma, or parliament, passed the first bill requiring that the personal data of all Russians be stored inside the country, according to Tech Crunch. If the bill is enforced, the effect would be felt across a wide range of industries that Russians are involved in. Every online service, from Facebook and Google to small-scale apps and websites, will need to have physical servers within Russian borders. The new rule does not stop there; companies that are not from Russia would not be allowed to send data outside of Russia unless they can guarantee…
On Tuesday, July 1, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted the ban on Japanese troops engaging in combat overseas. Abe claims the ban inhibits the country’s ability to defend itself and its allies. With North Korea’s nuclear program and China’s aggressive territorial claims looming, Abe aims to prepare Japan to defend itself abroad and to back up allies where he sees fit, according to a Time article. This would be the first instance which Japan has exercised collective self-defense since the end of WWII. This recent military objective conflicts with Japan’s US-authored constitution, but Abe would not have to change the constitution…
Rob Ford emerged from rehab Monday, June 30, and vowed to make a stronger commitment to sobriety. Toronto’s 64th and current mayor has four months left in his term, and some people plugged into the political scene feel he should spend the majority of his time in office apologizing to the people he has hurt and embarrassed over the years. Ford has attracted negative attention over the years, including public drunkenness at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, at the Garrison Ball event and at a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game during his stint as a city councilor. Ford took heavy criticism before…
Blackphone is a new Android device that aims to empower its users through high-security measures. It is the product of a partnership between Madrid-based mobile phone maker Geeksphone and Silent Circle, a security company. Blackphone puts security at the top of the priority list; it offers security updates that are not slowed down by service carriers and Silent Phone and Silent Text for encrypted telephony and messaging, according to Tech Crunch. SpiderOak secure cloud storage is another plus. Kismet Smarter Wi-Fi Manager protects the Blackphone from being connected to suspicious, untrusted networks. A security wizard guides new users through a…
ConnecTV, a social television experience app, will expand its features with its recent acquisition of TweetTV, a TV guidance startup based on analytics. TweetTV helps viewers pinpoint exactly what and who is trending on TV in real time. ConnecTV will implement TweetTV’s abilities on its own TV video network in addition to a free mobile app that allows users to watch, clip and share things that happen on TV, like an epic fight or a musical performance. The intention is for users to have an easy time discovering and watching shows that are the top of the heap in regards to…
“Moment” is a new app that exposes a developing problem, smart phone addiction. Not only can it tell users how often they are on their phone, but it can tell them where they use it. The Moment app is free to start out, but to make much progress users will eventually have to pay $1.99. Users may find it to be a small price to pay when its purpose is to reconnect them with people. The app enables users to set limits to track their daily usage, and it blasts a warning when they are at the edge of their set…
At the Google I/O Keynote, much was said about the Samsung Gear Live and the LG G Watch, but things were very quiet about the Moto 360 Watch. It is unfortunate, because the 360 has a few characteristics that separate it from the other two. One unique characteristic is the look; the LG and Samsung have square faces while the 360 is round. The 360 design hits the mark; its premium-looking finish and well-placed notification widgets. The 360 also has leather bands, which can be swapped. The bands for the LG and Samsung are rubber. The 360 has been lauded…
After numerous reports of high beam malfunctions, drivers in China have forced GM to respond and consequently recall nearly 195,000 vehicles. A glitch in the vehicles’ hardware prevents high beams from being turned off. The recall applies to GM vehicles sold between 2009 and 2012 that were built by Shanghai General Motors Co. Ltd., according to Tech Times. GM considers China the largest market for its automobiles. Recalls are a common theme for GM; Shanghai General Motors called backed more than 1 million Buick Excelles and 240,000 Chevrolet Sails in December 2013 because of a problem with the supporting brackets of the…
