Tech Industry

1,101 'Tech Industry' stories May 2013 - July 2014

See All Stories

Google partners with Adobe to release unified Noto Sans CJK font family for Chinese, Japanese and Korean

9to5 Staff Jul 15 2014 - 5:33 pm PT

Google has joined forces with Adobe to release a unified Noto Sans CJK font family for Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese and Korean, four languages that represent nearly one-quarter of readers worldwide. Noto Sans CJK is a high-quality Pan-CJK font family that aims to provide a richer reading experience to the East Asian community across operating systems and apps.

Google explained the technical details of the font family in a recent blog post:

Noto Sans CJK is a sans serif typeface designed as an intermediate style between the modern and traditional. It is intended to be a multi-purpose digital font for user interface designs, digital content, reading on laptops, mobile devices, and electronic books. Noto Sans CJK is provided in seven weights: Thin, Light, DemiLight, Regular, Medium, Bold, and Black.

Fully supporting CJK requires tens of thousands of characters—these languages share the majority of ideographic characters, but there are also characters that are unique to only one language or to a subset of the languages. One of the primary design goals of Noto Sans CJK is that each script should retain its own distinctive look, which follows regional conventions, while remaining harmonious with the others.

Adobe has released the same font family under the name Source Han Sans.

Microsoft appears to be blocking Google as default search option on select Lumia devices

Mark Hearn Jul 15 2014 - 10:08 am PT

Microsoft is reportedly blocking Google as a search engine option on some of Nokia’s new Lumia handsets. Windows Phone devices ship with Bing as their default search engine without an option to change platforms. Prior to Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia’s phone making division, the Finnish company provided users with an option to change a Lumia’s search engine via its web browser, but this appears to be gone from some devices.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Boston Dynamics’ LS3 support robot enters simulated combat with a group of Marines (video)

Mark Hearn Jul 15 2014 - 8:23 am PT

Boston Dynamics’ LS3 aka Legged Squad Support Systems is starting to earn its stripes. The creepy rough terrain robot recently trotted through its first set of training exercises with the US Marine Corps. These simulated drills took place at a pretend combat zone in Hawaii, where the mechanical gear-hauling quadruped demonstrated its ability to maneuver through hostile land.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Two HTC executives reportedly leaving the company

Mark Hearn Jul 15 2014 - 7:41 am PT

HTC’s Chief Marketing Officer Ben Ho and President of Engineering and Operations Fred Liu have resigned from the company, according to Bloomberg. These two departures and a recent move by the Taiwanese smartphone maker’s VP of design describe the type of major personnel changes taking place at HTC. In his short time with the company, Ho oversaw the firm’s “Here’s To Change” marketing campaign, which featured a series of commercials starring Hollywood A-lister, Robert Downey Jr.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google announces ‘Project Zero,’ wants to put an end to online targeted attacks

Stephen Hall Jul 15 2014 - 7:14 am PT

Google today announced a new initiative it is calling “Project Zero,” a broad attempt at reducing the number of internet users that are harmed every day by a variety of different types of targeted attacks. Google believes that everyone should be able to use the internet without constant worry that attackers might use software vulnerabilities nefariously, and due to that, the Mountain View corporation has assembled a team of experienced security researchers to help improve security across the internet.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Samsung, Nest, ARM and others say Smart homes need more than WiFi and Bluetooth, propose Thread IP6 mesh network

Ben Lovejoy Jul 15 2014 - 3:54 am PT

Wifi and Bluetooth may work fine for today’s limited number of smart home devices, but neither is ideal for future homes in which every switch, socket and lightbulb may be a connected device – that’s the claim of a consortium of companies that includes Samsung, Nest and ARM.

GigaOM reports that the companies have jointly created a new radio system which they believe is more suited to smart home networks than existing systems.

Dubbed Thread, it is a low-power, mesh network protocol that also supports IPv6. The standard is built on the existing radio hardware used by ZigBee devices (802.15.4), which means that a company could update their ZigBee devices to support Thread with software if they chose …

Expand
Expanding
Close

MIT working with Google’s Boston Dynamics to develop shapeshifting robots

Mark Hearn Jul 14 2014 - 12:09 pm PT

A team of eggheads at MIT are working with Boston Dynamics to develop next-generation shapeshifting robots built from simple materials like wax and foam. Not quite like Shang Tsung from Mortal Kombat, these pliable contraptions possess the ability to squish into smalls spaces, while maintaining their durability. So don’t worry about these machines stealing your identity just yet. To change shape, these low-cost robots use embedded wiring to heat and contort specific parts of their waxy builds.

