Tag - Amazon
Hands On: OtterBox Defender Series case for iPhone 6/6s
We belong in the camp that says the best iPhone case is the AppleCare insurance program. For we love the feel of the phone without anything getting in the way. Unfortunately, whatever you may feel about cases, there are jobs where they are a practical necessity. If you have a job in, say, construction -- or maybe you spend your day running around a hospital, then the OtterBox Defender Series for iPhone 6/6s is startlingly strong, and surprisingly cheap.
Pebble integrates Amazon's Alexa assistant into Core wearable device
An upcoming wearable device recently unveiled by smartwatch manufacturer Pebble will allow owners to use Amazon's virtual assistant, the company has announced. Alexa, best known for being used on the Amazon Echo device range, will be integrated into the Pebble Core, allowing users to access Alexa's various abilities and ask questions using their voice, just using the Core and the device's standalone 3G connection to the internet.
Bezos: Business terms preventing Apple TV being sold through Amazon
Amazon is continuing to avoid putting the Apple TV on sale through its online store until Apple can provide "acceptable business terms," retailer CEO Jeff Bezos has confirmed. Speaking at the Code Conference yesterday, Bezos declined to answer why the Apple TV hasn't reappeared in the store since October last year, along with the Google Chromecast, but his response seems to suggest it has more to do with revenue generated by the app than increasing sales of its own streaming devices.
Hands On: Associate -- Simple Affiliate Linking for Amazon 1.0 (iOS)
There are niche markets, and there are niche markets that you should belong to. If you aren't already an Amazon Associate, think about it. Then get Associate: Simple Affiliate Linking for Amazon 1.0 as it helps speed up how you use the system. If you haven't used it, if you're not an Associate or if you've never heard of it, this is what's going on and why you should sign up.
New Apple TV revamp boosts sales, still fourth streamer in US
The updated fourth-generation Apple TV appears to have given the streaming box a big boost in sales, but this wasn't enough to move it up the streaming device sales rankings, according to new data from Parks Associates. Still leading the market is Roku, with its streaming sticks and boxes claiming a 30 percent share of the US market. Amazon's Fire TV and Google's Chromecast hold a 22 percent share each, while the Apple TV retained its fourth-place ranking overall -- even though sales were up 50 percent year-over-year, thanks to the launch of the upgraded model in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Roger push-to-talk app supports Amazon Alexa, third-party services
Alexa, Amazon's voice-based digital assistant, is making its way to smartphones as part of another voice app. Roger, a push-to-talk communications app that sent audio recordings between users, has been retooled as a "voice platform" that can send recordings to a variety of online services, with the app also allowing users to communicate with Alexa, even if they do not own an Amazon Echo or any other device that connects to the assistant.
Google plans own version of Amazon Echo codenamed 'Chirp'
Amazon's collection of network-connected speakers with built-in virtual assistants may be getting some competition from Google, if a report about a potential product is found to be correct. The search giant is said to be working on hardware like the Amazon Echo, Tap, and Echo Dot devices that can allow for searches to be performed without needing to access a smartphone, with the project claimed to have the internal codename of "Chirp."
Amazon Video Direct streaming service debuts to combat YouTube
Amazon today announced an enhancement to Amazon Video. The company has supplemented its Prime-only streaming service with the introduction of Amazon Video Direct (AVD), a new self-service program for creators and storytellers to make their video content available to Amazon customers.
Getting closer: five more gift ideas to get Mom with a few days to go
The other day, we gave you a few suggestions for things to get your Mother for her day this weekend. It's now a few days closer to the day, have you made up your mind? Do you really want to be out-classed by your siblings? In this collection, we've picked a few more things that Amazon or similar services will have no problem getting to Mom before Sunday. That said, you'd better get going.
Hands On: Pasonomi VR Headset
Not everyone can afford an expensive, immersive VR headset like the HTC Vive, but most of us have smartphones at this point, and there are more and more smartphone-compatible headsets being added to the market every day. If you've been curious about experimenting with VR, you can get a taste of what it's like by trying out the iPhone and Android compatible Pasonomi VR Headset, designed to work with the influx of VR apps available on the App Store.
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
