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Verizon to become last Nexus 6 carrier, announces handset ‘coming soon’

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The Nexus 6 is finally coming to Verizon Wireless, making it the last carrier to get the device. The availability date is currently unknown, but according to a new banner on the carrier’s site, the phone is “coming soon.”

Users can sign up for updates through Verizon’s website for updates on the availability of the Nexus 6. The Motorola-built device became available late last year. In our review, 9to5Google’s Dom Esposito said the phone “set a new standard for Android devices.”

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Google SVP of Knowledge Alan Eustace reportedly planning to retire amidst corporate reorganization

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Alan Eustace, Google’s SVP of Knowledge is apparently planning to exit the company, a new report from TechCrunch indicated today. The former HP staffer joined Google 12 years ago, and claimed a world record last year following a 135,908-foot jump that broke the record help by Felix Baumgartner.

Who will take over Eustace’s role isn’t known at this time, but TechCrunch says the exec is not likely to seek a position at another company. He has reportedly been looking for an exit for some time now, apparently sparked by a reorganization taking place within Google.

Eustace isn’t the first notable leader to leave the search and tech giant. He follows in the footsteps of Android co-founder Andy Rubin, Google X founder Sebastian Thrun, and two executives from the company’s home automation division.

Project Tango moving on from Advanced Technology and Projects group

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Google has announced that Project Tango, the 3D mapping tech currently formerly in development in the company’s Advanced Technology and Projects division is moving on to a home of its own.

The Google+ post announcing the change didn’t provide specifics about where exactly the Tango tech will be moving, but it seems the company is pleased with the progress it’s made so far and is willing to invest some additional resources to continue the work.


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Nest loses two executives as Dropcam co-founder and technology VP exit

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Two Nest executives have flown the coop, The Verge reported today. Dropcam co-founder Greg Duffy has decided to leave the company, according to sources at the comany cited by the Verge. Yoky Matsuoka, vice president of technology for Nest, has also decided to bow out after what the report describes as a “culture clash” between the two companies threatened to drain Dropcam of its creative spirit.

Matsuoka, who helped create Google’s X division, will reportedly be heading to Twitter, though it’s not clear what role she will play. Duffy joined forces with Google when Dropcam was purchased by Nest last year for $555 million. Nest, of course, was already owned by Google at that point. Where Duffy will go next is unknown.


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The Atlantic provides a look inside Google’s life sciences lab, where the company makes human skin

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dzI_azZEGI]

The Atlantic got to take an exclusive look inside Google’s medical sciences lab, where the company is developing crazy new technologies like a FitBit-style armband paired with a nanoparticle-laden pill that can detect cancer—a technology first noted as being in development by 9to5Google last June.

Also, they’re making fake arms out of real skin. Yes, real human skin.


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Microsoft launches preview of revamped Outlook mail app based on Acompli for Android (Video)

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Microsoft announced today a new app for its Outlook email service on Android. The app [Google Play, Free] is based on the Acompli software that the company purchased in December for $200 million. The app includes “email triage” features found in the old app as well as new features to help appeal to a wider audience, such as the ability to toggle threaded conversation views.

The Outlook Android app will also support mail from third-party services beyond Microsoft’s. Gmail, iCloud, and Yahoo email accounts can be plugged into the app, and attachments can be added to messages from cloud services like Google Drive and Dropox. Check out the video below …


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Jawbone introduces marketplace for partner apps and hardware

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Fitness gadget maker Jawbone announced today that it has launched a new “partner marketplace” for third-party apps and hardware that work together in an attempt to embrace the “Internet of Things.”

The new store features “smart home” products like Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat and other automation tools, such as Automatic’s driving assistant. Software, like the Sleepio app, are also available.


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Google makes its 24-minute space documentary available on YouTube

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=OkivPFtLOj4]

Google has debuted its space documentary Back To The Moon for Good — The New Space Race on YouTube today following its national tour in planetariums last year.

The short film features narration by Tim Allen and was created with the intent of promoting Google’s Lunar XPrize competition. The documentary takes a look at the history of mankind’s exploration of the moon, and provides a hopeful look at the future of space travel.

You can check out the complete film on YouTube (embedded above) for free right now.

Nexus Player to hit store shelves and online retailers on January 25th

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Google’s Nexus Player has appeared on Newegg’s online store in preparation for a January 25th release, and appears to be showing up in some Walmart stores as well. The $99 streaming device was first announced last year and is currently available through Google’s Play Store.

