Meet the rival of Google Glass

Boy did Google raise the spirits with the announcement of their Google Glass! Voice activated controls, Minority Report like display, first-person camera action, etc. - a truly innovative and inspirational technology. But guess what – Google isn't the only one, who's working on such a device – meet the Jet, by Recon.

Of course, there are certain differences between the two devices. For example, the Jet has this sporty look written all over it. What's even more important, though, is that the Jet can be preordered for “just” $499, while the Explorer Edition of the Google Glass is more than twice that price.

Let's see what's under the hood of the Recon Jet. With a 1GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM and 8GB onboard storage, the Jet doesn't differentiate that much from the Glass. The screen of the Recon Jet has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and WQVGA resolution.

Naturally, you can pair the Jet to a smartphone via Bluetooth. Performance metrics are also integrated, as the Jet's GPS and on-board sensors provide speed, elevation gain, distance, etc. Everything mentioned so far sums up to just 60 grams.

You can get the $499 version through July 21. After that, the price will be $599. The deliveries are scheduled to start in December.

source: Recon Jet via BGR 

Infinity Blade II and some of the best games and apps are now free on Apple's App Store

Apple’s App Store will turn five in just two days and to celebrate some of the best games on it including titles like Infinity Blade II and Badland have been discounted to absolutely free. On July 10th, It would be exactly five years since Apple kicked off the App Store, a revolutionary change that brought us deeper and richer applications to mobile devices.

In these past five years, the number of downloaded apps skyrocketed to 50 billion and the number of apps has reached 900 000 and edging towards the first million.

Apple has not yet made the full list of free games available, but as we wait for this to happen in the next couple of days, here’s what’s been dug up thus far.

Update: We have just spotted 7 new games that have gone free in anticipation of the celebrations tomorrow. We've added them right below, take a look.

source: AppleInsider

very human must watch this video

US Government manages to get iOS running on a Nokia Lumia

We know the US Government has some amazing powers, and it seems this also includes being able to get a Windows Phone to run iOS when needed.

In the video above we have a Nokia Lumia 900 suddenly reveal itself to be running iOS when it receives a tornado warning from FEMA.

The video has obviously been edited from what the video agency originally produced, and UK readers will know unlabelled Windows Phones show up in ads numerous times running what appears to be Android (e.g. this Betvictor ad) and it probably means Nokia’s hardware is just so photogenic produces are unable to resist using them, despite the unfamiliar OS.

The video can be found at www.ready.gov/alerts.

Via Reddit.com

Indian OEM Micromax Working On Windows Phone 8 Device

Indian OEM Micromax revealed that they are working on Windows Phone 8 devices. Micromax is known for its low priced high spec smartphones in India. Micormax possessed 17.1 percent of the total Indian smartphone market share in Q1 2013, which increased to 24.3 percent in the month of April. CEO of Micromax said that “Going by the current pace and our new device, we are expecting 25 percent market share in the third quarter of FY13,”.

How do they compete against Apple, Samsung and others? One word, Price. Yesterday, they announced their flagship device Canvas 4, with 5-inch 720p IPS LCD display with Gorilla Glass, MediaTek MT6589 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 2,000mAh battery for just $295 and it comes with free aluminum flip cover as well. If they can release a Windows Phone device with similar spec and in same price range, Nokia will finally have a real Windows Phone competitor in India.

What do you think?

via: Lightreading

Viber For Windows Phone 8 Devices Updated With Support For Stickers And More

Viber today announced a significant update for their Windows Phone 8 app. The update includes deeper integration between Viber Desktop and the Windows Phone app, support for stickers, emoticons, performance enhancements and bug fixes.. They also announced that over 500,000 users download their Windows Phone 8 app every month, which I think is a impressive number on Windows Phone platform.

