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Google Glass and moving violations: There will be growing pains

Google Glass and moving violations: There will be growing pains

Ticket

Making the rounds this overnight is a Google+ post from oneCecilia Abadie, who received a ticket for wearing Google Glass while driving. She puts it thusly:

A cop just stopped me and gave me a ticket for wearing Google Glass while driving!The exact line says: Driving with Monitor visible to Driver (Google Glass).

That's not actually why Abadie was stopped, it appears unless Google Glass caused her to break the speed limit. And folks are trying to argue that Glass falls under the exemptions for that particular California law anyway.

I think they're wrong, but I also think the discussion needs to be had.

Anyhoo, get used to seeing more stories like this. As with any new technology, there will be growing pains. We adapt as societies when new technologies become commonplace. And still very much in the early stages of wearables. And it's worth noting that Google Glass is very muchnot a consumer product yet.


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Google Play TV shows now available in Japan

Google Play TV shows now available in Japan

Android Central

TV shows from Google expands to only the third global location with Japanese availability

The slow, slow rollout of Google Play TV Shows continues, with the addition of Japan as just the third country in which the content is available. Having been a U.S. exclusive for so long, British customers were able to buy TV Shows as of August this year, and now the goodness expands over to Japan. Shows can be watched on the web, or via the Play Movies and TV app on your Android device.

Beyond the kind of content we'd expect to see in the west, the Japanese Play Store also seems to be offering a host of local content as well. If you're over in Japan, hit up the Play Store now and take a look.

via Android Police


Via: Google Play TV shows now available in Japan

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Kids hitting the UK on November 1

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Kids hitting the UK on November 1

Android Central

Samsung's kid-focused tablet to go head-to-head with the iPad Air this Friday

OK, so maybe we're kidding around with the iPad Air thing, but there is another tablet going on sale this Friday, and it's from Samsung. Following up on a U.S. launch announcement, the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids will officially go on sale in the UK beginning on November 1.

Essentially, this is a 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3 wrapped up in an extremely bright, more kid-friendly exterior. Beyond the standard Samsung Touchwiz interface, there's an option to switch into a second, more child oriented interface as well. Sales begin online on November 1, and will be available in selected stores from November 8. No confirmed pricing from Samsung at this point, though one retailer already has the tablet listed for 200. Great Christmas gift, perhaps? The full press release can be found after the break.

UK LAUNCH DATE ANNOUNCED FOR GALAXY TAB 3 KIDS
Samsungs new tablet for children available to buy online from 1st November


London, UK October 30th, 2013 Following the recent launch announcement, Samsung has today announced that the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids, a tablet built specifically for children, will be available to buy online in the UK from 1st November and in store from 8th November.

With a 1.2GHz dual processor and 1GB RAM, the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids has the performance capabilities to keep kids entertained for hours. Featuring Samsungs brand new Kids Store, a range of apps will be available to download in addition to pre-loaded content including educational, games, entertainment and e-book apps.

Whilst designed to appeal to kids, the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids also boasts functions that make it a great device for parents, including a unique time management feature that can be used to monitor use by locking the tablet once the designated time is up. In addition, Samsungs Application Manager allows parents to select apps that their kids can access.

Simon Stanford, Vice President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland said: Were seeing technology become ever more popular with children, and wanted to create a tablet that provides kids with interactive and educational content with the added benefit of giving parents control over their childrens tab use. Parents played a huge part in the design process, and as a result the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids is a unique product that is both a fun and exciting piece of technology for kids to use and a device that parents can trust.

The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids will be available in the UK from Toys R Us, Argos, Shop Direct, Dixons, JLP, Asda and the Samsung Experience store from 8th November.


Via: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Kids hitting the UK on November 1

JK Shin: 5 million Galaxy Note 3s shipped in first month

JK Shin: 5 million Galaxy Note 3s shipped in first month

JK Shin Galaxy Note 3

Note 3 reaches 5 million milestone in half the time of its predecessor

A few days ago news broke of the Galaxy S4 sales passing the 40 million mark, and now we're seeing the first indication of how quickly Samsung is getting Galaxy Note 3 devices out into stores. According to reports from Korean outlet Hanooki, Samsung CEO JK Shin revealed at a recent media event that his company had shipped 5 million Galaxy Note 3s during the device's first month of availability.