Along with the Asus-built Nexus Player, shoppers will be able to pick up the associated gamepad for $49. Like the player itself, the gamepad is scheduled to go on sale this Sunday.


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YouTube will produce its own Super Bowl halftime show featuring popular video producers

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Harley Morenstein will host YouTube's Super Bowl halftime show

Harley Morenstein will host YouTube’s Super Bowl halftime show

YouTube is typically the place people go to find their favorite Super Bowl ads before and after the game, but the video streaming service wants to serve an even larger purpose this year. According to the official YouTube blog, the site is planning to produce its own halftime show to stream during the game on February 1st.

The event will be hosted by EpicMealTime’s Harley Morenstein and feature content from top YouTube stars. YouTube specifically lists Freddie Wong, Toby Turner, and duo Rhett & Link as producers who will participate, along with others. Some of the acts will include stunts, musical performances, and comedy sketeches setup as fake Super Bowl ads.


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Google reportedly in talks to acquire mobile payment app Softcard

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Google is in talks to buy Softcard, the mobile payment company formerly known as Isis, according to a new report from TechCrunch. The deal may be less than $100 million, TechCrunch says. It seems Google is trying to bolster its own NFC payment options in the face of growing competition from Cupertino.

The deal still appears to be in the early stages, and it’s possible that it may not happen. In that case, several other buyers could swoop in for the acquisition, including AT&T or PayPal, both of which are rumored to have an interest in the company.


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Xiaomi announces new 5.7″ Note phablet, compares to Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus

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Image via @DarthMowl

Image via <a href="https://twitter.com/DarthMowl/status/555617448138137600" target="_blank">@DarthMowl</a>

After teasing a super-thin new smartphone earlier this week, smartphone maker Xiaomi revealed its 2015 flagship model, the Note. Just to be clear, this is an entirely new device, and doesn’t seem to be related to the company’s existing “Redmi Note” smartphone. It’s also not related to Samsung’s similarly named devices, though it hardly seems unreasonable to think that Samsung’s execs aren’t exactly pleased with the name.

The 5.7-inch phone is positioned as an iPhone 6 Plus competitor. It features a 1080p display, a 13-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization—a far cry from Apple’s 8 MP shooter—and a 4 MP front-facing camera.


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Logitech announces Harmony API, begins accepting applications for beta access

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Logitech has announed a new API for developers that will allow them to integrate their software with the many smart home devices supported by the Harmony system. There are currently over 270,000 different automation products and services that work with the Harmony API.

The API will enable the creation of new control platforms that let users carry out automated tasks using voice control, gestures, and more. Many developers have already been granted beta access, and others who would like to give the system a try can request access by emailing the company. The full press release is available below.

Logitech Harmony Opens Largest Library of Home Entertainment and Smart Home Products to Developers

New Harmony API Empowers Developers To Build Exceptional Home Control Experiences

NEWARK, Calif. — Jan. 14, 2014 — Today Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) announced the availability of a new Harmony API that allows developers to leverage the vast Logitech Harmony platform of more than 270,000 home entertainment and automation devices to create smart home experiences. Select companies and products including SmartThings, IFTTT, Ivee, Myo armband, Playtabase, and UCIC, creators of the Ubi, have already begun development using the API to bring new home control experiences to the Harmony home.
“We know that entertainment is critical to the smart home experience, and will be a main driver for mass adoption of smart home products,” said Mark Spates, head of the smart home platform for Logitech Harmony. “By opening our platform to developers, we’re giving developers the ability to create complete smart home experiences that include the living room, knowing that their entertainment component will offer the same flawless experience that consumers have come to expect from Harmony.”
The Harmony API gives developers access to some of Harmony’s most powerful features — one-touch Activities such as “Watch a Movie”, “Play Games” and “Listen to Music”. Imagine starting your favorite movie with a wave of your arm, or turning on your TV, media player, and sound system while simultaneously lowering the lights all by saying a single word. Using the API, developers are already working to add voice, gesture and motion control to the Harmony smart home control experience.
Availability
The Harmony API is available now and can be found at www.myharmony.com/developer. To learn more, please visit www.myharmony.com, or read our blog.

About Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitech’s combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

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BlackBerry denies claims of $7.5 billion Samsung buyout

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Earlier today a rumor appeared through CNBC that Samsung was considering buying up BlackBerry for its patents. After getting a nice 21% bump to its stock price, BlackBerry has officially denied the claims in a new statement:

BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ:BBRY)(TSX:BB) (“BlackBerry”) is aware of certain press reports published today with respect to a possible offer by Samsung to purchase BlackBerry. BlackBerry has not engaged in discussions with Samsung with respect to any possible offer to purchase BlackBerry. BlackBerry’s policy is not to comment on rumors or speculation, and accordingly it does not intend to comment further.