Expand
Expanding
Close

NVIDIA reportedly working on new Tegra K1 Android gaming device capable of playing PC games

Mark Hearn Jul 14 2014 - 7:43 am PT

NVIDIA is reportedly working on a new Android-based gaming platform capable of running PC-level games, according to BBC News. The unannounced device will be powered by the chip maker’s new Tegra K1 processor and it will be able to stream games to televisions via an HDMI-out port and a “budget-priced” controller accessory. In addition to being able to connect to a TV, NVIDIA’s new rig will support mobile gaming and native Android apps, similar to the company’s existing Shield system.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Former Google [X] director and head of Glass Babak Parviz joins Amazon

Stephen Hall Jul 12 2014 - 7:22 pm PT

Google X director Babak Parviz founded and led both the Google Glass and contact lens projects at Google, but it appears he has now left the Mountain View corporation in favor of Amazon. This news comes shortly after just two months ago stepping aside to let former Old Navy and Gap marketing VP Ivy Ross take the Google Glass helm.

Expand
Expanding
Close

E-Label Act wants to remove unsightly regulatory symbols from the back of your mobile devices

Mark Hearn Jul 11 2014 - 3:01 pm PT

Those pesky regulatory symbols on the back of your smartphone or tablet may soon be going digital if a new bill being presented to the US Senate gets approved. The E-Label Act is a bipartisan bill that would give electronics manufacturers the option to use digital stamps instead of branding devices with government-mandated tattoos.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Samsung’s new Exynos chips fuse LTE modems with application processors

Mark Hearn Jul 10 2014 - 11:46 am PT

Today, Samsung announced its newest processors, the Exynos ModAP. This new chip fuses an LTE-A modem with a quad-core processor, built on a 28nm process. Designed with efficiency in mind, Samsung’s new chip also maintains a cool temperature, which is why the company used a frosty image in yesterday’s teaser.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Samsung is calling on fashionistas to design Galaxy Tab S accessories

Mark Hearn Jul 10 2014 - 7:39 am PT

As part of a partnership with International Talent Support, Samsung revealed a new contest today that will challenge designers to create a prototype accessory made from Diesel denim that will carry and protect the Galaxy Tab S. To bring their designs to fruition, contestants were able to sketch and develop concepts for their product using a Galaxy Note tablet and S Pen.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Skybox Imaging successfully launches its SkySat-2 Earth observation satellite

Mark Hearn Jul 8 2014 - 2:45 pm PT

Last month, Google announced plans to acquire satellite imaging company Skybox for $500 million. Today, the soon to be Google-owned company announced that it has successfully launched its SkySat-2 Earth observation satellite aboard a Soyuz-2 rocket from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Samsung factory robbed at gunpoint, $36 million in smartphones, tablets and laptops stolen

9to5 Staff Jul 7 2014 - 3:05 pm PT

A group of about 20 men armed with submachine guns raided a factory in the Brazilian city of Campinas on Monday, escaping with approximately $36 million in stolen Samsung products. Among the items looted included smartphones, tablets and notebooks, although no specific models were identified. It is unknown if Samsung owned the factory, or simply stored product there.
Expand
Expanding
Close

NASA launching Google’s Project Tango smartphones into space on July 11th

Mark Hearn Jul 7 2014 - 12:29 pm PT

Robots aboard the International Space Station will soon be equipped with depth sensing smartphones courtesy of Google. The space-ready handsets will be from the search giant’s Project Tango initiative that uses 3D image tracking technology to map their surroundings. The phones with hitch a ride on a cargo spacecraft scheduled to launch on July 11th and will be the eyes and ears of NASA’s Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES).

Expand
Expanding
Close

Make sure your electronic devices are charged-up before flying to the U.S. – TSA requirement

Ben Lovejoy Jul 7 2014 - 3:54 am PT

If you’re flying (back) to the U.S. from overseas, make sure that all your electronic devices have enough juice left to power-up when you reach airport security, otherwise you won’t be allowed to take them on board due to a new TSA requirement.

The Transportation Security Administration said yesterday that it was requiring certain overseas airports flying directly to U.S. airports to increase security checks on electronic items in response to concerns about new al-Qaida attempts to use them as disguise for bombs.

While the focus appears to be on smartphones, it’s also possible that passengers will be required to power-up tablets and laptops also. Devices that won’t power-up will not be allowed on board, and passengers carrying these devices may be subject to additional screening.

The TSA has not revealed which airports are subject to the new requirements, but London’s Heathrow is known to be one of them.

Verizon reportedly launching prepaid LTE services on July 17th

Mark Hearn Jul 3 2014 - 9:41 am PT

Verizon may finally be adding LTE to its prepaid services, according to the folks at Droid Life. This change would will reportedly take effect on July 17th and the carrier will offer this new service through its ALLSET prepaid plans that include unlimited talk, text and 500MB of date for $45 a month. Customers using this off-contract setup can add 500MB of data for $5, 1GB for $10 and 3GB for $20.

