Tech Roundup: Google July 24 Event, Moto X & More
[A recurring feature on the latest trends in Science & Technology.]
Google sets up breakfast meet with Sundar Pichai on July 24:
Search giant Google has sent invitations for a July 24 event to be led by Android and Chrome OS chief Sundar Pichai. The company is mum about its plans, but we can hope it would be most likely about Android's next version, rumored to be 4.3 (its system dump is out already), a Nexus 7 refresh and Chrome OS. Whatever be the case, we will know in a few days.
Can Moto X put an end to spec battle?
Motorola is heavily betting on its upcoming Android smartphone Moto X. Dubbed as a phone "designed by you", it is expected to be unveiled on August 1 at an event in New York. But what's surprising is the specs, which are decidedly mid-range by standards (when you compare it along with the likes of Galaxy S4 and HTC One): a dual-core processor, 2GB RAM, 10.5MP rear camera, and a near stock version of Android Jelly Bean (4.2.2). That Motorola has decided to keep this affordable aside, what needs to be underscored is perhaps its decision to focus on user experience over specifications.
HTC One Mini - a design marvel:
Taiwanese handset manufacturer HTC has pulled the wraps off the One's first sibling, the One Mini. Sporting the same design aesthetics (in fact it looks better than the One, with the flash now positioned above the camera sensor in place of the strip - check it out here and here), the 4.3-incher phone is a looker all right. With BoomSound, UltraPixel camera (no Optical Image Stabilization though) and Android experience intact, the One Mini - a misnomer considering the screen size - if priced right should win over more fans for the One product line. Now will Samsung learn a thing or two about design from HTC? Rumours are abound that HTC is also planning a bigger 6-inch phablet, appositely named the HTC One Max.
Google Play Store web redesign is a compromise of design over function:
After a sneak-peek at Google I/O back in May, the Play Store redesign has hit the web. The new card-like interface, while simply gorgeous beyond words, is a classic case of Google screwing up perfectly working features for reasons best known to itself. Though there are the new additaments like Wishlist, here are my peeves:
>> My Apps no longer shows apps based on the device, and is one giant infinitely scrollable list
>> No pagination either in search results, reviews or app listings.
>> No way to filter or sort app reviews
It's perfectly sensible on part of Google to aim for a consistent interface across its offerings, but to do so at the cost of cutting out features doesn't make any sense at all.
Microsoft and Google's quarterly results miss estimates, Yahoo! reports jump:
Being the most admired companies has its disadvantages, as their quarterly financials are keenly observed by analysts worldwide. Google and Microsoft, despite their solid revenues, failed to cheer markets when their quarterly results came in. With more and more users accessing the Web from mobile devices, Google's core revenue generating business - advertising - has taken a hit due to lower ad rates on phones and tablets when compared to PCs. While Motorola continues to be in loss, Google has pinned its hopes on the subsidiary's upcoming releases to reverse its fortunes.
If sluggish PC sales and a $900 million write-down on Surface tablet's dismal sales marred Microsoft's performance, Yahoo! reported a 46% increase in its profits aided by a dozen product launches (and acquisitions, notably Tumblr) as ex-Googler Marissa Mayer completes her first year in office as the CEO. Ad revenues, much like Google, continued its slide with Yahoo! as well.
How obesity gene makes people fat:
Scientists from the University College London have for the first time unravelled how a gene associated with obesity makes people fat. By studying blood samples from people after meals, they discovered that the FTO gene triggered higher levels of hunger inducing hormone ghrelin in their blood, thus failing to alleviate hunger and making them overeat mouth-watering high calorie foods in particular. Nature is too clever I must say!
In other news:
Google sets up breakfast meet with Sundar Pichai on July 24:
Search giant Google has sent invitations for a July 24 event to be led by Android and Chrome OS chief Sundar Pichai. The company is mum about its plans, but we can hope it would be most likely about Android's next version, rumored to be 4.3 (its system dump is out already), a Nexus 7 refresh and Chrome OS. Whatever be the case, we will know in a few days.
Can Moto X put an end to spec battle?
