Travel app
Ready for a change of pace, all you Facebook users? A new app, Intimate-City, is designed to create a social media platform that allows travelers and vacationers to stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues through personalized postcards (containing up to 200 photos) and videos, which they may share publicly or send to selected recipients. The app also provides a forum for travelers looking to share experiences and reviews at home and abroad. Users have a personalized page, which holds their individual activity feed, as well as their collection of postcards and stamps acquired from fellow users or the app’s internal image pool.
Man’s best friend?
Not always. When pets damage or break the household computer or other electronic devices, they’re likely to wind up in the doghouse. And, as pets become increasingly integrated into people’s lives, this scenario is becoming more and more common. A recent survey shows that 28 million pet owners have had a pet damage an electronic device – usually by destroying the power cord. Smartphones account for almost 30 percent of damaged devices; pets commonly knock phones off a table or, worse, vomit or urinate on them. Based on the survey findings, SquareTrade, which offers protective services for consumer electronics, has identified the following:
- Male dogs are 86 percent more likely than female dogs to damage devices.
- About 19 percent of pet owners believe their pet damaged the device because it was angry with them.
- About 25 percent of pet owners reported using the electronic item at the time their pet damaged it.
- Pets less than one year old are three times as likely to damage a device than older pets.
The survey also found that Americans are becoming more and more comfortable with allowing their pets to use modern, electronic conveniences:
- About 17 percent of pet owners have made a social media account for their pet.
- About 25 percent of the above pets is a friend or follower of other pets on social media.
- 18 percent have communicated with another pet over Skype®, FaceTime®, or other online video chatting software.
SquareTrade recommends pet owners take the following steps to protect their devices:
1. Give pets the attention, training and exercise they need so they have less interest in gadgets.
2. Leave devices high up and out of reach of pets.
3. Conceal power cords under flooring or behind furniture.
4. Keep devices away from liquids.
5. Always use a protective case.
Fitness earpiece
Global research and development company Sensogram Technologies recently introduced SensoTRACK™, a device that combines data collection and analytics in an ear-worn device designed for individual wellness, fitness and health. Its aural positioning is said to increase accuracy by reducing the motion-induced artifacts often associated with comparable wrist-worn or pendant-like devices. According to the company, integrated optical, thermal, mechanical and proximity biosensors in the device can capture more precise data from branches of the ear’s temporal artery. Bluetooth 4.0 transmits SensoTRACK’s encrypted digital data to mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets or PDAs. Device parameters include blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, body temperature, posture, fall detection, step count, distance, speed/pace, location, altitude, calories burned and activity level, among others.
Locating lost devices
MyAssetTag.com recently introduced TechTagger, a low-tech solution for retrieving missing high-tech gadgets. TechTagger is designed to help owners reclaim their lost or stolen devices – including those that cannot be located using apps or GPS – through the use of asset tags – a small sticker with a unique barcode. Users apply an asset tag to their device and register the tag online. When someone finds a lost gadget – and assuming one can depend on the kindness of strangers – the TechTagger tag directs him or her to www.myassettag.com/techtagger. The website prompts the individual to type in the TechTagger code and sends an email to the owner. The two parties can then communicate through a messaging system similar to Craigslist and determine a safe, convenient way to return the gadget.
Tilt, no touch
INNOVENTIONS, Inc., an engineer of motion-enhanced smartphone display technology, has released its free RotoView Photo app, providing Android users a new way to scroll large images by tilting the phone with just one hand. The goal is to eliminate the need for repeated touch screen gestures that can block the user’s field of view and leave fingerprint smudges and dirt on the screen.
Safety in seconds
MobileTREC recently announced its partnership with InfoSonics Corporation to offer a smartphone pre-equipped with verykool®, MobileTREC’s patented mobile safety platform and reportedly the first fully-integrated mobile safety solution that provides users with a family locator service, a GPS sex offender locator, a Threat Level index, and E911 call and text routing, with delivery of vital medical information to 911. By pressing the help button on their phone, users can alert family, friends, and neighbors via text and/or email. In addition, the system connects users to MobileTREC’s 24/7 Emergency Response Center (ECR). If needed, MobileTREC’s ERC can connect users to the nearest 911 operator. MobileTREC’s proprietary platform provides 911 with the user’s precise location, along with his or her medical and identification information. Other features include Community Intelligence, which indicates danger zones and safe zones before people enter them, and personalized safety network alerts for friends and family. And, when calling for help isn’t an option, MobileTREC provides users with text-to-911 routing.
Retractable headphones
No one appreciates when cellphone headphones wind up a tangled mess. In response, TurtleCell has launched a protective case for the iPhone 5 and 5s, with retractable headphones. In-ear headphones are built into the case and reportedly can be extended to any length. When finished, users can retract the headphones by pressing a button on the side of the case. The case is said to add only 7mm of added thickness. The headphones come standard with a microphone and full button control for safe, hands-free calling. Utilizing the phone’s normal functionality is seamless with the snap of a switch, which allows users to engage or disengage the headphones. Cases are available for pre-order at TurtleCell.com, with delivery scheduled for October.
A recent survey shows that 28 million pet owners have had a pet damage an electronic device – usually by destroying the power cord.
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