Smartphone Controlled Light-up Ball, Sphero, is Ready to Roll
We first saw Sphero, the smartphone-controlled robotic ball, at last year’s CES–but it was just a prototype then. now it’s a product that retails for $129 and has five available free apps with more–both free and paid–apps in the works.
Sphero isn’t terribly useful or productive. It’s about the size of a baseball and it has a multi-color light inside it. You can control it using apps on your iOS or Android device–you can make it roll around, speed up, slow down, and change color. You can also play games with it, such as “golf,” or “driving,” using the golf and driving apps. There are a couple of other games, including a “draw and drive” game that lets you draw a path for the Sphero to follow.
So while it’s not very useful, it is kind of fun to play around with. getting started with Sphero is easy–just calibrate the ball by placing two fingers on your smartphone and turning them until you see the blue light on the Sphero turn and face you. After the ball is calibrated, you’ll be able to control it accurately (though you may need to recalibrate the ball if you turn around. then you can move a virtual joystick on your smartphone screen and the ball will move in that direction.
According to a Sphero representative, Sphero has a range of about 50 – 60 feet in an open area (it uses Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone).
One plus is Sphero is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about your dog slobbering over it or accidentally rolling it into the pool.
Though Sphero may not be super-productive, it’s a fun high-tech toy for playing with your dog (or cat) , and there are even apps that help you capture the fun moments. for example, a Sphero cam app lets you record video from your smartphone while you also play with the ball, so you can post you funny cat videos online.
For more blogs, stories, photos, and video from the nation’s largest consumer electronics show, check outPCWorld’s complete coverage of CES 2012.
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Smartphone Controlled Light-up Ball, Sphero, is Ready to Roll
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Categories: Technology Tags: drive game, fingers, free apps, ios, play games, prototype
Home Inspection Software for the Latest Devices
It is an exciting time in the home inspection industry with technology now playing such an important role. Home inspection software is utilizing the very latest in technology and home inspectors are reaping the benefits. Below is a list of some of the key benefits of using a smartphone or tablet pc in the field for creating home inspection reports.
An Abundance of Choices
Home inspectors are now able to use their home inspection software on the latest smartphones and tablets that run on iOS and Android operating systems. this gives them a huge selection of hardware to choose from for field use. this is important because they can find something that truly works well for them and fits their inspection style. Inspectors that want something small that fits in their hand can use their software on their smartphone, while inspectors who prefer something a little larger can use their software on a tablet.
These devices are designed to be easy to use and home inspection software can be built to take advantage of their unique features. for example, an inspector is able to fill out information with the tap of a finger. They can also move from screen to screen with a simple swipe of their finger. Filling out information for an inspection and creating a fantastic looking report has never been easier.
A few home inspection software programs that work on new smartphones and tablets use a cloud to transfer files back and forth. this is a really great feature as it eliminates the need for cords and wires when attempting to sync inspection files between your device and a desktop. a cloud is a safe and convenient place where home inspectors can store inspections, libraries, and even backup files. It can be accessed by any computer with an internet connection and that has their software program installed.
Some home inspection software programs even take advantage of the exceptional cameras that now come standard on most smartphones and tablets. many of the new, higher end smartphones come with an 8 MP camera. Using their home inspection software on a smartphone with a quality camera, inspectors no longer have to bring a separate digital camera with them. the ability to take a picture with their smartphone and then add that picture directly into the report will be a huge timesaver for home inspectors. Using a single device, a home inspector can complete an inspection in the field, with great looking pictures included. Tablets trail smartphones when it comes to cameras and picture quality, but many of the newer ones are being equipped with a 5 MP camera.
Although cameras have improved dramatically with these devices, many still lack when it comes to the flash. some devices do not have a flash while others contain a weak flash. It will be up to the inspector to decide if the camera on their smartphone or tablet is sufficient enough for them to use for their home inspections.
Another benefit to using a smartphone or tablet is the battery life that comes with many of these devices. Smartphones typically can last at least a whole day with moderate use, while tablets can last days with moderate use and even weeks with light use and Wi-Fi turned off. these are much better than most laptops and netbooks which typically get 4-5 hours out of a single charge. however, the battery life between devices varies greatly, so it is important to check the details of each device before committing to one.
Using a smartphone or tablet in the field is also extremely convenient because of their lightweight and how easy it is to carry them around. these devices are very portable, and are constantly getting smaller and weighing less as time goes on. Inspectors who haul a laptop around the property while doing their inspection will notice a major difference when walking around with a smartphone or tablet.
Home Inspection Software for the Latest Devices
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Categories: Technology Tags: android, ios, operating systems, smartphones, tablet pc
Android, Apple lead U.S. smartphone market, others play catch-up
The Android operating system's share of smartphone sales grew to 53% from January through October, up from 42% in 2010, and Apple's iOS share rose to 29%, up from 21% last year, research firm NPD Group said Tuesday.
Research in Motion, which makes the BlackBerry, continued to see its share of the smartphone market decline, plummeting to 10% in the first 10 months of this year. in 2010, it held one-fourth of the market.
Windows Mobile, Windows Phone 7, Symbian OS and Palm/webOS had tiny shares of the market, with each operating system capturing no more than 3%.
"the competitive landscape for smartphones, which has been reshaped by Apple and Google, has ultimately forced every major handset provider through a major transition," said Ross Rubin, executive director of Connected Intelligence at the NPD Group. "for many of them, 2012 will be a critical year in assessing how effective their responses have been."
Motorola is seeking to rebuild its share of the market, which was 36% five years ago but had fallen as low as 1% in the third quarter of 2009. After adopting Android, Motorola rose to 16% of the market in the fourth quarter last year but fell to 12% in the third quarter this year. But Rubin said Motorola is at least back in the game.