App Features:

- Support for the all new Viber Desktop – on Windows and Mac OS!
- Free calls with HD sound quality
- Free text and photo messaging
- Send stickers and emoticons, making messaging fun!
- Share photos on Viber directly from your device’s photo gallery
- Connect with your friends in group conversations of up to 40 participants
- Share your location in messages
- Live Tiles
- Pin conversations to your home screen
- Lock screen notifications

Download it here from Windows Phone Store for free.

via: TNW

eBay Now Finally Launches On Android – Delivers Products From Local Stores In 1 Hour

If you're nice and cozy at home, you have to ask yourself how much value you place on not leaving the house to go to the store. If you said $5 or more, eBay would like a word. The auction site's eBay Now app has just launched on Android so you can have someone else do the legwork. Just find the product you want in a local store, and tell the app you want it. Pay for the item (plus a $5 delivery fee) and it shows up in an hour. It's the ultimate in modern laziness technology.

  

The eBay Now service can bring you products from Best Buy, Home Depot, Target, Macy's, and more. The item can also be delivered wherever you want – home, work, or some other place you happen to be. eBay claims to have several thousand items ready for immediate delivery. The app not only lets you place orders, but tracks the progress of the valet as the item is picked up and transported to you.

 

Sadly, you won't be able to join the lazy shopping revolution unless you live in San Francisco, San Jose, or parts of New York City. Other markets are supposed to be coming soon, but for now most of us will still have to get up off our butts.

Sennheiser launches Momentum On-Ears, colourful and compact headphones for £170

Sennheiser has introduced the newest addition to its Momentum family of headphones, called Momentum On-Ears, which will soon launch in a range of vivid colours offered for the first time by the German audio company. 

Sennheiser says Momentum On-Ears will provide a stylish, compact design coupled with the finest materials - all without any hindrance to sound quality. In fact, the new headphones will include a high-performance transducer system for "rich and detailed sound performance with a slight bass emphasis". 

The Momentum On-Ears will come in blue, pink, green and cream colour options - this year's colours, according to colour trend followers - and sport an Alcantara finish on the headband and earpads. Alcantara is a soft material more commonly found in luxury yachts and cars like Lamborghini.

The headphones will also feature lightweight sliders made of brushed stainless steel, while a single-sided detachable cable will provide an in-line remote and microphone for Apple devices. Sennheiser's latest offering will cost £169.99 when it lands in mid-July.

How to Securely Hide, Lock, & Back Up Private Photos & Videos on your mobile

How to Make Your GS3 More Private

We've already covered a few apps for softModders that helps make things a little more private on your smartphone, like password-protecting apps,keeping the government out, and hiding private calls and texts.

But if you just want to protect your photos from prying eyes, give Sectos - Photo & Video Vault a try. It's completely free and easy to use.

What Makes Sectos So Good?

If you haven't guessed it by now, Sectos is a portmanteau for "secret photos," and it allows you to hide and lock photos, screenshots, and videos on your GS3. You can also make the Sectos app completely invisible, and you can have everything discreetly uploaded and backed up on Dropbox.

So, if you are looking for a great all-in-one application to take and store your private photos, look no further.

How to Set Up Sectos on Your GS3

After downloading the free app from Google Play, you'll need to create an unlock code. Once you've inputted your super secret pattern, you can choose to save an email address so that if you ever forget the pattern, Sectos can send it to you.

If you think that might fall into the wrong hands as well, you can skip this step. Just remember your pattern and you won't have to worry.

How to Hide the Sectos App Icon

In order to keep Sectos as secretive as possible, you'll want to hide the app itself from the launcher and home screen. That way if people use your phone, they won't see it and start asking questions or poking around in it. The developers made this app extremely easy to use, so hiding the icon will take a matter of seconds.

Step 1: Open Sectos and Head Over to Settings

Tap that action overflow button (the vertical line of 3 squares) located right next to the camera icon, then hit Settings. Next, go into Privacy Settings and uncheck the box next to "Show app icon." Once that's done, a small window should pop up giving you the number to dial in order to open the app.

Step 2: Restart Your GS3

If the icon is still present after unchecking the "Show app icon" box, you may need to restart the device in order for the changes you made to appear. Once restarted, you'll notice that the app icon is no longer visible. Check the before and after.

Now that the app cannot be accessed from the launcher or home screen, you will need to remember the call number in order to open the app from now on. Shouldn't be too hard.

How to Hide Photos & Videos in Sectos

Now that the app is hidden and passcode-protected, you can now begin using it to hide your photos and videos, and there are a few ways to do that.