Google hopes that Android TV’s simple setup will distinguish it from other streaming video platforms available—namely, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. The premise of Android TV is to have viewers spend less time searching and more time watching and interacting. Consumers can control it via an app on their phone or a game controller. Instead of having to sift through dozens of pages of content, there are three simple rows of options; the top row holds your recommendations, the second contains your apps, and the third features your mobile games. Your content suggestions are generated through your Google Play and…
Toyota aims to give all-electric car manufacturer Tesla a run for its money with the all-new, hydrogen cell powered FCV. Toyota claims that the FCV has a range of around 435 miles; that’s a figure that easily bests Tesla’s offering on any trim level of Tesla’s flagship vehicle, the Model S. Another plus for Toyota is their claim that the FCV will emit only water vapor. On top of that, estimated refueling time is only three minutes. So the Toyota has the Model S beat in both recharge time and range. Right off the bat, this comparison seems like no…
Google hopes to beat Apple to the punch with smart watches. While Apple quickly ramps up its work force to produce and release a new Apple smart watch, Google will have the Samsung Gear Live released on July 7th. The Android Wear smart watch comes with a heart rate monitor embedded in its back. It has an every-day-at-the-office look, with a flat, plain band that seems rubbery. It features a 1.63 inch 320×320 screen and runs a 1.2GHz processor and 4GB internal storage. Google added that popular apps will be compatible, like Hangouts and Pinterest. The hardware is noticeably similar…
An election without a vote is sure to raise some eyebrows, even though it isn’t an uncommon occurrence; even more eyebrows arch when that elected official comes from a government that demonizes homosexuality. Oh, and did I mention he’s the new head honcho at the United Nations? Uganda’s Foreign Minister, Sam Kutesa, has been elected to the presidency of the UN General Assembly, and not everyone is pleased with his country’s aggressive policy of hunting down and detaining homosexuals. Some may be surprised by his election, as it brings implications to how he’ll address issues regarding sexuality. He was elected…
Many people dream of dumping their regular jobs to start their own business. The idea of dropping out of school or quitting their jobs for their passions sounds inviting. This is a risky proposition, as adults have financial responsibilities, and a regular job, can cover the bills on time. There is a brave fraction of the population that dares to dump their full-time gigs to make their goals a reality. People in their fifties have been successful on eBay in recent years and have proved to be just as insightful as younger age groups. A rocky economy and severe downsizing have uprooted…
Asian exporters may be getting a big boost from Apple production in more ways than one. Exports from Taiwan rose less than 2 percent over last year, while South Korea’s exports dropped about 1 percent from last year. Just when things are looking grim, Apple presents a brand new product to create jobs and nourish Apple fanatics worldwide. Quanta Computer has slated the production of Apple’s first smart watch in July to put the heat to competitors like the Samsung Gear 2. Pegatron Corp. in Taiwan plans to ramp up its workforce by 30 percent to handle the incredible demand…
Former Baylor center Isaiah Austin has been diagnosed with a career-ending condition. Genetic testing as preparation for the 2014 NBA Draft revealed that Austin has Marfan syndrome. In an ESPN interview with Holly Rowe, Austin said, “They said I wouldn’t be able to play basketball anymore at a competitive level. They found the gene in my blood sample. They told me that my arteries in my heart are enlarged and that if I overwork myself and push too hard that my heart could rupture. The draft is four days away, and I had a dream that my name would be…
A target has clearly been set upon Lance Armstrong to take the fall for doping in the 1999 Tour de France. With the US Postal Service as a sponsor, Armstrong recovered from cancer and won the Tour de France. Now that Armstrong has admitted to doping, the federal government wants its money back. Floyd Landis, Armstrong’s former rival and teammate, is spearheading the case. In 2010 he claimed that Armstrong, himself and other riders on the team doped on a continuous basis. The government issued a statement claiming the suit will rectify the years of broken promises during which Armstrong…
