REPORT: The iWatch Might Cost $400 (AAPL)

REPORT: The iWatch Might Cost $400 (AAPL)

Dave Smith

Business Insider 

Apple’s various executives have discussed a
$400 price point for its wearable device, possibly called “iWatch” or “iBand,” according to Re/code.

Just one day prior to this report, John Paczkowski said Apple’s wearable would debut at the company’s Sept. 9 event but wouldn’t arrive until early 2015.

The new report says Apple hasn’t finalized the starting price for its wrist device, and may or may not announce that particular portion at its Sept. 9 event. Still, sources close to the company told Re/code “consumers should expect a range of prices for different models including lower priced versions.”

A $400 price point would certainly fall into the high-end range for current wearable devices. Fitness wristbands tend to be a bit cheaper, such as the Nike+ FuelBand SE ($99) and Jawbone’s Up24 ($149), while the first Android Wear devices from Samsung and LG cost $200 apiece.

That said, Apple wouldn’t be alone in the high-end wearable market. Timex has its own Ironman One GPS+ watch , which looks pretty impressive and doesn’t need to be tethered to a phone — that will retail at $399 around November.

Apple’s wearable device is expected to marry the looks of a luxury wristwatch wit the powerful sensors found in modern fitness wristbands, taking elements from the iPhone and iPad operating system and shrinking them down and reconfiguring them for the wrist. With iOS 8 coming this fall, the iWatch is expected to work with the company’s Health and Home platforms to track one's fitness levels and control elements of your home, respectively.

Considering Apple's next iPhone may introduce a mobile payments platform, it's possible the iWatch could work in tandem with that device to pay for goods with one's wrist. 

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Global warming is about to turn Sweden's highest mountain into its second highest

Global warming is about to turn Sweden's highest mountain into its second highest

Michael Silverberg

Quartz 

The snow-capped southern peak of Lapland’s Kebnekaise, in the Scandinavian Mountains, reaches 2,097.5 meters (6,881.6 feet) above sea level, making it the highest point in Sweden. But not for long.
The 40-meter-thick glacier on top of it has been shrinking, on average, a meter a year for the past two decades. In 1901, when the southern peak was first measured, its elevation was 2,121 meters.
By next year, scientists at the University of Stockholm predict, Kebnekaise’s northern peak—which is solid rock—will likely become the tallest spot in the country.

The culprit? Climate change. A recent research paper (pdf) that tracked 47 years of air-temperature records in Tarfala Valley, below the Kebnekaise glacier, found a significant warming trend. The period from 1995 to 2011 was 1.08°C warmer than the period from 1965 to 1994. Eight of the ten warmest years covered by the study occurred since 1999.

Gunhild Rosqvist, a professor at Stockholm University and the director of the Tarfala Research Center, says the shrinking of the mountain will be a blow to the tourist industry. Climbers in search of Sweden’s superlative peak won’t easily be able to ascend the northern point, as it’s largely inaccessible. “It’s going to be a real challenge for the people working in tourism up there to continue attracting people,” she told the Local. “That mountain climb is a crucial earner for the region. They’re going to need a major rethinking here, and I hope they come up with something good.”

The changes are already having an impact on the mountain’s habitat. “It’s been unusually warm up there this summer, the reindeer calves are dying because their mothers aren’t getting enough water to make milk, and the herders are struggling,” she said. “No one can remember it ever being this warm.”

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Happy Birthday: See Pics of Liam Payne's Major Hair Transformations

Liam Payne's 21st birthday seems like an international holiday that all his fans has been looking forward to for weeks now. It's such an exciting day for the One Direction singer, so in honor of his milestone birthday, we took a look back on 21 of his biggest hair moments ever. Even as a tiny tot, Liam had amazing hair, and has experimented with tons of stylish hair looks ever since!