Method #1: Hiding Them from the Gallery

If you already have photos or videos on your Galaxy S3 that you want to hide, just go into your Gallery and select all the items you wish to hide. Once selected, click on the Share icon (looks like a less-than sign) and select Hide Photo. If it doesn't first appear in the list, tap "See All" and you should find it. Once you select Hide Photo, all the photos will disappear from your Gallery and go to Sectos.

Method #2: Hiding Them Directly from Sectos

You can also hide photos from within the Sectos app. Sectos automatically uploads and separates your public photos from your hidden photos. If you wish to hide the public photos in your Gallery, you can select those images by clicking on the "Add new photos" icon. From there, you can select from you different sections—screenshots, camera, and temporary images.

After choosing a section, you can than select one or more photos by tapping and holding an image. A blue box and check mark should appear. Once you have chosen all the photos you wish to hide in Sectos, click on the exed-eyeball icon, which should be located right next to the double check marks.

Now those once public photos are locked away and protected from unwanted eyeballs. You should see a small pop up on the bottom of the screen informing you of how many items were hidden.

Method #3: Taking Photos/Videos with Sectos

Lastly, you can simply take photos or video directly from the Sectos app. You can chose to have a Sectos camera icon on the homescreen, but that defeats the purpose. Instead, open the hidden app using the number given to you on the initial setup and click on the camera icon. Now any picture of video you take will automatically saved to Sectos and can only be accessed via Sectos.

How to Connect Sectos to Dropbox

If you want to keep a backup of your photos, Sectos can be linked to your Dropbox account (Google Drive is in the works). Obviously, you'll need to have a Dropbox account, so make sure to set that up beforehand.

In Sectos, go to Settings -> Dropbox and check "Link to Dropbox." You will then be taken to Dropbox.com and asked to sign in. The options to backup, restore, and auto backup cannot be accessed until you authenticate your Dropbox account.

After you input your account information, Sectos will ask for access to your Dropbox, so hit Allow. You will then be redirected back to Sectos and should notice that the options are no longer gray and can now be accessed. Now you can set up your backups. It's as easy as that.

How Sectos Backs Up Your Photos to Dropbox

And if you were wondering if those backups could be viewed, the answer isno. While the photos are backed up to your Dropbox account, they cannot be viewed on a PC or phone.

Sectos changes the file type so that it's not recognized as an image and thus cannot be viewed. Pretty awesome right? So if you accidentally delete those photos from your phone, all you have to do is go in Sectos Settings ->Dropbox -> Restore and select the folder where your images were backed up.

What Do You Think of Sectos?

Sectos is a really good app for those looking for a little more security when it comes to their videos and images. It's free and does a great job giving you everything you need all in one place, so be sure to check it out. So, the next time someone tries to get a sneak peak at your photos, you'll have nothing to worry about.

Have you tried Sectos or do you know of another awesome secret photo app? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

via

Pandora for iOS now features auto-pause and improved buffering

The newest version (4.4) of Pandora for iOS is now available for download, and it comes with a handy feature that auto-pauses songs the moment you mute your device. In an effort to achieve what the company calls "stutter-free" music, Pandora 4.4 has also been remixed with improved playback buffering. Bug fixes and enhancements common to app updates appear in the changelog as well, and URLs that could only be accessed on the internet radio's website now work on iPhones and iPads. These changes might be few, but they were clearly designed to improve user experience... perhaps to deter people from switching to iTunes Radio when it hits the digital airwaves.

VIA: 9to5mac
SOURCE: Pandora (iTunes)

Chrome developer tools bring Bluetooth, iTunes integration to packaged apps

Google's last Chrome designer devices could give us even fewer motivations to close our program --devs can now assemble bundled applications with access to Google Wallet, Google Analytics, Bluetooth apparatuses and an API that swoops into the client's music library. In fact, Chrome has had a Media Gallery API for quite a while, however this most recent overhaul permits provisions to enter, import and play music utilizing itunes as a default media exhibition. Obviously, applications utilizing this API will require the client's consent before scrounging through their Papa Roach gathering, so settle down. The Chromium Blog's notes the Bluetooth association could underpin "flat vigor health apparatuses like fitness trackers." If that means applications that will screen a Fitbit and let us know to get up and extend, that'd doubtlessly be acknowledged. For the full discharge notes, hit the connections underneath. 