Expand
Expanding
Close

HTC One M8 and mid-range phones put the company back in the black after a string of losses

Ben Lovejoy Jul 3 2014 - 6:43 am PT

HTC, which started losing money last October, has kept its promise to return to the black in Q2 this year according to unaudited figures revealed in a brief statement.

Unaudited quarterly revenue was NT$65.06 billion and net profit before tax was NT$2.76 billion. Operating profit was NT$2.43 billion, and net profit after tax was NT$2.26 billion

The company said in February that it planned to follow Samsung’s lead in making handsets across all price-points, stating that it had “missed a huge chunk of the mid-tier market.” Revealing further losses in April, the company said that it expected to return to profit in Q2 thanks to both new mid-range phones like the Desire 816 and its well-regarded flagship One M8 …
Expand
Expanding
Close

After wearables, Samsung explores rideables in technology tests on Trek bicycles

Ben Lovejoy Jul 3 2014 - 4:46 am PT

CNET reports that Samsung is partnering with bicycle manufacturer Trek and its factory race team to explore the options for integrating the company’s technology into future bicycles.

The company has begun testing some of its mobile products — such as the Galaxy S5, its Gear portfolio, and the Galaxy Note — on the Trek Factory Racing Team as they train for some of the world’s top races, such as the Tour de France. As they ride, the team will monitor their health stats, racing cadence, and speed, along with communicate about team strategies and race routes …

Expand
Expanding
Close

Attention compulsive gamblers: Google’s cloud platform is 8 for 8 in World Cup predictions

Mark Hearn Jul 2 2014 - 1:05 pm PT

Whether you’re an avid soccer fan or a compulsive gambler looking for an edge, Google’s cloud platform could be your best friend or worst enemy, depending on who you’re rooting for in this year’s World Cup. In a blog post today, product marketing manager, Benjamin Bechtolsheim revealed that so far the company’s system has managed to correctly predict winners for each match in the tournament’s Round of 16.

Expand
Expanding
Close

T-Mobile expected to start offering accessories on equipment installment plans starting July 20

Stephen Hall Jul 2 2014 - 12:55 pm PT

According to a leaked internal T-Mobile memo, accessories being sold to eligible customers will qualify for an EIP (equipment installment plan) starting on July 20th (via TmoNews). Much more expensive smartphone accessories such as smartwatches and high-end Beats headphones are surely becoming more and more attractive to customers, and the un-carrier seemingly wants to give customers an easier way to get their hands on them.
Expand
Expanding
Close

T-Mobile’s LTE footprint passes 230 million points of presence

Stephen Hall Jun 30 2014 - 1:36 pm PT

T-Mobile held its un-carrier 5.0 (and 6.0) event a couple of weeks ago, and the company’s press release to go along with the event had T-Mobile CTO Neville Ray promising that the company would have an “LTE footprint north of 230 million pops by the end of [the] month.”

It appears that, just in time, the company has hit this goal. And in sarcastic and hilarious fashion, John Legere has taken to Twitter to confirm:

Neville confirmed we hit 230M POPs of LTE! Met our goal but still going! Where you at @Sprint? I hear you’re running behind. #sprintlikehell

— John Legere (@JohnLegere) June 28, 2014

Along with its growing LTE network, the un-carrier 5.0 event brought a slew of other announcements including an iPhone 5s test drive program, free streaming for iTunes Radio and other music services, and the company’s own music streaming service dubbed “unRadio.”

BlackBerry responds to reports of 0 percent market share with ‘fact check’ portal

Ben Lovejoy Jun 30 2014 - 4:06 am PT

Following a CIRP report claiming that BlackBerry’s smartphone market share was now zero (that is, too small to measure), the company has hit back with a ‘fact check’ portal intended to present its side of the story to what it sees as “sensationalized reports.”

To be fair to the company, the CIRP report in question measured consumer share, while BlackBerry’s strength has always been in the enterprise market, where BlackBerry says it still leads.

[In the Enterprise space] BlackBerry has the largest install base, an unparalleled global infrastructure, and the deepest understanding of how to provide secure, productive mobile collaboration and communications in the enterprise space.

Which may well be true for the moment, but the very fact that the company feels it has to work so hard to present its case is testament itself to its precarious prospects.

BlackBerry announced earlier this month that apps on the Amazon Appstore will be available to BlackBerry 10 owners from the fall.

Larry Page says healthcare data-mining could save thousands of lives

Mark Hearn Jun 26 2014 - 3:27 pm PT

A large chunk of the world’s population has a great fear of data-mining, however the paranoia of being spied on could be costing people their lives, according to Google’s co-founder Larry Page. The Mountain View executive recently addressed concerns about the way that Google handles sensitive information and Page made the argument that there are some benefits to data-mining.

Expand
Expanding
Close