Credit: Tumblr

Credit: Tumblr

Credit: Tumblr

Credit: Tumblr

 Credit: Tumblr

Credit: Tumblr

Credit:  Tumblr

Credit:  Tumblr

Credit: Tumblr

Credit: Tumblr

Credit: Getty

Credit: Getty

Credit: Instagram

Credit: Instagram

 Credit: Twitter

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Is Taylor Swift Still Friends With Selena Gomez Despite Justin Bieber Reunion

We heard that Taylor ended her feud with Selena because she broke up with Justin, but now that Jelena is back on, Taylor is staying friends with Selena — even though she doesn't approve of their reunion.

"Selena’s friends have given up trying to get her to break-up with Justin, even Taylor’s stopped giving her grief over it,” a source told Hollywood Life. “They think she’s crazy for taking him back, but they’re not going to punish her for it.”

Even though Taylor isn't Justin's biggest fan, she just wants to see Selena happy this time around.

“Taylor still can’t stand Justin, but she doesn’t want to lose Selena over it so she’s backing off. She wants Selena to be happy and Justin is making her really happy, so it’s hard to be mad at that!”

Apparently, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge also played an important role in their friend reunion! Taylor nominated Selena for the challenge, and when she completed it, they started talking more frequently.

“After Selena did the challenge Taylor was happy and reached out to Selena and they talked for a long time mostly through text. They were very friendly with each other and built up their friendliness with each other again. They are now in a really good place.”

Aw, that's so sweet! We're glad that they're on good terms, especially because they've been friends for such a long time.

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Apple working with NXP for pay-by-touch technology in new iPhone: FT

Apple working with NXP for pay-by-touch technology in new iPhone: FT

Reuters

Apple Inc is working with Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV to add secure near-field communications (NFC) technology into the next iPhone, which would enable smartphone users to pay by touch, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with Apple's plans.
NXP will provide the secure near-field communications chips that will allow an iPhone to connect with payment terminals or ticketing systems, the daily reported. (http://on.ft.com/VRN8xK)
NFC technology allows a smartphone to communicate wirelessly with other devices by tapping them together.
Apple has invited media to a "special event" in its hometown of Cupertino, California on Sept. 9, when the iPhone maker is expected to unveil the latest versions of its best-selling smartphones.

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Angry Birds maker Rovio names new CEO

Angry Birds maker Rovio names new CEO

Reuters

HELSINKI - Finland's Rovio, the maker of the Angry Birds mobile game, said it has hired Pekka Rantala from beverage maker Hartwall to take over as its new chief executive by the beginning of next year.
Current CEO Mikael Hed, son of board chairman Kaj Hed, will join the company's board of directors as well as take on the role of chairman at Rovio's animation studios.
Rantala, who is currently the CEO of Hartwall, earlier worked for 14 years for Nokia.
After scoring a global breakthrough with Angry Birds in which players use a slingshot to attack pigs who steal birds' eggs, Rovio has expanded the brand into an animated TV series and merchandising of toys and clothing.
But it has struggled to retain players and earnings halved last year due to investments in the animation business as well as stalling sales.
Rovio said several years ago it could go public in Hong Kong or New York, but has later said it was not planning an initial public offering any time soon.

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MSN Messenger will finally shut down on October 31

MSN Messenger will finally shut down on October 31

by Andy Weir

Neowin

If you read the headline for this article with some confusion, you're probably not alone. After all, Microsoft announced last year that it was closing down its Windows Live Messenger service, and it spent a great deal of time and effort transitioning users to Skype instead.

But while the rest of the world moved to Skype, Windows Live Messenger - even now, still popularly referred to by its previous name, 'MSN Messenger' - lived on in China, where it was operated in partnership with a local third-party company.

However, as TechNode reports today, MSN Messenger will soon be no more, as Chinese users have received emails informing them that the service will be shut down on October 31. To encourage users to stick with Microsoft - rather than moving to rival messaging services - the company is giving each of them a $2 coupon for Skype calls.

