There’s a lot you can do in a web browser these days: you can send email, read news, watch videos, play games, and even make video calls. But a few years ago there were some things that were kind of tough to do in a web browser, so Google introduced support for Chrome Packaged Apps (which were later just called Chrome apps), allowing apps that run in a browser to behave more like native apps… even if they were created using tools like HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS.
There’s a lot you can do in a web browser these days: you can send email, read news, watch videos, play games, and even make video calls. But a few years ago there were some things that were kind of tough to do in a web browser, so Google introduced support for Chrome Packaged Apps (which were later just called Chrome apps), allowing apps that run in a browser to behave more like native apps… even if they were created using tools like HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS.
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign earlier this year, smartwatch maker Pebble is getting ready to ship the Pebble 2 smartwatch.
The company is taking pre-orders at its website and plans to begin shipping watches to new customers and those that…
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign earlier this year, smartwatch maker Pebble is getting ready to ship the Pebble 2 smartwatch.
The company is taking pre-orders at its website and plans to begin shipping watches to new customers and those that backed the crowdfunding campaign next month.
Ahead of that launch date, the Pebble 2 passed through the FCC website this week.
The Pebble 2 has a slightly updated design with a Gorilla Glass screen, a microphone, and a built-in heart rate monitor.
Continue reading Pebble 2 smartwatch hits FCC ahead of Sept ship date at Liliputing.
Most existing smartphones use Lithium Ion batteries… which are based on battery technology that hasn’t really changed much in recent years. So while phone makers try to improve battery life by choosing energy efficient components, the best way to make a phone last longer is to use a bigger battery.
But starting in 2017, there may be another way. That’s when SolidEnergy plans to begin shipping a new type of battery that offers twice the energy-density of a typical Lithium Ion battery.
Most existing smartphones use Lithium Ion batteries… which are based on battery technology that hasn’t really changed much in recent years. So while phone makers try to improve battery life by choosing energy efficient components, the best way to make a phone last longer is to use a bigger battery.
But starting in 2017, there may be another way. That’s when SolidEnergy plans to begin shipping a new type of battery that offers twice the energy-density of a typical Lithium Ion battery.
UE makes some of the best bang-for-your-buck Bluetooth speakers… but they’re not always the cheapest options. Today Best Buy is offering deep discounts on two models as part of the retailer’s 50th anniversary, 50-hour sale.
This weekend you can pick up a UE Roll Bluetooth speaker for $50 or a refurbished Megaboom for $150. Or if you just want something cheap but functional, Best Buy’s house-brand Insignia speaker is just $10.
And if you’re looking for some music to listen to on your shiny new (or refurbished) speaker, Google is offering a few good albums for $0.99 each.
Continue reading Deals of the Day (8-19-2016) at Liliputing.
UE makes some of the best bang-for-your-buck Bluetooth speakers… but they’re not always the cheapest options. Today Best Buy is offering deep discounts on two models as part of the retailer’s 50th anniversary, 50-hour sale.
This weekend you can pick up a UE Roll Bluetooth speaker for $50 or a refurbished Megaboom for $150. Or if you just want something cheap but functional, Best Buy’s house-brand Insignia speaker is just $10.
And if you’re looking for some music to listen to on your shiny new (or refurbished) speaker, Google is offering a few good albums for $0.99 each.
Continue reading Deals of the Day (8-19-2016) at Liliputing.
The Superbook is a device that looks like a laptop, but which is really more of a portable screen, keyboard, and battery for your smartphone. Plug a phone into the Superbook and you can run your Android apps on a bigger display with a desktop-style use…
The Superbook is a device that looks like a laptop, but which is really more of a portable screen, keyboard, and battery for your smartphone. Plug a phone into the Superbook and you can run your Android apps on a bigger display with a desktop-style user interface complete with a taskbar and multi-window support.
Andromium launched a Kickstarter campaign in July, hoping to raise $50,000 to take the Superbook from concept to a real product that could be shipped to customers.
Now that Huawei’s Honor 8 smartphone is launching around the globe, it’s getting pretty good review for its distinctive design, decent specs, and strong performance… especially when you consider that the phone has a starting price of $400.
But we’ve seen phones with mid-range specs and high-end features in the past… and sometimes they don’t live up to their original promise because device makers fail to deliver timely software updates.