Pope Francis had stern words for Italian Mafia members who carry themselves as upstanding religious citizens. In an outdoor mass in Calabria, the pope said, “Those who in their life have gone along their evil ways, as in the case of the mafia, they are not with God, they are excommunicated.” The pope visited the relatives of a young boy that was the victim of an alleged Mafia hit in January. He was with his grandfather when they were both shot and burned in a car. Pope Francis condemned the local mafia, known as Ndrangheta, during a one-day-visit to Calabria.…
At least 14 people died in a flood in Bulgaria on Thursday, June 19th. The death toll has slowly risen as searchers find people lost in the storm. The natural disaster cut off electricity, blocked roads and caused several evacuations, according to Bulgarian officials. Firefighters evacuated several people from their roofs in Kalifarevo. Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall leveled several houses in nearby villages, leaving cars stacked on top of each other and causing extensive property damage. Weather experts reported that the rainfall in Varna and Burgas equaled the average rainfall for the month and that thunderstorms were expected in the next…
Air-traffic controllers in France went on a three-day strike Tuesday, which has delivered a major blow to several airlines. The protest was in response to European Union (EU) plans to liberalize the sector and create a single airspace. Other countries are expected to join the cause, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria and Italy. The European Union, by their definition, aims to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services and capital. It consists of 28 member states, including France, Germany, Greece and Ireland, and has been met with serious opposition. Approximately 1,800 flights were cancelled in France on Tuesday, after aviation…
Amazon’s brand new smart phone is slated for release July 25th. It’s aptly named the Fire Phone, and it has a few features that may bring customers in droves. One aspect of smart phones that’s been lacking overall is camera quality. Nothing beats a device made only to take great pictures, but since many more of us use phones than real cameras, we have to make due. The Fire Phone comes jam-packed with five infrared cameras, four of which are strategically placed in the front four corners. They’re designated to work in sweet harmony to enable the plethora of 3D…
Macy’s has won a decisive battle in a war that’s been ongoing for two years. New York Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey K. Oing, ruled that JC Penney interfered in the enduring relationship between Macy’s and Martha Stewart Omnimedia. Former JC Penney CEO Ron Johnson formulated a plan to have Martha Stewart’s company transform Penney’s home department into a shop branded by Martha herself. Under Johnson’s leadership, the organization also purchased a 16% stake in Martha Steward Living. The board has renounced that investment since then. Although the judge made it clear that Macy’s hadn’t proven that they deserve damages, he…
Window-based all-in-one PC’s have always been less expensive than iMacs, and it seems that this fact won’t change anytime soon. So is the case with the cheaper base version of the new iMac, starting at $1,099. The least highest price reaches $1,299, but there is a difference in performance between the two. In order to save $200, consumers are forced to accept a computer with only 500GB of internal storage space and a 1.4GHz dual core Intel Core i5. The $1,299 version packs a quad-core 2.7 Ghz Core i5 and twice as much hard drive space. The cheaper iMac uses…
Riots pitting Buddhists against Muslims led to three deaths and 78 injured people on Sunday. The conflict began after Boda Bala Seda (Buddhist Power Force), conducted a protest march. Stores and homes, some owned by Muslims, were lit on fire from gas bombs while stones and debris were hurled between Muslim and Buddhist combatants. An increase of Buddhist nationalism has surfaced in recent years, led by the Bodu Bela Sena, and they’ve pledged to defend Buddhism. It was reported that three mosques and several prayer houses were destroyed. Muslims and Buddhists fought face-to-face for hours before local authorities arrived. Sri Lanka Justice…
WeChat, China’s top mobile messaging application is being used to make hospitals more efficient and help improve patients’ overall visiting experience. Improving hospital services is a priority because China’s top hospitals see an average of 10,000 patients on a daily basis. Outside pressure has had an adverse effect the behavior of doctors, which thereby worsens patients’ experience; some doctors over-prescribe medicine to make more money, some expect bribes to ensure proper treatment and expedite waiting time. Chinese doctors, on average, make between $500 -$1500 per month, a paltry figure by anyone’s standards considering all the diligent studying and testing…