Amped Wireless 802.11ac WiFi router goes up for pre-order

Amped Wireless has announced that it is now shipping its 802.11ac 700mW dual-band WiFi router, which allows users to download large amounts of data faster than current router offerings. The device is packed full of amplifiers in addition to its high-power design, and as such offers long-range coverage, boosting it in a two-stage system for a speed increase over average wifi router’s of about 3x.

With 802.11ac routers, users will be able to stream large amounts of data, facilitating the streaming of – among other things – 4K video streams. The RTA15 from Amped Wireless features three 5dBi high-gain routers, as well as what the company says is the most amplifiers it offers in any of its products at 10. There are four 5GHz 700mW amplifiers, two 2.4GHz 700mW amplifiers, and four “advanced” low-noise amplifiers.

In addition, consumers will find a total of five gigabit Ethernet ports for use with wired devices or a network line, as well as a USB port for file-sharing purposes. All of this culminates in gigabit transfer rates wirelessly, quite a bit higher than 802.11N and serving to help reduce bottlenecking issues that can result from multiple devices or users all being on the same network.

As far as software goes, Amped Wireless says it has updated the user interface for this device, as well as offering customizable coverage controls, a guest network feature, support for IPv6, and parental security. As with other Amped Wireless products, there’s the Wi-Fi Analytic Tool Apps included for Android and Windows.

Amped Wireless’s CEO Jason Owen: “By combining our award winning high power technology with the horsepower of 802.11ac, we are able to provide fastest speeds at the greatest distances. This means faster streaming, downloading and web browsing with your Mac or PC laptop or desktop throughout your entire home, backyard or office.”

Shipping to buyers starts on July 16, with the unit priced at $189.99.

SOURCE: PR Web

Lenovo ThinkPad T440s ultrabook surfaces with full HD display and Haswell

The T440s ultrabook has cropped up on Lenovo‘s website, with the page appearing to be under construction still, or perhaps not intentionally published. In it, we get a minor look at the ultrabook visually, as well as a rundown of some of its specs, of which there’s such goodies as 4th-generation Intel Core processors and a full HD IPS display.

The Lenovo ThinkPad T440s features Haswell processors, of which there are no details about things like what kind of power consumers can expect. Presently, the tech specs page merely reads “Coming Soon.” We do get a slightly more detailed look at the display, however, which is a full 1080p HD (as well as an HD+ option) IPS display with “nearly 180-degree viewing angles.”

The keyboard is said to be Windows 8 enhanced with multimedia buttons, as well as status indicators, app-dedicated keys, and function lock. The trackpad has done away with buttons, by the looks of things, with it offering 5-point click integration. Lenovo says this feature can be customized with specific configurations via “Settings.” During ordering, customers will have an option of adding a backlight to the keyboard.

There are two 3-cell batteries on-board, with one being internal and the other swappable – no word on battery life, however. Audio comes by way of Dolby Speakers with Home Theater version 4, and ports include a VGA video output and USB 3.0. There’s a 720p webcam, and connectivity includes NFC, with no data presently being available about wireless and Bluetooth.

And that brings us to the machine itself, which has a starting weight of 3.5lbs, and a maximum thickness of “less than 21mm.” There is reported to be roll-cage technology built into the laptop for durability in its top cover and shell, with the former being constructed of carbon fiber and the bottom with magnesium. It is MIL-SPEC tested, and can withstand vibrations, humidity, high/low pressure, temperature extremes, dust, and drastic temperature changes.

SOURCE: Liliputing

Lenovo ThinkCentre M93p desktop keeps it “Tiny”

If you’ve seen some of Lenovo’s previous efforts in the miniature desktop machine environment, you’ll know that they’re aiming to be the best immediately, if not soon. Though they’ve not got the marketing hype of the newest Mac Pro, they’re certainly part of the same modern environment – they’ve got a rather similar aim, that is – packing as much power and high-end features into one super-small form factor as they possibly can – that’s what’s coming in the ThinkCentre M93p.

This device works with a form factor small enough to fit in your backpack and brings Intel Core i7 processors to the show – 4th generation Haswell architecture, that is. These processor work with Intel vPro as well and are fully prepped for work with Windows 8.