MSN Messenger first launched in 1999, before officially rolling out in China in 2005.

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Robot printer 'comes to your desk'

Robot printer 'comes to your desk'

BBC News 

Fuji Xerox has developed a new robotic printer that can move around a lounge or office to bring documents to the person who printed them.

The printer is designed to be used primarily in public places as a way to keep sensitive documents secure.
Sensors on the machine prevent it from bumping into people on the way.
However, some analysts argued that the idea was not cost effective when compared with other secure printing methods.

Describing use of the printer in, for example, an airport business lounge, IDC analyst Maggie Tan told the BBC there are better methods already available.
"The majority of these business lounges would have higher printing demand, especially from business travellers who always need to print urgently using a secured method.
"There are several mobile printing solutions available today that users can submit the print job online through their mobile devices or laptops and they are given a secured password to collect their printouts."

Tokyo testBryan Ma, also from IDC, complimented the ingenuity, if not the practicality of the device.
"Sounds like something very unique to Japan.

"One might even argue that it seems more like technology for technology's sake."

Fuji Xerox - a joint venture between the two firms - has been testing the printer this month at a business lounge in Tokyo.

Each desk in the lounge is given a unique web address from which to print. Users access the address and upload documents to be printed.

Once the printer receives the job, it moves to the intended recipient who then has to display a smart card to activate printing.

The battery in the printer lasts for up to a day

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Is Calum Hood Copying Zayn Malik's Old Hairstyle

Is Calum Hood Copying Zayn Malik's Old Hairstyle

INSTAGRAM, TUMBLR

We really miss the days when Zayn Malik rocked a vibrant blond streak in his stylish quiff. It looks like 5 Seconds of Summer's Calum Hood was a fan of the look as well, because he just dyed his hair in a nearly identical style! Calum posted an Instagram pic showcasing his new bleached hair, and we had to do a double-take to make sure that we weren't looking at a throwback pic of Zayn!

we're totally okay with both guys trying out the trend at some point, we wouldn't even mind if Zayn decided to give the blond streak a major comeback!

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Drones at Disneyland? Disney seeks patents

Drones at Disneyland? Disney seeks patents

Andrew Khouri

Los Angeles Times 

On top of Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Aladdin, visitors to Disney theme parks may one day get a glimpse of drones.
Walt Disney Co. appears to have a wish to use unmanned aircraft to produce entertainment shows, according to three recently published patent applications first reported by the blog Stitch Kingdom.
At the moment, aerial shows can be cumbersome and difficult to modify, Disney says in the applications published last week.
The shows may rely on "very complex fountain systems," fireworks or even blimps dragging large display screens, an application reads. Light shows can also be projected onto buildings, another filing says.
But buildings can't be moved, fireworks can be dangerous and water can shoot only so high, limiting the size and scope of the shows, the applications say.
Disney's apparent fix? Drones. What else?
Numerous drones would jet through the sky, carrying "display payloads" to create a "dynamic display," according to one application.
"Each of these (drones) with its display payload may be thought of as a floating pixel or 'flixel' that when combined provides a very large display screen or aerial display that may be three dimensional," the patent application says.
Another application has a hint of Pinocchio. Drones, the document reads, would pull the strings on marionettes, moving their limbs.
Another patent application says drones would carry flexible, floating projection screens to present "an aerial display over an audience of spectators."
A representative from Disney could not immediately be reached for comment.

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Apple will unveil the iWatch on Sept. 9—here’s what to look for

Apple will unveil the iWatch on Sept. 9—here’s what to look for

Dan Frommer

Quartz

The so-called “iWatch” is supposedly real. Apple “plans to unveil a new wearable” device alongside two new iPhones at an event on Sept. 9, Re/code’s plugged-in John Paczkowski reports. While Apple has been widely reported to be working on some sort of new wearable gadget, surprisingly few details have leaked—including its expected arrival date.