To put that in perspective, the company moved 3 million Galaxy Note 2s in that device's first month, a number which had jumped to 5 million by the end of the second month. This time around the Note 3 saw a smoother global rollout than its predecessor, with the crucial U.S. market being among the first to launch the oversized handset. This, together with Samsung's ramped-up marketing of the device, likely contributed to the Note 3 reaching its five-millionth shipment so quickly.

For more on the Galaxy Note 3, check out our full review.

Source: Hanooki (Korean); via: SamMobile


Via: JK Shin: 5 million Galaxy Note 3s shipped in first month

New EE price plans go live today

New EE price plans go live today

EE

A quick heads-up for anyone in the UK thinking of signing up with EE the carrier's wide range of new contract and Pay As You Go plans are now live. Announced a couple of weeks back, EE's new range of services lets customers get hold of 4G LTE data without signing a monthly contract, while also giving mobile broadband subscribers the option of higher data allowances. EE's new tiered approach to data speeds means there are also cheaper contract deals available for those who don't need more than 30Mbps.

EE's new PAYG and contract plans are fairly complex, so for a full rundown of what's new, check out our original report, linked below.

More: New EE 4G LTE plan details

Source: EE


Via: New EE price plans go live today

Lenovo bringing a pair of multimode Yoga tablets

Lenovo bringing a pair of multimode Yoga tablets

YogaPad

8- and 10-inch Yoga tablets debut Oct 30 for $249 and $299

Lenovo and Ashton Kutcherheld a small event this evening to present their two new tablets to the world. The New Yoga tablets will come in both an 8 and 10-inch flavor, and feature what Lenovo calls a "Better Way" by including a hinged stand to present the screen at different angles for different things.

The key is a rounded edge, much like Lenovo's other products in the Yoga line, which allows the tablet to stay where you put it while using the stand. There are three "modes" which include hold mode designed for holding it in your hands, tilt mode for those times when you want it to lay back at quite the angle, and a stand mode for when you want or need the Yoga to stand vertically.

The hinge also has a second function extra room for a battery. Lenovo (and new "employee" Ashton) promise 18-hours of use with one charge. There's even enough reserve to charge your phone from the Yoga.

The Yoga will run on a quad-core 1.2GHz MTK processor, feature 1GB of RAM with 16GB of storage and a microSD card slot under a 1280 x 800 display. The software is a slightly tweaked version of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, and you'll find a 5MP camera around back and a 1.6MP camera up front for video calling.

The 8 model will be available at lenovo.com and Best Buy stores starting October 30, priced at $249. The 10-inch model, priced at $299, will also be at lenovo.com and Best by stores, and will also be available at other major retailers like Fry's and Newegg.com. Hit the break for the full press release and some press images.

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Lenovo Unveils Its First Multimode Yoga Tablet

Debuts three innovative modes and up to 18 hours of battery life

LOS ANGELES October 29, 2013: Multimode computing leader Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY)today debuted its first multimode Yoga Tablet at a livestream launch event with Ashton Kutcher. Knownfor pioneering innovative multimode devices like the Yoga convertible laptop, Lenovo now brings people a new way to get the most out of their tablet experience.

The game-changing Yoga Tablet features three unique modes, giving consumers a better way to use atablet. With hold, tilt and stand modes, the tablet adapts to the way people use it instead of forcing peopleto adapt to the technology. Additionally the Yoga Tablet has an amazing up to 18 hours of battery life to truly fit users ultra mobile lifestyles.

Watching and discovering that people frequently use tablets in three main ways allowed us to break themold on the current sea of sameness designs, giving them a better way to read, browse, watch andinteract with content, said Liu Jun, senior vice president and president, Lenovo Business Group, Lenovo.


As consumers continue to demand innovative multimode designs were thrilled to have Ashton Kutcher on board with us to help further develop the immersive and complementary hardware and rich content experience.

