Category: Articles

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Spritz Speed Reading App to debut on Samsung Galaxy S5 and Gear 2

spritz speed reading service running on a Samsung Gear 2 smartwatchServices people! I want to see more cool services!

Phones are plenty powerful, and it looks like Samsung is helping an experimental speed reading app hit the big time. Spritz thinks they’ve got the magic formula to help people become speed reading masters.

By flashing one word at a time, and aligning them to help improve recognition, Spritz thinks their system will be not only easy to learn, but should garner results quickly.

spritz speed reading service running on a Samsung Galaxy S5Samsung also thinks there’s some merit to this system, and will be including a Spritz app on their up coming Galaxy S5 phone and Gear 2 smartwatch. Building the software into services like the Samsung Email app, it could provide faster delivery for emails and text messages.

This is the kinda stuff which does actually make me excited to see a new phone release.

More info on the Spritz Blog, where they also have a demo of the Spritz service in action.

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Google Play Turns 2 – Offers you some birthday goodies

google play second birthdayIt’s funny to think that Google’s online Android store, dubbed Play, is only two years old. Tech moves so quickly that it feels like this branding has been around a lot longer.

Anywho, with birthdays comes presents, and Google has a few goodies on tap for you with app offers, free songs, and sales on albums and movies.

Hit up the Play store for more info, and wish them a happy second trip around the sun!

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AT&T invests more than $1.95 billion into LA improvements

ATT logoConsumers are getting hungrier for better service and data access. In Los Angeles, AT&T is pushing forward on wired and wireless improvements for consumers and businesses.

Over the last three years, Big Blue has poured almost $2 Billion into opening up new pockets of LTE for thousands of LA residents, and offering up fiber lines to over 40,000 business locations.

“Continued investment in fast and reliable Internet connectivity is critical for both quality of life and economic growth in Los Angeles said Gary Toebben, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.  “Enhanced wireless and wired connectivity is an important benefit for residents, and the expansion of fiber-optic connections helps to level the playing field for small and mid-sized businesses across the metro area.”

Hopefully we’ll soon see more of that competitive spirit for residential wired services. LA is looking into providing free basic data service to all residents over the next several years, and we know Google is investigating a Fiber roll out in Northern California. AT&T has shown that it’s game to compete, matching Google’s offerings in Austin, so fingers crossed that we Los Angelenos start seeing some better opportunities than what we currently have with cable.

Full PR below.

Continue reading “AT&T invests more than $1.95 billion into LA improvements”

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App Review: Robotek by Hexage

RobotechOne day I was browsing the Microsoft Store to see if there were any Mech Assault like games just out of curiosity. I used to have that really crazy controller for the Mech Assault game for my first gen Xbox. After about 10 minutes or so I came across Robotek! It’s not quite a Mech Assault game however it is a very fun and addicting  turn by turn game with great sound and super smooth graphics!

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Here’s the scenario: Humanity has fallen and the rise of robots is starting to take place. Your job is to take back the world from the robots one node at a time! When you fire up Robotek you will notice the super smooth graphics of this game and the sound quality which is really amazing! When starting Robotek you will play your first level as a tutorial so you can get the hang of the game play. Once you complete the tutorial then you can start taking back the world one node at a time. The game play is a mix of RPG, action, strategy and slot machine.  You hit the green arrow and try to match all three of your weapons to inflict serious damage on your opponent.  This is a turn by turn game so plan your strategy carefully! Just a friendly warning: Robotek is very addicting with its game play and graphics!

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Here’ the feature run down on Robotek: Continue reading “App Review: Robotek by Hexage”

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Drivers Can Read Maps on Phones in CA, but You Should Still Be Cautious…

using maps on a phone while drivingThe courts are starting to catch up with technology, but I would still use a BOATLOAD of caution when using your phone while operating a motor vehicle in California.

Steven Spriggs was pulled over and issued a $165 ticket in January of 2012. He was using his iPhone to look up a map, but the officer wrote out the ticket saying he violated Vehicle Code 23123 which pertains to talking on a phone without a hands free kit. Specifically 23123 (a):

(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving.

