Tag Archives: smartphones

The Moscow Times reports: The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church has said that humans’ dependence on modern technology will result in the coming of the Antichrist. In an interview with Russian state media, Patriarch Kirill explained he does not entirely oppose gadgets, but warned against “falling into slavery” to smartphones. “Control from a single point is a harbinger of …

The Verge reports: Apple has announced its next generation of iPhones, and one of them is by far the biggest iPhone yet. The two new models are called the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. They look almost identical to their predecessor, but there are two immediate differences: for one, they’re both available in gold, unlike last year; and more …

Gizmodo reports: For modern smartphone owners, it’s a common enough of an occurrence. You’re just sitting there, talking about whatever, when suddenly you say something that triggers the digital assistant on your phone. Now normally, you’d probably get annoyed for a second, tap a button to dismiss the interruption, and then continue with whatever you were doing. But if you’re, …

Fallout from the Fitbit story: Secretary of Defense James Mattis is actively considering banning US military and civilian personnel from bringing their personal cell phones into the Pentagon, the world’s largest office building, according to three US defense officials familiar with an ongoing review of the issue. The officials told CNN that while the issue is under review and a …

Ars Technica reports: In a discovery that underscores the growing arms race among competing malware developers, researchers have uncovered a new Android spying platform that includes location-based audio recording and other features that have never been seen in the wild before. According to a report published Tuesday by antivirus provider Kaspersky Lab, “Skygofree” is most likely an offensive security product …

Mashable reports: Blink and you might just miss this easter egg, but it’s a gem. Samsung’s latest ad follows an avid iPhone user who eventually decides to switch sides after ten years. The minute-long ad manages to majorly throw shade at the iPhone, highlighting all the criticisms it’s faced over the years: its lack of stylus, non-waterproof phones, and of …

After decades of decline mostly attributed to safer vehicles and stiffer DUI penalties, traffic deaths in the US have spiked by 14.4% over the last two years. The government has yet to formally blame the rise on smartphone use, but others are convinced. Bloomberg reports: There are three big clues, and they don’t rest along the highway. One, as you …

This isn’t exactly news that most of us here can use, but the technology is interesting. CNN reports: “Fertility is a big problem. Men are embarrassed to go to their urologist for infertility testing,” said Dr. Hadi Shafiee, assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, who led the study. “This is going to be …

The Financial Times reports: China’s vibrant gay dating scene is attracting millions of dollars in investment, including from at least one state-controlled media group, even as embarrassed official censors curb the portrayal of openly homosexual characters on television and in other media. With Chinese men signing up en masse for gay dating apps, the biggest such service — Blued (pronounced …

TIME reports: Google on Tuesday unveiled two new smartphones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, during an event in San Francisco. The Pixel will have a 5-inch screen, while the larger model will include a 5.5-inch display. The Pixel is available for preorder immediately. The lineup starts at $649, or $27 per month. Verizon is the exclusive carrier partner in the …

Via Reuters: Shares in Japan’s Nintendo Co Ltd soared again on Monday, bringing market-value gains to $7.5 billion in just two days as investors cheered the runaway success of Pokemon GO – its first long-awaited venture in mobile gaming. The game, which marries a classic 20-year old franchise with augmented reality, allows players to walk around real-life neighborhoods while seeking …

A smartphone app just launched in Iran allows the user to alert others if the morality policy are nearby. France 24 reports: In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the morality police, a unit of the National Police, are charged with insuring that Iranian citizens comply with so-called Islamic law. For example, morality officers have to make sure that women wear …

JMG reader Andrea points us to a just-launched game for smartphones: Fight Kim, Defeat Kim, Condemn Her. Battle against bigotry and achieve equality for all. Join us in a battle for the ages. On one side of this virtual battle field littered with shredded paper and sadness, festers Kim – an agent of civil discrimination. On the other side, the …

According to multiple tech sites, Apple will announce the release of the iPhone 7 on September 9th. There’s still debate on whether Apple’s 2015 device will be called the iPhone 7 or iPhone 6s — most people have their money on the latter, following Apple’s usual device patterns. The ‘S’ updates are more about what’s inside the device than outside, …

Apple has given Siri new instructions: Siri is as witty as she is intelligent. The voice that lives inside your iPhone will now subtly correct your improper use of “Bruce” when you ask about Caitlyn Jenner. Apple’s virtual assistant has been updated to make sure it won’t misuse Jenner’s correct name and gender when asked for more information on the …

Via the Business Times: These days, everything we own is becoming “smart” – from the smart watch, smart TV, and smart fridge, to the smart fitness tracker and smart glasses – so it should come as no surprise that now smart wearable technology is coming to sex toys too. Meet Lovely, a penis ring now on Indiegogo that does way …

Via Bloomberg: Grindr LLC is looking for more than just a hookup: The application for gay men is seeking a buyer. Grindr, based in Los Angeles, has hired Raine Group LLC to advise it on a possible sale, people familiar with the matter said. The sale process is early and no deal is assured, said the people, who asked not …

Via Science Daily: A team of researchers, led by Samuel K. Sia, associate professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia Engineering, has developed a low-cost smartphone accessory that can perform a point-of-care test that simultaneously detects three infectious disease markers from a finger prick of blood in just 15 minutes. The device replicates, for the first time, all mechanical, optical, and …

Via Engadget: Someone, somewhere thought it was a good idea for HTC to make its own hip hop music video. Whoever approved the project might be regretting that decision right now, but never mind — at least we get a hilariously cringeworthy tune to stick on repeat for the rest of the day. If you’re curious, the man dissing the …

Several states are looking into digitizing driver’s licenses for display on smartphones and Delaware wants to be the first to implement the system. Via the Washington Post: The Delaware legislature passed a bill last week asking the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles to “study and consider issuing” digital driver’s licenses that could replace the traditional plastic ones. This bill notes …