Yoga Tablet: Three Modes And Longer Battery Life Give Tablets A Better Way

One size does not fit all, especially when it comes to tablets. Lenovo designers and engineers identifiedthree challenges tablet users face: fatigue when holding and using the tablet; no self-supportingmechanism when laid on a flat surface; and an inadequate viewing angle when set on a table. Thesescenarios inspired Lenovo to break the mold on the sea of sameness design and to create YogaTablets unique modes.

With its exclusive cylindrical handle, hold mode is designed to fit an individuals hand, so the Yoga Tabletis easier to hold and offers more control over the device whereas other tablets require two hands. Holdmode makes reading, checking social media and browsing the web easy and parallels how people holdmagazines when reading.

To convert the Yoga Tablet into stand mode, simply rotate the side cylinder 90 so that the tablet standdeploys, allowing the tablet to stand by itself on a desk or table. Users can change the viewing angle to fit whats comfortable for them from 110 to 135. Stand mode makes it easy for users to comfortably watchmovies, place video calls and interact with the ten-finger touchscreen without having to rely on add-onaccessories.

Users can lay the Yoga Tablet down in tilt mode to type directly on the tablet, play games and just surf theInternet with a better viewing angle. To further enhance the rich content and multimode tablet experience,users can enable the tablets auto-detection software that automatically brings up frequently used apps inhold and stand modes.

The Yoga Tablets multimode design not only provides a better usability experience, it offers dramaticallylonger battery life of up to 18 hours, which is significantly more than the amount of typical tablets. Itscylindrical handle packs in powerful, dual batteries and unlike most tablets, it uses batteries typicallyfound in laptops. The Yoga Tablet can even charge other devices such as smartphones via its USB-on-the-go.

The 10 inch and 8 inch models run on MT8125 Quad Core processors with 16 GB capacity andfeature Android 4.2. Also equipped with Dolby audio, Yoga Tablets front-facing speakers create apowerful surround sound experience through the device speakers and with headphones.

Extremely mobile, both models are featherweights weighing in at 1.34 lbs. for the 10-in model and 0.88lbs. for the 8-in model. They feature high definition 1280 x 800 displays, a 5 MP auto focus rear cameraplus an additional front camera, a micro SD expansion slot, allowing up to 64 GB of total storage, WiFiand a micro USB connection and Dolby DS1 for rich audio. Lenovo offers an optional Bluetooth keyboardfor the 10-in model that functions as a cover and even wakes up the tablet when its removed and putsthe tablet to sleep when its attached. Lenovo also offers a portfolio of services solutions for the YogaTablet including warranty extensions, upgrades and premium technical support.

Pricing and Availability

MSRP is $249 and $299, for the 8-in and 10-in, respectively. Starting on Oct. 30, the 8-in model will beavailable exclusively at Best Buy stores and www.lenovo.com while the 10-in model will be available viamajor retailers including Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Frys, Newegg.com and www.lenovo.com. The Lenovo Yoga 10 Bluetooth Keyboard Cover is $69 and will be available beginning Oct. 30 via majorretailers and www.lenovo.com.

For the latest Lenovo news, subscribe to Lenovo RSS feeds or follow Lenovo on Twitter and Facebook.Also follow news about the Yoga Tablet at betterway. The press kit is available at:http://news.lenovo.com/betterway.


Via: Lenovo bringing a pair of multimode Yoga tablets

Ashton Kutcher is Lenovo's latest 'product engineer'

Ashton Kutcher is Lenovo's latest 'product engineer'

Ashton Kutcher

Much in the same way that I'm a famous Hollywood actor, I'm sure.

Anyway, this is all in conjunction with those new Lenovo tabletswhich look far more interesting than another celebrity "executive."

Here's how Lenovo put it:

In his new role as a Lenovo product engineer,Kutcherwill work with the companys engineering teams around the world to develop and market the Yoga line of tablets by providing input and decision-making into design, specifications, software and usage scenarios.

Regardless, it's a fine excuse for us to run a nice little gallery of ol' @aplusk.

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Via: Ashton Kutcher is Lenovo's latest 'product engineer'