Of course most of what happens on our phones isn’t necessarily tied to talking anymore. The 5th District Court of Appeals sided with Spriggs, stating that this part of the vehicle code could have been worded clearer, and that it did not pertain to looking at maps.

We’ve won one small victory for common sense, however there are still plenty of reasons to exercise caution while utilizing your phone for navigation and communication while operating a motor vehicle. Continue reading “Drivers Can Read Maps on Phones in CA, but You Should Still Be Cautious…”

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Qualcomm Reduces Price of Toq Smart watch to $249.99

qualcomm toq box smartwatch wireless charge cradle review somegadgetguyWe’re fans of the Toq here at SGG, but the price tag has certainly been a barrier for many looking to take the smartwatch plunge.

Well it looks like Qualcomm is addressing that concern by quietly slashing $100 off the price. You can now grab the Toq and its incredible outdoor viewable display for $249.99, bringing it right in line with the Pebble Steel. Not bad at all for a color touchscreen, wireless charging, and five day battery life. The recently announced SDK might mean we’ll soon see more apps for the Toq ecosystem.

Shop for the Qualcomm Toq, or read through our Toq coverage with reviews and updates!

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Galaxy S5 Pics Leak Ahead of Samsung Unboxed

Galaxy S5 camera appAnd here we get to the meat of the rumor and leak market, some decent pics of Samsung’s next flagship.

Following the design language of the Note 3, the GS5 is rumored to sport a 5.2″ display, which is creeping up on the 5.3″ screen of the original Note. Remember when we thought a phone that size was crazy? Yeah. Good times.

We still don’t know the full spec sheet, screen resolution, how many megapickles the camera will have, what the official battery capacity might be, but at least for now, we have a pretty good idea of what the phone will look like. We can also see a few new features like Download Booster which can use your LTE and WiFi at the same time, and there’s a covered USB port which might mean some kind of waterproofing is being used.

We can be thankful there will still be SOME discovery during Samsung’s event later today. Fingers crossed there might actually be a surprise or two…

Pics via SaudiAndroid and Hardware Zone

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Nokia unveils three Android powered phones: Nokia X, Nokia X+, and Nokia XL with Microsoft Services

13In an interesting twist on the rumors, Nokia officially unveiled a trio of phones running the Android operating system.

nokia xThe Nokia X and X+ feature four inch screens, while the XL has a 5″ display, all with a WVGA resolution. On board we’ll likely see dual-core Qualcomm processors, 512MB of RAM, and 5MP cameras. While the underlying core is AOSP, they’ll be heavily skinned with Nokia’s Fastlane UI found on their Asha devices. They’ll also heavily feature Nokia and Microsoft services like OneDrive, Skype, Here Maps, and Nokia Mix Radio. 

nokia x fastlane Aimed at entry and developing markets, the Nokia X will be available intermediately, starting at 89€ (around $120US). The X+ will add more internal storage and a MicroSD slot for 99€, and will be available in the second quarter of this year.  The Nokia XL will follow the X+ later in the year at an expected price around 109€.

nokia xl android plants vs zombiesNow these phones will likely not support Google Play, and I suspect the relationship will be more like Amazon and the Kindle. Developers will have to submit their apps to Nokia’s own standalone app store, but they wont have to rebuild apps from scratch so long as they’re compatible with low power Android hardware. It’s a curious thought that if these handsets find any market traction, Nokia’s app store could fill faster than Microsoft’s.

It’s also funny to think that Microsoft+Nokia might be able to succeed in producing popular low cost Android offerings which aren’t painful to use. The Moto G started a broader conversation in high quality phones for developing markets, and Nokia looks ready to continue that conversation. I wonder if there will be any demand for those Nokia services on traditional Android hardware, say Nokia Mix Radio for instance. I’m sure someone at XDA will grab the APK’s for us…

nokia 220 internet enabled phone for 29 euroThe exciting race this year is in low cost offerings. Nokia is taking a gamble by forking their OS, but they now offer several tiers of phones for a variety of different markets. This “X” line up slots in between Lumias and Asha devices.

Also announced was a new 29€ internet enabled phone called the 220 featuring a month of battery life, and a new touchscreen Asha 230 for 45€.

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