Huawei is promising to take a proactive approach though: the company says it’ll release software updates for the phone for at least 2 years, with new features rolling out at least every 3 months for the first year that the phone’s available.
Now that Huawei’s Honor 8 smartphone is launching around the globe, it’s getting pretty good review for its distinctive design, decent specs, and strong performance… especially when you consider that the phone has a starting price of $400.
But we’ve seen phones with mid-range specs and high-end features in the past… and sometimes they don’t live up to their original promise because device makers fail to deliver timely software updates.
Huawei is promising to take a proactive approach though: the company says it’ll release software updates for the phone for at least 2 years, with new features rolling out at least every 3 months for the first year that the phone’s available.
Game development platform Unity has announced a partnership with Facebook, allowing game makers to use Unity’s tools to publish games to Facebook.
That means developers can use the same tools to create games for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Facebook’s web-based social network. But earlier this year the company launched a beta version of a Windows desktop app called Facebook Games Arcade, and TechCrunch reports the goal is to expand the desktop app to bring Facebook gaming to additional operating systems.
Game development platform Unity has announced a partnership with Facebook, allowing game makers to use Unity’s tools to publish games to Facebook.
That means developers can use the same tools to create games for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Facebook’s web-based social network. But earlier this year the company launched a beta version of a Windows desktop app called Facebook Games Arcade, and TechCrunch reports the goal is to expand the desktop app to bring Facebook gaming to additional operating systems.
Google Android 7.0 Nougat is coming… and it may be coming as soon as Monday. Google has been offering developer preview versions of Android N since March, unveiled the name of the OS in June, and let us know that the operating system would officially launch this summer.
Now multiple sources are indicating that launch day is Monday, August 22nd.
Canadian wireless carrier Telus has issued a new version of its software update schedule, which says that the Google Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X smartphones will receive an update to “Android N” on August 22nd.
Continue reading Signs point to Android 7.0 launching August 22nd at Liliputing.
Google Android 7.0 Nougat is coming… and it may be coming as soon as Monday. Google has been offering developer preview versions of Android N since March, unveiled the name of the OS in June, and let us know that the operating system would officially launch this summer.
Now multiple sources are indicating that launch day is Monday, August 22nd.
Canadian wireless carrier Telus has issued a new version of its software update schedule, which says that the Google Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X smartphones will receive an update to “Android N” on August 22nd.
Continue reading Signs point to Android 7.0 launching August 22nd at Liliputing.
Intel’s new Project Alloy may be a platform for a wireless virtual reality headset that packs all of the computer hardware into the headset itself. But good luck fitting everything you need for a truly high-end 3D gaming experience into a space that small.
Still, a number of companies have been developing systems designed to let you experience virtual worlds without tripping over cables running from your headset to a PC. HP, Zotac, MSI, and Dell have developed VR-ready PC-in-a-backpack systems that you can wear.
Continue reading Intel packs a VR-ready PC into a vest… that you wear… like a vest at Liliputing.
Intel’s new Project Alloy may be a platform for a wireless virtual reality headset that packs all of the computer hardware into the headset itself. But good luck fitting everything you need for a truly high-end 3D gaming experience into a space that small.
Still, a number of companies have been developing systems designed to let you experience virtual worlds without tripping over cables running from your headset to a PC. HP, Zotac, MSI, and Dell have developed VR-ready PC-in-a-backpack systems that you can wear.
Continue reading Intel packs a VR-ready PC into a vest… that you wear… like a vest at Liliputing.
The Nextbit Robin is an unusual smartphone from a company that wants you to use cloud storage for not only music, videos, and other data… but also for apps that you may not be using at the moment. But even if you’re not a fan of the phone’s software, there’s a lot to like about the hardware.
Nextbit’s first phone has an unusual (though not unattractive) design and under the hood it has hardware that’s very similar to what you’d get from a Google Nexus 5X, including a 5.2 inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor.
Continue reading Deals of the Day (8-18-2016) at Liliputing.
The Nextbit Robin is an unusual smartphone from a company that wants you to use cloud storage for not only music, videos, and other data… but also for apps that you may not be using at the moment. But even if you’re not a fan of the phone’s software, there’s a lot to like about the hardware.
Nextbit’s first phone has an unusual (though not unattractive) design and under the hood it has hardware that’s very similar to what you’d get from a Google Nexus 5X, including a 5.2 inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor.
Continue reading Deals of the Day (8-18-2016) at Liliputing.