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Navy set to run helicopter drones on Linux
Posted by Ariel Levin-Waldman Categories: Corporate News, Software, Transportation,
Everyone knows at least one guy who uses Linux. I don't use it myself, but I knew that one guy. He built all his PCs from spart parts, he knew the ins and outs of programming, he was a little bit of an anarchist (ok, more than a little). He fits the bill of the Linux user stereotype-- the young hobbyist and hacker.
But now Linux has a new user. The United States military. Oddly, if I were to describe the military in a few words, hobbyist and hacker would be the dead last words I picked.
Raytheon makes drone and missile systems for the United States. These systems used to run on the Solaris operating system, but the Navy has asked Raytheon to help make some code switches so that they can use Linux for their upcoming unmanned helicopter project, the Mq-8B Fire Scout.
The move is expected to create more intuitive controls for the new unarmed aerial vehicles and save money in the long run. The military originally held that open source software presented too great a security risk for defense applications. It seems that Linux has changed minds.
How do you feel about the Navy's choice to go open source? Chime in in the comments to let us know.
Gallery: Navy set to run helicopter drones on Linux
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Apple seeks to acquire Beats Electronics for $3.2 billion
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Rumors,
Apple is purportedly set to make its biggest acquisition in the history of the company, as The Financial Times is reporting that it is about to buy Beats Electronics for $3.2 billion. What would Apple get out of Beats Audio? Well, for starters, there's the Beats Music subscription platform, which allows customers to listen to on-demand music along with curated mood-based playlists. That would be a great complement to iTunes Radio, which doesn't allow users to put songs on repeat, and limits skip functionality. Additionally, Beats is likely most known for its iconic Beats by Dr. Dre headphone line. Apple would become owner of the audio hardware in the case of an acquisition, and could even use the Beats Audio sound profile in future iOS devices (similar to what HTC did in its phones when it was a stakeholder in Beats Audio a couple of years ago.)
Apple and Beats Electronics are both keeping silent for now, but if the deal does go through, it's large enough that an official announcement will be made by both companies.
Gallery: Apple seeks to acquire Beats Electronics for $3.2 billion
Microsoft files its own smart watch patent
Posted by Ariel Levin-Waldman Categories: Wearables, Corporate News, Microsoft,
With the smartphone being a huge success, companies like Samsung and Sony got the idea to make it smaller and wrist mounted, creating the Galaxy Gear and Sony Smartwatch lines respectively. Now Microsoft has decided to muscle into the game, registering its patents with the U.S. Government this week.
The application filed with the patent office describes the wearable as a music player, phone, message device, and fitness measuring device. The watchface would be detachable from the wristband so that it can be connected to a charging port.
The features described are still speculation, and no date has been stated for release. Microsoft is up against competition from Samsung, who released their product last year, Motorola, which plans to release the Moto 360 in July, and Pebble, which has already sold over 400,000 units.
Gallery: Microsoft files its own smart watch patent
Glamour Red HTC One (M8) heading to Verizon
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Design, Handhelds,
For all you Verizon customers waiting on the Glamour Red HTC One (M8) to arrive, it looks like your wait won't be that much longer. The folks over at @evleaks got their hands on a render of the red HTC flagship device, which means that it's likely primed for release, sporting the same 5-inch, 1080p, KitKat goodness that the other three hues (Gunmetal gray, Arctic silver, and Rose gold) are packing.
So specific date has been announced just yet, but it's looking mighty fine, no? As soon as an announcement is made on availability, we'll let you know--or, you can check Verizon's HTC One (M8) page for yourself. In the meantime, check out our HTC One (M8) unboxing video after the jump.
Click to continue reading Glamour Red HTC One (M8) heading to Verizon
Gallery: Glamour Red HTC One (M8) heading to Verizon
Apple TV surpasses 20 million units sold, no longer a “hobby”
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Home Entertainment,
Apple CEO announced that Apple TV sales have now surpassed 20 million during today's Q2 2014 earnings call. As such, the company recently stopped referring to the Apple TV business as a "hobby," as it's done for the past seven years or so.
"I'm feeling good about this business and where it could go," Tim Cook said, further revealing that the company stopped calling the product segment a hobby once it pulled in $1 billion in revenue in 2013. "it didn’t feel right to me to refer to something that brought in a billion dollars as a 'hobby,'"
Now, the Apple TV is an "area of intense interest"--no longer a hobby, indeed. The last major Apple TV hardware release came in 2012. Since then, the company has added many new channels of content over time. Rumors continue to persist that Apple will release a new Apple TV set-top box with expanded functionality, while others say that the company is set to reveal a full-on 4K Ultra High Definition television set of its own.
