Google Wallet Arrives on iOS

Attention all iPhoners: Google Wallet has finally arrived for you. Money transfers to friends, loyalty card tracking, and checking out nearby shopping offers, are now here for you. Tap-to-pay is not available, because iOS devices don't have NFC capability. As far as security goes, you can lock up the app with a PIN, and you can disable the app remotely through Google's website. The app is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch running at least iOS 6.0.

The Faster Way to Get iOS 7's public release

So, you and the rest of the planet are trying to download iOS 7 today. Most of Apple's data center technicians, are probably in a panic room hundreds of feet locked away, as they see their servers crash while millions of people try and download the newest version of the second most popular mobile operating system on Earth. Well, I have a few steps that can dramatically lower your stress level for when you download iOS 7.

 

The Alternative Guide to Downloading iOS 7:

1. Back up your device. When I downloaded iOS 6 a few months ago on launch day, it wiped my phone, and I had no backup. Be sure to protect your self.


2. Second, go to iosdownload.net/?iosday and download the correct version of iOS 7 for your phone.


3. Once the download is complete, go to iTunes and pull up your iPhone. Option click on Check for Updates, and then select the file that you just downloaded (it should end in .ipsw).


4. It will take a few minutes to download, but go do some homework or play on your Xbox while you are waiting.


5. That's all, say hello to your brand new install of iOS 7!

Twitter is finally going public

Twitter has announced today on the company Twitter account that it has filed with the SEC to go public. the company is worth about $10 billion and the IPO will be a fresh source of cash for the company.

Twitter filed with the SEC "confidentially," which is a new thing. When President Obama signed the JOBS Act, he was allowing companies with under a billion dollars in revenue to go public without having to release the amount of financial information that a larger company would have to reveal. So, the public won't have a huge look into Twitter's financials right away.

Twitter will be releasing its financials about three weeks before they go public, but until then, the company won't be offering the inside look that everyone is excited to see. Also, Twitter supposedly had $350 million in revenue for 2012. According to Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs will be underwriting the IPO.

Stay tuned for more details.

We’ve confidentially submitted an S-1 to the SEC for a planned IPO. This Tweet does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale.

— Twitter (@twitter) September 12, 2013

 

Ingress

Ingress transforms the real world into the landscape for a global game of mystery, and competition. Basically, you can use post offices, sculptures, or libraries to create "portals" on your smartphone and compete in a portal battle with friends! The app was created by Niantic Labs which also created a free Android app called "Field Trip." On November 8th, 2012 the app was created. Ingress is a free app that only works on the Android Platform (Google Play Store). Recently it has been ported to work for iOS devices (Jailbroken or non-jailbroken). Click here to see more info and how to get the iOS port. Since the app is now in closed-beta, you cannot just go to the Play Store and download it. Instead, you have to go to ingress.com and request an invite. Another way to get the app is to ask someone with Ingress to request you. Note: You do need a Google Account and you need to give Ingress your email to be requested. If  Niantic Labs except your request, then you are in the world of ingress!

VERY Basic Ingress Idea (The game is very complex and will take hours to explain): Game play consist of making "portals" at real life bases like art museums, etc. and linking them together to create virtual triangles. For a more in-depth understanding and tutorial of the game, click --> "How to Play Ingress" (video by Tinkernut).  "Our world is at steak, and you must pick a side." Check it out on ingress.com

NFT: September 4, 2013

Enjoy the top tech news from today below:

Image:	Title:	Author:
	It Turns Out Qualcomm Is Making a Smartwatch, Too	Ina Fried from AllThingsD
	Uber Inks Its First Sports Deal, Partners With The NFL To Promote Safe Rides For Pro Footballers	Ingrid Lunden from TechCrunch
	Apple ups focus on China with separate iPhone media event in Beijing on September 11	Kaylene Hong from The Next Web
	HDMI 2.0 officially announced	Richard Lawler from Engadget
	Sony's QX Smart Lens attaches an entire camera to your smartphone	Vlad Savov from The Verge
	Nokia issues Samsung a KitKat death threat on Twitter	Tom Warren from The Verge

Quick Tip: Replace iPhone signal bars with numbers

Here is a quick tip on how to change your signal bars (which could be found in the upper left hand corner of the phone) to numbers (actually decibels). At the end I will explain what the numbers mean.

*No Jailbreak Required!*

Works for iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPhone 5

How to change bars to numbers:

1) Open Phone app

2) Dial the following number exactly (need to enter stars and pounds): *3001#12345#*. Press call

3) You will now be in Field Test mode. In the upper left corner their should be numbers instead of bars. If not tap the bars to enable the numbers. Don't press home or turn off phone yet!