The M93p brings on a 64GB SSD with an option for a Solid State Hybrid Drive (SSHD) to bring on extra heftiness. This extra bit of space is mounted to a wall – if you wish – with a standard VESA mount.

Citrix Ready is also a marking on this machine, with energy efficiency also a major component of the offering – we’ll know more about this machine’s Small Form Factor Pro model with dual graphics and hard disk drive support sooner than later as well.

As for the unique features on this miniature monster: this machine works with Lenovo’s own “Smart Power On” technology which allows the device to be powered on – turned on, if you want to say it that way – from a wired or wireless keyboard paired with an Always On USB port. This Always On USB port also offers RapidCharge – that’s the super-swift (at least a whole lot quicker than non-RapidCharge ports) charging of your connected devices – aimed directly at smartphones, in this case.

Lenovo ThinkCentre M93z AIO packs Haswell, 1080p display

Lenovo just outed a few new ThinkCentre machines today, including the “tiny” M93p, as well as a new all-in-one computer that packs Intel’s latest Haswell chips. The company also unveiled the M83 and E93 desktop towers with Haswell inside as well. All of these new machines are built for businesses and come with a corporate state of mind.

The M93z sports a 23-inch full 1080p HD LED display with 10-point multitouch capabilities. Lenovo is touting the display as having “a wide viewing angle” and being “anti-glare.” As for what’s on the inside, Lenovo says that it’ll come packing with an Intel Haswell Core i7 processor with a hybrid storage drive (meaning both solid state and hard disk in one).

You can also get an optional 1GB AMD Radeon HD Discrete Graphics chip, although specifics aren’t yet discussed just yet. The M93z will come with both touch and non-touch versions, and will be available starting sometime this month with prices beginning at around $799.

As for the two desktop towers, the ThinkCentre M83 is “built for enhanced business productivity,” and comes packing with Intel’s Haswell processor and 64GB of solid state storage, with the option of choosing a hybrid drive. The M83 is a small form factor computer, but Lenovo says it has plenty of room for expansion.

As for the E93, it’ll be available in both mini-tower and small form factor models, and Lenovo says that it is “ideal for small businesses to boost productivity.” Again, it comes with Intel’s latest Haswell chip, as well as a hybrid storage drive. The machine also comes with “critical security features” like BIOS and HDD passwords for safe storage of sensitive data.

The M83 and E93 will be available beginning sometime this month, with prices starting at $529 for the M83 and $499 for the E93. Lenovo was rather vague on details, so hopefully we’ll hear more about the machines when they eventually release to the corporate masses.

iPhone 5S frame and “budget” iPhone shells leak again

Apple’s “budget” iPhone can’t seem to stay hidden, if a new set of leaked images are to believed, with the much-rumored entry-level iOS smartphone cropping up in new shots along with what’s said to be the iPhone 5S’ mid-frame. The images, shared by AppleDaily, show the now-familiar five hues of plastic-shelled iPhone – red, yellow, white, blue, and green – as well as an iPhone 5S that looks, unsurprisingly, strikingly similar to the existing iPhone 5.

According to the Taiwanese site, the “budget” iPhone will be roughly 2-3mm bigger than the existing iPhone in all dimensions, though the handset will use the same 4-inch display. That, as we speculated recently, looks like to be a control measure on Apple’s part, retiring the 3.5-inch screen size of the iPhone 4S which would, if the company’s previous three-tier phone strategy was continued, have become the new free-on-agreement option.

As for the iPhone 5S, the leak shows what’s said to be a bare mid-frame of the new flagship, also expected to debut later this year. Actually authenticating the component is tricky, given Apple isn’t expected to make much in the way of aesthetic changes to the handset.

In fact, the only real hint of an external difference we’ve seen – the rumor of a dual-LED flash – is near-impossible to check, given the angle that the rumored mid-frame is shown at. The opening next to the gap for the camera could well be sized to accommodate a single LED, or it might be big enough for two, it’s tricky to tell.

Exactly what will change internally has also been the subject of speculation. Some have indicated that Apple will keep the processor of the iPhone 5S the same, instead upgrading the graphics chip to a new quadcore that will presumably help keep iOS 7 running silky smooth.

VIA GSMArena