[tweet https://twitter.com/markgurman/status/555493972765061120 align=’center’]

Samsung announces Z1, the first smartphone powered by Tizen, available in India today

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Samsung today revealed its first Tizen-powered smartphone, dubbed the Z1. The phone was originally teased as the “Samsung Z” in June of last year, and was supposed to be available in Russia in Q3 2014, but faced delays that pushed the release back until the new year.

Rather than launching the Z1 in Russia, however, Samsung is instead opting to only make the device available in India for the time being. While the originally teased phone featured decent specs, the version that went to market today sports decidedly less advanced internals targeting the entry-level market.


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Google reaches deal with employees in lawsuit over anti-poaching policies

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Update: According to Reuters, the settlement is $415 million, a big improvement over the previous $380 million offer.

Apple has reached a deal with its employees over do-not-hire policies that workers claim prevented them from getting higher-paying jobs at competing companies. Judge Lucy Koh previously rejected an offer to the tune of $324 million that the plaintiff in the case said was too low.

Today’s settlement is presumably for much more money than the original, since the plaintiff has accepted it, but the details of the deal have not yet been disclosed. Judge Koh said that the prior offer should have been closer to $380 million.


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British prime minister says he’ll ban encrypted chat apps if he can’t see your messages

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For several months we’ve followed the U.S. government’s attempts to work around encryption in chat apps, even taking the hyperbole to an illogical extreme at one point, but we haven’t yet seen similar threats from other nations… or at least, we hadn’t until today.

British prime minister David Cameron said today that unless the government is given backdoor access to encrypted messaging services, he’s just going to outlaw them:


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Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship phone reportedly ‘thin as a cicada’s wings,’ enters mass production next month

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A new research note from KGI indicates that Xiaomi’s Android upcoming smartphone, debuting January 15th, will feature a thin new form factor that the company says will be “as thin as a cicada’s wings,” in what could potentially become the worst product simile of the year.

While Xiaomi’s previous devices have been called iPhone clones, the new device, which KGI says could be called the “Xiaomi 4S” or “Xiaomi 5” will feature a vastly improved camera over Apple’s latest models, clocking in at 13 MP and featuring optical image stabilization.


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NYT: Google plans to launch real-time mobile voice translation ‘soon’

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The New York Times reports today that Google is preparing an update to its mobile Translate app that will include real-time detection and translation of spoken foreign languages. The online service recently got an upgrade to support a total of 90 languages.

The app will also reportedly gain the ability to use the camera to translate foreign signs in the real world. An exact timeline for when the update will roll out wasn’t given, but the Times says that most Android devices currently running the application will be able to use the new version as well.


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Preview versions of Microsoft Office apps for Android tablets now available on Google Play

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Microsoft has made the preview version of its Android productivity suite available on Google Play for the first time. Previously the three applications were available to users who signed up for the preview through a Google+ group.

The new apps are packaged separately, and more fully-featured than the existing all-in-one Office Mobile software that’s been available for some time. Of course, this is still an unfinished product, so bear in mind that some issues are bound to arise.

Users can now download the…

TCL confirms purchase of Palm trademarks, solicits product ideas from the public

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As suggested last week, it seems that TCL, parent company of Alcatel Onetouch, has indeed purchased the rights to the Palm trademarks from HP and plans to launch new devices under that banner. What new devices, exactly, is still a mystery, however.

Today TCL CEO George Guo said that he believed the existing value of the Palm brand had piqued the company’s interest in acquiring the trademarks, though it seems it did so without much of a plan for the future. The executive said that the Palm name will be brought back to the market, but TCL is hoping that the public will provide ideas for products it can produce under the brand.


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YouTube says support for 360-degree videos will roll out ‘in the coming weeks’

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YouTube has confirmed that it will be enabling support for 360-degree video uploads in the near future, Engadget reported today. While no information was given as to how the feature would be implemented or how video playback would be supported, Google did say that users can expect to see the capability rolling out “in the coming weeks.”


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Sony’s CES 2015 live stream kicks off in 15 minutes, here’s where you can watch it

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Sony is about to start its CES 2015 press conference, which will undoubtedly provide a look at the company’s next-gen mobile devies, among other products. If you want to watch the event live, Sony will be providing a live stream on its website. We’ve embedded it below for your convenience.

As usual, 9to5Google will be covering all of the major announcements for the event as well.


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