*Continue if you want it to be permanent. If you don't want it to be press home. You can remove it if you continue on, but their is a different way to do that.*

4) Hold down power button (still on the Field Test) until you see 'slide to turn power off' with red arrow.

5) Don't actually slide to turn the power off! Instead, hold down the home button until the Field Test closes and you return home.

6) That's all! Hope it works for you!

The meaning behind the negative numbers: Technically, it is 'the logarithmic unit used to express the ratio between two values of a physical quantity (usually measured in units of power or intensity)'. Basically, it measures the iPhones signal power. All you need to know is the lower the negative number is, the stronger signal strength you have. The higher negative number, the weaker signal strength you have.

NFT: September 3, 2013

Enjoy the top tech news from today below:

Image:	Title:	Author:
	Kodak bankruptcy likely comes to end Tuesday	Matthew Daneman from USA Today
	Spotify Connect lets you control and play music from any device	Dante D'Orazio from The Verge
	Android KitKat: the story behind a delicious partnership	Nilay Patel from The Verge
	Microsoft Gets Nokia Units, and Leader	Nick Wingfield from NY Times
	Uber Makes 3 Big Hires, Nabs Klout's Former COO Plus Executives From Facebook And Google	Alyson Shontell from Business Insider
	Amazon Launches A Home Automation Store Featuring Smart Locks, Sensors, Thermostats & More	Sarah Perez from TechCrunch

Leap Motion: The Future of the Mouse

Since launching in July of 2013, Leap Motion has achieved 1 million app downloads from its Airspace Store. What exactly is Leap Motion? Well, Leap Motion is a motion sensing mouse used for human to computer interaction. That's right, you can now use your hands to control your computer. The Leap Motion comes with the controller, a USB cable to connect to your computer, and an information guide. In total it cost about $80, and it can be purchased on the web site (leapmotion.com) or possibly Best Buy. Whats amazing is that the Leap Motion does not take over your mouse/trackpad/keyboard it actually works with them without needing any special cables. This new device can be used with Google Applications, such as Google Earth. Zoom in to various locations with your fingers, spin to various locations, without the need of a mouse. Once purchased you will be able to enjoy a whole new world of apps.  In conclusion the Leap Motion can do anything from browsing the web, painting and sculpting objects, playing the air guitar, and shooting bad guys with your fingers. Could this be the future of the mouse?

NFT: August 21,2013

Enjoy the top tech news from today below:

Image:	Title:	Author:
	Microsoft offers classrooms free Surface RT tablets with ad-free Bing for Schools	Tom Warren from The Verge
	Netflix Introduces ‘My List,’ A Personalized Instant Queue For Users All Over The World	Ryan Lawler from TechCrunch
	What You Need to Know on New Details of NSA Spying	Jennifer Valentino-Devries and Sibohan Gorman from WSJ
	Disney’s ESPN Holds Preliminary Talks for Web-Based TV	Christopher Palmeri and Andy Fixmer from Bloomberg
	Embedded Posts Now Available to Everyone	Dave Capra from Facebook
	Motorola settles trademark dispute with Xoom Corp, will phase out tablet's name	Zachary Lutz from Engadget

New HTC Handset "Zara" images and specs leaked before Q4 release

It looks like another phone will be joining the possible HTC One Max for launch this year, the HTC Zara. According to a leaked photo and device specs from @evleaks that were sent out on Monday night, the phone will be launching soon. The handset comes with a plastic case, HTC BoomSound, a 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor, a 4.5-inch qHD display, an 8-megapixel camera, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, a microSD slot, a 2,200 mAh battery and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean paired with HTC’s Sense 5.5 software. The Zara will possibly be coming out in the fourth quarter of this year.

 

NFT: August 20, 2013

Enjoy the top tech news from today below:

Image:	Title:	Author:
	TiVo announces Roamio DVR line: a four-tuner cord-cutting dream for $199	Nilay Patel from The Verge
	Vine — Twitter’s “Little Video App That Could” — Continues to Grow	Mike Isaac from AllThingsD
	Instagram to App Developers: Hands Off Our Brand, Y’All	Mike Isaac from AllThingsD
	Google’s Updated YouTube App With In-App Multitasking Launches On iOS	Federic Lardinois from TechCrunch
	Email insecurity fears take out legal discussion site Groklaw	David Meyer from GigaOm
	iTunes Radio to Debut in September With McDonald's, Nissan, P&G, Pepsi	John McDermott from AdAge

Verizon Bringing Service to 36 NYC subway Stations

It doesn't matter that Verizon has the best 4G network when you are in the subway and have no service. Verizon is joining rival cell carriers AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile by inking a deal with Transit Wireless to bring 3G and LTE voice and data to 36 subway stations later in the year. These stations already have wireless service, it's just a matter of Verizon adding its own hardware. The network will begin to rollout service in the next few weeks in Chelsea and midtown in Manhattan.