Another smartphone maker hoping to rebound next year is RIM. Rubin said few companies "have felt the impact of the shift to touch user interfaces and larger screen sizes as negatively," but noted that the company is beginning anew with a strong technical foundation and has already made incremental improvements this year with the release of its BlackBerry 7 operating system. in the second quarter of 2006, RIM held half of all smartphone sales, but by the third quarter this year, it had fallen to 8%.
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43% of U.S. mobile phone users own a smartphone, survey says
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BlackBerry losing its cool even among owners
Photo: an iPhone 4S. Apple's iOS share of smartphone sales grew to 29% from January through October. Credit: Robert Galbraith / Reuters
Android, Apple lead U.S. smartphone market, others play catch-up
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Categories: Technology Tags: intelligence, ios, Motorola, ross, smartphones, transition
The Smartphone Comparison Between Operating Systems: Which OS Is Best For You?
When you’re doing a smartphone comparison, there are almost an endless number of features to consider. However, one of the most important is the operating system. This is the “foundation” of the smartphone, it influences the way the phone works and the apps that you’ll ultimately be able to download. Here’s a guide to the various aspects of an operating system to consider.
Ease of Use
The first thing you’re going to notice about any smartphone operating system is the user interface, and how easy it is to get the phone to do what you need it to. most smartphones are pretty easy to use, and don’t require any sort of manual to get to grips with, but some are simpler than others.
As far as ease of use goes, Apple with its iOS is considered to be the best. Everything works smoothly, and it’s easy to find your way around. Windows 7 is also a very simple to use operating system. Android, on the other hand, isn’t quite as easy to figure out, but this does come with the benefit that it can be customized a lot more by the user.
Apps
Next, the operating system you choose will determine the apps available for you to use. in your smartphone comparison, try to take some time to have a look at the various app stores out there. If you have any specific apps you want, then check the stores to see they have them. Apple uses the App Store, and Android uses Android Market. These are the biggest two app stores currently available.
Customization
As mentioned earlier, Android allows for a lot of user customization. This is perfect for more advanced users, or those who want a phone with the potential to be tweaked. However, many people just prefer to buy a phone that works as it should out of the box, without learning too much. If this is the case then Apple iOS could be for you.
The Best OS for Business
It also makes a difference whether you’re using the phone for personal use or for business. Many businesses tend towards Blackberry or Windows, for a number of reasons. in the latter case specifically, this OS will work very well with Windows programs that may already be used as part of the business. Apple iOS and Android are marketed more towards casual users, though you can still download and install business apps on those if you need to.
So which Should you Pick?
Who wins the smartphone comparison between operating systems? It’s not as clear-cut as you might hope. It really does depend on what you want to use your phone for, what apps you’re interested in, how much you want to customize the phone and so on. Apple is great as a simple option, Windows is good if you want integration with Windows applications, and Android is perfect for customization.
But there’s a third aspect to think about, and that is what carriers have good reception where you live. This will further narrow down your choices, so it’s really the best place to start in your smartphone comparison.
The Smartphone Comparison Between Operating Systems: Which OS Is Best For You?
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Categories: Technology Tags: ios, user interface
The Apple iPhone 4S – Has Apple Delivered?
In the lead up to Apple’s announcement of the new iPhone 4S, rumours were coming in thick and fast, proving that it was and continues to be one of the most anticipated products of the year.
Tim Cooke announced the iPhone 4S on the 4th October 2011, giving us an understanding as to what the iPhone 4S will bring to the table, showing big improvements to its predecessor.
Key features on the Apple iPhone 4S
- The A5 dual-core processor chip gives up to 2x faster performance and 7x faster graphics, vastly improving the speed and power of the iPhone.
- iOS 5 brings with it over 200 new software features, with an easy to use interface and amazing new features and technology.
- iCloud stores all of your content and pushes it wirelessly to all of your devices automatically, completely removing the need for wires.
- Siri the advanced voice controller lets you use your voice to send messages, set reminders and meetings, make phone calls and much more. Siri helps you organise your life by understanding what you say and knowing what you mean.
- The 8MP camera on the iPhone 4S is a big improvement from the iPhone 4 with 60 per cent more pixels. the 8MP camera also comes with all-new optics meaning you’ll see a dramatic difference in the light, resolution and detail of your images.
Despite all of these new and improved features, the iPhone 4S has however disappointed a few iFans due to the Apple iPhone 4S not receiving a body redesign and instead continuing with the form of the iPhone 4.
Regardless of this disappointment, the iPhone 4S is now proving more popular than ever. This comes partly down to the recent devastating news of the death of Steve Jobs, Apple’s former CEO. the World was shattered by this news which may have had an effect on iPhone 4S sales with the public honouring his death.
The Apple iPhone 4S is in fact living up to all of the hype surrounding the new smartphone with sales set to skyrocket, the demand for the iPhone 4S shows that it will most likely beat Apple’s previous iPhone records.
Pre-ordering for the iPhone 4S became available a few days after it was announced, on the 7th October. already the number of people signing up to pre-order the Apple iPhone 4S has spiked with numbers topping one million in a single day, beating the record for the iPhone 4 at 600,000.
The popularity surrounding the iPhone 4S also comes down to 3 main key features; the iOS 5 update, Siri voice command and the new 8MP camera. Apple continuously builds towards the future, with their innovative thinking and listening to what the public want, sales numbers for the iPhone 4S are increasing every day showing that Apple has certainly delivered with the iPhone 4S.
The Apple iPhone 4S – Has Apple Delivered?
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Categories: iPod, iPhone, Xbox 360 Tags: apple iphone, improvements, ios, iphone 4