A few important questions:
What is it? This seems basic, but very little has actually been reported about what the “iWatch” looks like or does. Is it actually a band you wear on your wrist? Paczkowski writes that it “will, predictably, make good use of Apple’s HealthKit health and fitness platform.” But that leaves many possibilities for everything from its shape to how it attaches to the body. Does it even have a screen?

Why will people buy it? The idea that Americans, in particular, will suddenly start caring about their health and fitness en masse has always seemed amusing. So what’s the real selling point: Fashion or function?
How often will it need to be charged? Another thing to plug in daily—unless there’s some novel way to charge it—doesn’t sound fun.

How much will it cost? If it’s really getting announced alongside new iPhones, is it intended to be an iPhone accessory? The Apple TV streaming media player—also, arguably, an iPhone accessory—costs $99. That would be a great price for a wearable, especially compared to the $200+ price tags attached to disappointing Google Android-based wearables.

What will it need to work? Will it work only with Apple’s newest iPhones? Or any iOS device? Or could someone—a kid, for example—use it independently? Will it also require some sort of subscription?

Is it cool? This isn’t Apple’s first wearable—it’s been making them for more than a decade, if you count earbuds and clip-on iPods. Some have become iconic; others haven’t. Apple has been hiring people from the fashion and luxury industries, theoretically to help develop and market this device. How have they influenced it?

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Nobody Is Buying Amazon's Fire Phone

Nobody Is Buying Amazon's Fire Phone

Timothy Stenovec

The Huffington Post 

Amazon's Fire Phone does not appear to be on fire.
According to an estimate by Charles Arthur, technology editor at The Guardian, the world's largest online retailer sold fewer than 35,000 of its new smartphones in the first 20 days it was on the market.
To put that in perspective: Apple sold 9 million iPhone 5C and 5S devices within three days of the phones' release last September. It's not an entirely fair comparison, because iPhones are the most popular smartphone in the world and are available in more stores, in more countries and on more carriers.
But 35,000 is indeed a very small number. Amazon itself has 132,600 employees, according to the company's latest public filings.

Amazon's entry into the smartphone market comes at a time when the company is under intense pressure from shareholders to make a profit. Shares of the company plummeted after Amazon reported a loss of $126 million for the three-month period ending June 30, and the company told investors it could lose as much as $810 million this quarter. Just this week, Amazon said it would buy Twitch, the live-streaming video game network, for about $1 billion.

Amazon would never actually give figures for how many phones (or tablets, e-readers or streaming media players, for that matter) it has sold. Arthur's estimate, which he bases on an analysis of the phone's web traffic from Chitika, an online ad network, and numbers from comScore, the analytics company, should be taken with a grain of salt. As Arthur himself writes, "Lots of caveats apply: this is a calculation based on two non-congruent sets of samples, though both are large enough to be robust."
Still, Amazon, which did not respond to an email requesting comment, doesn't have a lot going for it when it comes to the Fire Phone.

It got tepidreviews, at best. For starters, it's just as expensive as a new iPhone or premium Android device, and not nearly as good. Although it's based on Android, it has its own operating system. Therefore, many apps -- such as Google's popular suite that includes Google Maps, Gmail and YouTube -- aren't available for it. It's also only available on AT&T, and unlike the iPhone, when it first came out and was only available on AT&T, the Fire Phone is not a product most people would switch carriers for.

As I wrote in my review, Amazon is asking customers to sacrifice a lot to switch to the Fire Phone.
Amazon also got into the smartphone game late -- the majority of Americans already have smartphones, and 94 percent run on either Android or Apple's iOS. Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system, which gets good reviews, has just 3.4 percent of the market in the U.S., according to comScore.

That said, Amazon has put its huge marketing muscle behind the Fire Phone, hawking it on its highly trafficked home page as well as sealing delivery boxes with colorful tape promoting the phone.
But even the power of the world's largest online retailer doesn't seem to be enough to sell the Fire Phone.

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