Owners can direct Siri to perform a number of specific tasks while they keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Using Eyes Free mode, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further and helps minimize distractions by keeping an iOS device's screen from lighting up.
Additional functionality includes:
- Sending text messages and e-mails
- Reading incoming text messages and emails
- Setting up calendar entries, reminders, and alarms
- Checking the weather
- Turn-by-turn voice navigation (when the audio system is set to Bluetooth
The patent details a camera that is able to be configured to operate in a lower-resolution mode that includes refocusing capability in addition to a high-resolution non-refocusable mode, with the camera's body containing an image mode adaptor to switch between the two.
Also cited in the patent is the plenoptic imaging system used in the Lytro light-field camera, which Apple draws inspiration from but points out that its own microlens array can produce higher-quality images because of a higher spatial resolution. Apple also cites the Lytro's camera system as prior art in the patent.
Microlens (440) inserted into light path for lower-resolution refocusable images
A digital camera system configurable to operate in a low-resolution refocusable mode and a high-resolution non-refocusable mode comprising: a camera body; an image sensor mounted in the camera body having a plurality of sensor pixels for capturing a digital image;
An imaging lens for forming an image -- For more information read the original article here.
A third Touch ID-related patent application filed by Apple also quietly surfaced last week (via Unwired View) but has flown under the radar until now because it appears to have published on the World Intellectual Property Organization's database but not the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's database.
This third patent application is the most revealing yet with regard to Touch ID, showing how Apple has envisioned expanding the feature to incorporate trackpad functionalities, tracking movements of a user's finger or thumb over the sensor to navigate through user interfaces on the device's screen. In one example, Apple shows how a user moving his or her finger right to left across the Touch ID home button could pan a map, with a subsequent upward movement across the home button triggering activation of a multitasking interface.
Panning a map -- For more information read the original article here.
Kansas City residents are getting a second change to sign up for Google Fiber, says Google. The efforts to slowly build out a nationwide, high-speed network where Google acts as an Internet Service provider first began in Kansas City, Mo. around two years ago, before arriving in other markets, like Austin, Texas and Provo, Utah, for example. Now those who live in Google Fiber's initial test market will be able to sign up if they missed their chance the first time around, or have more recently moved into one of the supported neighborhoods.
Starting today through December 22, those living in one of the 180 “fiberhoods” (neighborhoods where Google Fiber is available) in either Kansas City, Kan. or Central Kansas City, Mo. can head over to this website and choose from one of the three packages Google Fiber offers. One of these is the “free internet” package (up to 5 Mbps download/1 Mbps up), which technically costs $25/month in construction fees for the first year, or a one-time payment of $300. There's also the Gigabit Internet package for $70/month or the Gigabit Internet + TV package for $120/month. All plans -- For more information read the original article here.
Tumblr has just updated its iOS 7 app with a completely redesigned interface. The most significant change is that the activity view is now in its own tab so it's that much easier to keep up with who reblogged, liked or commented on your posts. Additionally, posting a new entry is much more streamlined with a fast reblog button, larger content type icons and an all-new image uploader that presents your photos and videos in a friendlier grid view.
Source: App Store
-- For more information read the original article here.
Ubuntu's touch-based (read: mobile) OS is still finding its footing with users (and a hardware home to call its own), but the outfit's paving the way for developers to get onboard. An experimental emulator for the mobile OS has just been released that apes much of the feel, and occasionally the look, of Android's own emulator for desktop. As it's currently a work-in-progress, not all of the functionality is available at the outset. ADB, SSH access and serial console are all turned 'on' by default, but you'll need to fuss with the emulator to enable things like Powerd and "a few other services." There are also some non-responsive UI bits to deal with, since the provided keyboard layout is somewhat unworkable, but no doubt future releases will see these rough edges ironed out. That said, it's a good way for devs and non-devs alike to glimpse the Ubuntu experience on mobile.
Filed under: Software
Source: OMG! Ubuntu!, Ubuntu
-- For more information read the original article here.Google has a new Chrome Experiment out in the wild — or the wilds, if you prefer. The latest is a showcase for the newest web technologies packed into Chrome for mobile devices, although it works on traditional computers as well. And what better or richer world to explore on your mobile device is there then J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth?
Point your Chrome mobile browser to middle-earth.thehobbit.com to explore the Trollshaw Forrest, Rivendell and Dol Guldur with additional locations currently locked. Here's a glimpse of what to expect:
The experiment is comprised of an interactive map of Middle Earth and Google thinks you might be surprised by how it was created:
“It may not feel like it, but this cinematic part of the experience was built with just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. North Kingdom used the Touch Events API to support multi-touch pinch-to-zoom and the Full Screen API to allow users to hide the URL address bar. It looks natural on any screen size thanks to media queries and feels low-latency because of hardware-accelerated CSS Transitions.”
Similar to prior Chrome Experiments, the idea here is to show what can be done through web technologies; -- For more information read the original article here.
It's not the Google payments card that has long been planned, but Google is set to announce today that it is releasing a Google Wallet debit card that allows people to pay at stores that accept Mastercard using their Google Wallet balance. Cardholders will also be able to withdraw cash from their Wallet account using ATMs.
With the card, Google isn't going for mass adoption; instead, the card is expected to mainly appeal to a subset of Google Wallet users who have had money transferred to them from another Google Wallet user and don't want to wait a couple of days for the money to appear in their bank account. Once money lands in someone's Google Wallet account, it will connect with the debit card almost instantly.
To some people, that instant access to money will now make Google Wallet's peer-to-peer payments service more attractive than Square Cash, which takes one or two days to deposit funds.
In a blog post, Google said there are no monthly or annual fees associated with the card.
Google has come very close to launching a plastic card in the -- For more information read the original article here.
Infinit is a new application for Mac OS that allows free unlimited file transfers that the company claims are faster than any existing solution. For now, transfers are limited to Macs running the Infinit application.
To get started, just create a username and password and enjoy the many nice features. One standout option handles sleeping machines quite well. If you are on a laptop that goes to sleep or has its lid closed, the transfer pauses until an internet connection is re-established.
File transfers in general are simple. Drag a file of any kind to the menu bar, and type in an email address. The person on the other end clicks "accept" and the transfer starts, with the file delivered to their downloads folder. The app can send receipts for completed transfers, and you can see a history of what you've sent. Files are encrypted during the transfer. Transfers seemed quite fast in my testing, faster than Google Drive and Dropbox.
A couple of caveats. You'll have to type in your recipient's email. The app doesn't see your address book and won't auto-complete. That feature is coming, but for now you have to do a little extra work. Also, the recipient has -- For more information read the original article here.