Motorola is heavily betting on its upcoming Android smartphone Moto X. Dubbed as a phone "designed by you", it is expected to be unveiled on August 1 at an event in New York. But what's surprising is the specs, which are decidedly mid-range by standards (when you compare it along with the likes of Galaxy S4 and HTC One): a dual-core processor, 2GB RAM, 10.5MP rear camera, and a near stock version of Android Jelly Bean (4.2.2). That Motorola has decided to keep this affordable aside, what needs to be underscored is perhaps its decision to focus on user experience over specifications.
HTC One Mini - a design marvel:
Taiwanese handset manufacturer HTC has pulled the wraps off the One's first sibling, the One Mini. Sporting the same design aesthetics (in fact it looks better than the One, with the flash now positioned above the camera sensor in place of the strip - check it out here and here), the 4.3-incher phone is a looker all right. With BoomSound, UltraPixel camera (no Optical Image Stabilization though) and Android experience intact, the One Mini - a misnomer considering the screen size - if priced right should win over more fans for the One product line. Now will Samsung learn a thing or two about design from HTC? Rumours are abound that HTC is also planning a bigger 6-inch phablet, appositely named the HTC One Max.
Google Play Store web redesign is a compromise of design over function:
After a sneak-peek at Google I/O back in May, the Play Store redesign has hit the web. The new card-like interface, while simply gorgeous beyond words, is a classic case of Google screwing up perfectly working features for reasons best known to itself. Though there are the new additaments like Wishlist, here are my peeves:
>> My Apps no longer shows apps based on the device, and is one giant infinitely scrollable list
>> No pagination either in search results, reviews or app listings.
>> No way to filter or sort app reviews
It's perfectly sensible on part of Google to aim for a consistent interface across its offerings, but to do so at the cost of cutting out features doesn't make any sense at all.
Microsoft and Google's quarterly results miss estimates, Yahoo! reports jump:
Being the most admired companies has its disadvantages, as their quarterly financials are keenly observed by analysts worldwide. Google and Microsoft, despite their solid revenues, failed to cheer markets when their quarterly results came in. With more and more users accessing the Web from mobile devices, Google's core revenue generating business - advertising - has taken a hit due to lower ad rates on phones and tablets when compared to PCs. While Motorola continues to be in loss, Google has pinned its hopes on the subsidiary's upcoming releases to reverse its fortunes.
If sluggish PC sales and a $900 million write-down on Surface tablet's dismal sales marred Microsoft's performance, Yahoo! reported a 46% increase in its profits aided by a dozen product launches (and acquisitions, notably Tumblr) as ex-Googler Marissa Mayer completes her first year in office as the CEO. Ad revenues, much like Google, continued its slide with Yahoo! as well.
How obesity gene makes people fat:
Scientists from the University College London have for the first time unravelled how a gene associated with obesity makes people fat. By studying blood samples from people after meals, they discovered that the FTO gene triggered higher levels of hunger inducing hormone ghrelin in their blood, thus failing to alleviate hunger and making them overeat mouth-watering high calorie foods in particular. Nature is too clever I must say!
In other news:
- NASA's Hubble Space Telescope discovers a new moon around Neptune.
- MIT researchers demonstrate X-ray vision using low-power Wi-Fi signals to track moving humans.
- Newly-discovered Pandoravirus the largest virus yet; found to be bigger than most bacteria.
- Microsoft announces massive organizational rejig.
- LTE Advanced (aka True 4G) offers unbelievable download speeds of over 100Mbps.
- Google Maps for iOS now adds support for iPad (finally!).
- Sony pays $40,000 fine in the UK for the 2011 PlayStation hack that compromised millions of user accounts.
- Apple acquires Locationary, HopStop in an attempt to beef up Apple Maps.
- Microsoft confirms Windows 8.1 to RTM next month.
- BlackBerry launches the mid-range Q5 smartphone.
- Samsung reportedly planning a clamshell Android phone.
- Online money transfer company PayPal accidentally credits Delaware man $92 quadrillion; makes him the richest man in the world.
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