Big Red is also participating in phase two of Transit's coverage project. This phase brings coverage to 40 new stations, including Grand Central, Herald Square, and Bryant Park, in early 2014.

Google Maps for iOS gets real-time incident reporting from Waze

Google has announced today on the Google Maps blog that it will be integrating real-time accident data from Waze into Google Maps for iOS. The new feature means that when Wazers report incidents, the information will get passed along to Google Maps users.

The features will ivelimited to users in certain locations, including: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Switzerland, UK and the US. Google is also integrating Google search into Waze's iOS and Android apps. As well, the Waze Map Editor now has access to Google Street View and satellite imagery.

NFT: August 19, 2013

Enjoy the top tech news from today below:

Image:	Title:	Author:
	Microsoft launches Skype for Outlook.com in the US, the UK, Germany, France, Canada, and Brazil	Emil Protalinski from The Next Web
	White House Taps McAfee CTO for Cybersecurity Post	Danny Yadron from WSJ Digits
	GoDaddy Acquires Merchant “Finder” Startup Locu for $70 Million	Kara Swisher from AllThingsD
	Samsung Galaxy Mega hitting AT&T, Sprint and US Cellular this month	Brian Heater from Engadget
	Zillow Fills Out NYC Listings With $50M StreetEasy Acquisition, Plans Follow-On Offering Of 2.5M Shares For $228M	Ingrid Lunden from TechCrunch
	Key Nike FuelBand developer and fitness expert Jay Blahnik confirmed to join Apple, likely working on iWatch	Mark Gurman from 9to5Mac

Germany adds some rules for German Bitcoin usage

At this point, governments have been pretty clear about their opinion of Bitcoin; saying either "That's cool," or "Get it away from me." Germany has just updated its policy on Bitcoin. The country will recognize Bitcoin as private money that will remain tax-free for personal uses. You only have to pay taxes for business transactions.

HTC One Mini coming to AT&T for $100 with contract

The 4.3 inch HTC One Mini is finally becoming available to AT&T customers. The phone will be available next week, for $100 on a contract. The device has a 720p display, 4MP UltraPixel camera, runs on Android 4.2, 1,800mAh battery and 1.4GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400 SoC with a gigabyte RAM.

Beats looking to drop HTC

Beats Electronics, the creator of the popular Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, is apparently looking to end its partnership with Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer HTC, The Wall Street Journal is reporting.


HTC bought a 51% stake in Beats for about $309 million in 2011, but it sold back half of it in 2012. Beats wants to get HTC's share of the company back, and get a new investor.

This Samsung Galaxy Gear Concept Video is Awesome

There has been a lot of hype in the past few days about Samsung's possible upcoming smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear. Digital firm T3 has created a really cool concept video of the device. Check it out below.

GOOGLE IS DOWN

All of Google' services are currently down.

Update 1 (August 16 6:57pm): Google is currently up from the East Coast, as far as I can tell.

Update 2 (August 16 7:01pm): Google appears to be back up for most people. Check out below for some funny tweets about the outage.

Remember that two minutes when Google was down?

— Ed Bott (@edbott) August 16, 2013

 

We’re canceling the apocalypse. As soon as http://t.co/ct7qzncVWU comes back.

— Dan Benjamin (@danbenjamin) August 16, 2013

Google went down because it was told it could no longer have 20% time and didn't like it

— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) August 16, 2013

Update 3 (August 16 7:19pm): Google appears to be up in the NYC area

Update 4 (August 16 7:56pm): YouTube is online

Update 5 (August 16 8:09pm): Google has updated its App Status page with virtually the same report for each of its products. See below for a screenshot.

NFT: August 16, 2013

Enjoy the top tech news from today below:

Image:	Title:	Author:
	NSA broke privacy rules thousands of times per year, audit finds	Barton Gellman from The Washington Post
	Canonical beats Pebble as the biggest crowdfunding campaign ever, hitting $10.3m for the Ubuntu Edge	Nick Summers from The Next Web
	HTC One finally coming to Verizon on August 22nd	Nathan Ingraham from The Verge
	Samsung Said to Unveil Wristwatch-Like Smartphone Next Month	Jungah Lee from Bloomberg
	AT&T to stock Moto X on August 23rd, offer in-store look at Moto Maker possibilities	Darren Murph from Engadget
	Moto X available from AT&T starting August 23rd	Chris Welch from The Verge