A 23-year-old Australian woman was sentenced to six years in jail for feeding her healthy three-year-old daughter cancer drugs in order to procure support and donations. The victim, now five years old, has suffered life-threatening illnesses, including bone marrow failure. She faces an increased likelihood to develop certain cancers and her chances of infertility have increased as well. The mother of two posted videos on YouTube to plead for support and claimed on Facebook that her daughter was fighting for her life. The victim told her grandmother that the pills she took every four hours were to prevent her…
Amazon revealed its new music streaming service for U.S. customers who are subscribed to Prime. It is pitted directly against the likes of Spotify and Pandora. Amazon’s new service starts out a few steps behind in terms of variety. For now, Universal Music Group’s expansive catalog won’t be available, and tracks from Warner Music Group and Sony are expected to be more than six months old. But Prime Music does have a possible advantage; there won’t be forced advertising as songs play, unlike the free versions of Prime Music’s competitors, Spotify and Pandora. The Prime program is huge for Amazon,…
Korean electronics titan Samsung is taking a big swing at Apple with two new high-end tablet releases. The new pair of tabs features brighter, thinner, lighter screens than the models preceding it. The new 10.1 inch Galaxy Tab S is priced at $499, while the 8.4 inch version is $399. Industry experts are convinced that it will take more than flashy promotion and pretty devices to repeat the success of Samsung’s smartphones, which are the company’s best-selling products. Samsung not only faces Apple as a competitor, but oversize smartphones that double as tablets, referred to as phablets, are absorbing a…
The NCAA has come to a settlement in regards to Electronic Arts using players’ likenesses without paying them. This is big news, because the NCAA has been adamant about not playing athletes while they attend college. The NCAA conceded it would pay current and former Division I Men’s basketball players and Bowl Subdivision football players $20M. The O’ Bannon Trial, named after former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon, featured testimony from O’Bannon and Stanford sports economist Roger Noll, who claims that athletes are entitled to half the revenue produced from television contracts. U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken will decide whether…
It’s now official: after months of wading through his options, Knick President, Phil Jackson, makes, some would say, his second biggest move since he took his position, the first being his decision to fire former Knicks coach, Mike Woodson. Derek Fisher is the new Knicks coach! He signed a five-year, $25M contract, which matches the deal Steve Kerr landed in California. Jackson pursued Steve Kerr for the coaching role, his former Bulls point guard who played a complimentary, but crucial role in winning three championships. With no prior coaching experience, Kerr was perceived as a possible “clean slate” for…
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma was released from the hospital Sunday evening after what officials called a routine checkup. Officials said he suffered bout of exhaustion, and his party voiced their concerns to him, stating that the long election process had taken a toll on them as well as Zuma. The Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe, added that Zuma will “continue to rest for a few days and will work mainly from home during the resting period (AFP, 6/9/2014).” Zuma’s African National Congress (ANC) party won the May 7th elections by an overpowering 62% of the vote. Zuma…
Juanita D. Duggan has been named the American Apparel and Footwear Association’s (AAFA) chief executive officer. She replaces Kevin M. Burke, who left the organization after 13 years of service. The AAFA represents more than 1,000 famous name brands and is the political voice for the apparel and footwear industries. The AAFA finds solutions to facilitate global trade, social responsibility, product safety and protection of intellectual property, to name just a few areas of its expansive mission goals. Duggan has a stellar employment track record. She served in the White House under President George H.W. Bush as Special Assistant…
In the short span of four years, cell phone company Xiaomi (Chinese for “small rice”), has built its China-based brand to compete with big names like Apple, Samsung and Lenovo. Last year’s numbers make it clear that Xiaomi is on the rise; in 2013, Apple sold over 23 million smartphones in China, while Xiaomi sold over 18 million. In the first quarter of 2014, Xiomi has sold 10.4 million smartphones to Apple’s 9.4 million. CEO, Lei Jun, has cut out the middle man by selling phones entirely online. Additionally, he hasn’t spent a dime on television advertising. He’s used this…