You can pick up the current Apple TV at a discount on Amazon.
Gallery: Apple TV surpasses 20 million units sold, no longer a “hobby”
60% of iPhone 5c & iPhone 4s buyers are switching from Android
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,
During today's Apple earnings call, CEO Tim Cook announced that 62% of current iPhone 4S buyers, and 60% of current iPhone 5c buyers are switching over from Android devices. The iPhone 4s is currently free with two-year contract, while the iPhone 5c is $99 (sometimes less) with the same term agreement (see our iPhone 5c review.) These numbers bring new light to the question that many ask, wondering why Apple keeps the iPhone 4s around, or why it made the iPhone 5c in the first place. They provide an inexpensive entry point with powerful hardware for users who just want to get started in the iOS ecosystem, without having to spend on a higher-priced flagship Apple device. By that tune, it would appear that the iPhone 5c is a success after all.
Gallery: 60% of iPhone 5c & iPhone 4s buyers are switching from Android
Apple reports $45.6 billion Q2 2014 revenue: 43.7m iPhones, 16.3m iPads, 4.1m Macs sold
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video,
Today, Apple announced its second quarter earnings results, with revenue at $45.6 billion, beating the guidance of $42-44 billion that it previously gave, while also soundly beating analyst estimates.
How did Apple make that money? Mostly on the back of the iPhone. Device sales for Q2 2014 include 43.7 million iPhones sold, 16.3 million iPads, 3 million iPods, and 4.1 million Macs. In the same quarter last year, the iPhone sold 37.4 million, iPad 19.5 million, iPod 5.6 million, and Mac 3.9 million. The company also announced that Apple TV sales has now surpassed 20 million.
Apple isn't done yet. During today's earning call, CEO Tim Cook reiterated that Apple has new hardware categories that it's excited to reveal here in 2014. Time will tell if they'll be big enough to garner their own bulletpoint in the quarterly results in the future.
Gallery: Apple reports $45.6 billion Q2 2014 revenue: 43.7m iPhones, 16.3m iPads, 4.1m Macs sold
HBO renews Game of Thrones for two more seasons
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment,
HBO has announced that it's ordered two additional seasons of Game of Thrones, which just started its fourth season this past Sunday. It makes sense, as the show was recently recognized as the most torrented television show out there, proving its popularity. Even with the rampant piracy, the season 3 finale was seen by over 5 million people.
If you didn't realize, Game of Thrones is based on A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. It's comprised of five books, which two more to come. This means that Game of Thrones producers have plenty of content to pull from. In fact, Game of Thrones seasons 3 and 4 are based on Storm of Swords, the third novel in the series.
"Game of Thrones is a phenomenon like no other," said Michael Mobardo, president of HBO programming. "David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with their talented collaborators, continue to surpass themselves, and we look forward to more of their dazzling storytelling."
The Game of Thrones season 4 premier garnered 6.6 million viewers. To put that into perspective, that is the most-viewed HBO show since the last episode of The Sopranos brought in 12 million viewers in 2007. Game of Thrones is expected to have a 7 or 8 season run when all is said and done.
Gallery: HBO renews Game of Thrones for two more seasons
Amazon holding major video launch event on April 2
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment,
This morning Amazon sent out invitations for an April 2nd event that invites us to "Please join us for an update on our video business." In the background is a couch, with a few pieces of popcorn spilled on it. It looks like the company may finally launch the long-rumored Amazon Video set-top box, a product that would compete with devices like the Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku products. Amazon's box may even differentiate itself by offering gaming right out of the gate, as we saw a prototype of an Amazon game controller leaked a couple of weeks ago. There are plenty of Android games that Amazon could see success with with game controller support built-in.
We'll know for sure on April 2, and we'll bring you the full details.
Update: It looks like Amazon may also launch a free video streaming service at this event as well!
Gallery: Amazon holding major video launch event on April 2
HTC One (M8): Quad-core, 1080p, KitKat, available today for $199
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,
This morning, HTC officially announced the HTC One (M8) during a New York City press conference. It's the new flagship device from the company, replacing last year's original HTC One smartphone, which we thought was the best Android phone of the year (you can see our original HTC One review here.) HTC did what it could to make the device better in every way, including a unique camera system. With that said, there's a lot to go over, so let's get to it.
Click to continue reading HTC One (M8): Quad-core, 1080p, KitKat, available today for $199
Gallery: HTC One (M8): Quad-core, 1080p, KitKat, available today for $199
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