Micromax Splash, midrange IP67-certified smartphone?

Micromax, an Indian consumer electronics company, has been rumored to be working on Splash — a water- and dust-proof mid-range smartphone.

Source: @MMXNewscaster

Source: @MMXNewscaster

According to the tweet of the source, Splash will be the company’s first IP67-certified smartphone. It can go up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Other than that, nothing else has been revealed; but the photo shows a 5.0-megapixel rear camera with a single flash beside it.

Inspecting the photo closely, we could see blue-colored notification bar icons suggesting an Android Jelly Bean OS (since KitKat implements a white hue). The build looks very much like it belongs in a mid-range category with its smooth curves all around, and it’s a bit thick looking from the side.

Pricing and availability are still unknown as of the moment, but it might not take long since it has already passed the IP67 certification. If this pushes through, we will be seeing smartphones with Sony-like protection against external elements at a more affordable price point.

{via} {source}

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Never forget your phone or wallet with this car gadget

We’ve all experienced rushing to work one morning only to find out that you left something important back at home. This is why Bringrr was made — a car gadget that reminds you of the things you’re missing right before you leave.

Powered by Bluetooth, Bringrr connects to the car’s cigarette lighter slot and scans for other Bluetooth-enabled devices when you get to your car. This way, you make sure you never leave your phone;  but the scanner isn’t only limited to devices with wireless connection. There are small BringTags available that have Bluetooth signals which are traceable by Bringrr. These circular tags can be attached to your wallet, books, your backpack, etc.

Always forgetting your cat at home? Bringrr might solve this problem.

Always forgetting your cat at home? Bringrr might solve this problem.

It also works with Google Glass using its heads up display that tells you what you’re currently missing upon approaching the car. Unfortunately Bringrr requires a car to function, but the team was reported to be working on making the gadget cater to more people.

Bringrr will retail around US$29 (Php1,292) when it’s available for purchase, while BringTags were said to be around US$19 (Php846).

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7 must-have apps for Manila’s Traffic Armageddon

ABS-CBN has reported that yesterday might be the beginning of the so-called ‘Traffic Armageddon’ in Manila due to the construction of the Skyway 3 project and the NAIAEx phase 2 project. It was foreseen that traffic volume in EDSA would increase by more than half, so it’s inevitable that we’ll get stuck in traffic. Here are 7 free must-have apps that you should have to prepare for this fiasco!

1. Tour Events – Available in iOS

Source: appcrawlr.com

Source: appcrawlr.com

For those who like sleeping while commuting (and occasionally oversleeping and going past your stop), this is the perfect app. After setting your destination, it uses your GPS to know where you are and wakes you up, most likely through your headphones, when your stop is approaching.

That’s not all, it can also send a text message to your contacts when you’re near your destination. For example it can send a message to your partner saying, “Honey I’m almost home. Make me a sandwich.” Pretty neat, eh?

2. Winobi – Available in iOS and Android

Source: androidpit.com

Source: androidpit.com

Winobi is a game for people who want to pass the time and tease their brain while suck in traffic. The app has a bunch of puzzle games to test your math, association, and perception skills.

You can also invite your friends and family to join in the fun if you’re connected online to challenge them and beat their high scores. Basically, it makes use of the time you spend in traffic and sharpens your brain at the same time!

3. Vector – Available in iOS and Android

Source: celldekho.com

Source: celldekho.com

Don’t want to think a lot and just play purely for fun? Do you like parkour? Then Vector is the game for you! It is a side-scrolling, arcade-style game with a free-runner as your main character. Run, vault, slide, and climb like a ninja and avoid obstacles so that Big Brother doesn’t catch up to you.

Vector is a really simple game, navigated by just swiping the screen of your smartphone. It’s easy and interesting enough to accompany you during your whole duration in EDSA!

4. Waze – Available in iOS, Android, Windows, and BlackBerry

A screenshot from my phone.

A screenshot from my phone.

I’m sure most of you have heard of Waze. It is a navigation app that informs you of traffic and other road conditions in real time. I have been personally using Waze for quite a while now and I could say that it has helped me more than once to find a shorter route, avoid traffic, and watch out for cops!

Hopefully, it proves as useful for you as it did for me during this Traffic Armageddon.

5. Grab Taxi – Available in iOS, Android, and Windows

Source: grabtaxi.com

Source: grabtaxi.com

Grab Taxi is another app that’s been gaining popularity here in the Philippines. It does what its name suggests — the app notifies the taxi (that also uses this app) nearest you and it will show your location so the taxi can fetch you.

Partner this with Waze, and there’s a high chance that you’ll be in a faster route, while enjoying the comforts of a taxi. Of course, you’ll need to shell out more dough if you opt to take a cab home rather than a van or jeepney.

6. Yank – iOS

Source: itunes.apple.com

Source: itunes.apple.com

This has been a new discovery of mine and I think a lot of people could really make use of this app. What Yank does is basically to alert people (friends, family, and even emergency personnel) for an emergency. Simply yank the headphones out of your mobile device and a text or email will be sent to them together with your GPS location, informing them that you might be in danger.

A lot of crime has happened in the past involving public transportations on the road, and this app could definitely come in handy when you’re in traffic and something goes wrong. In addition, Yank could also be used when you’re jogging, hiking, biking, and a lot more to ensure your safety.

7. Twitter – Available in iOS, Android, Windows, and BlackBerry

Source: gmanetwork.com

Source: gmanetwork.com

Yes, I’ve included Twitter in this list. Who doesn’t want to tweet their frustrations when they’ve been in the same area for over 30 minutes already? Venting out could help you release tension and a bit of stress.

Also, during this time, you can stalk your favorite celebrities. Who knows, they might be in the same traffic as you are, like Andi Manzano here!

8. Mirror – Available in iOS and Android

Source: gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com

Source: gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com

This is just a bonus app for the ladies out there. If you girls are bored out of your wits in traffic, there are probably few things that come to mind, and one of those is to take a traffic #selfie! The Mirror app makes sure that you’re ready to snap those photos away and upload them to either Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or all of them at the same time!

Got more apps you want to share to other readers? The comment box is ready!

The post 7 must-have apps for Manila’s Traffic Armageddon appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Rumored Sony Xperia Z2 photos and release date

Following the release of the Xperia Z last January 2013 at CES and the Xperia Z1 last September 2013 at IFA, rumors are rushing in for yet another flagship phone from Sony in the form of the Xperia Z2 (or Sony D6503 codenamed ‘Sirius’).

Here are a couple of images that appeared on the Internet regarding the nearing arrival of the Z2.

Black and white variants of the Sony Xperia Z2.

Black and white variants of the Sony Xperia Z2.

Xperia Z2 (left and middle) against Xperia Z. Take note that the middle device is just the display panel and not the whole handset.

Xperia Z2 (left and middle) against Xperia Z (right). Take note that the middle device is just the display panel and not the whole handset.

As you can see, the Z2 looks bigger than its predecessors. The new flagship phone was said to have a display size of 5.2 inches, while the previous models maxed out at 5 inches. Reports from one of the sources also point out stereo speakers at the bottom of the device, a shutter key, and thinner horizontal bezels.

In terms of availability, the source also predicts the Z2 to arrive in April this year. If it proves to be true, then we’ll be sure to hear announcements on Mobile World Congress this coming end of February.

Stay tuned!

{via} {source}

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Google buys SlickLogin, uses sound waves instead of passwords

There have been many cases of hacking Internet sites due to stolen passwords. What if your way of securely getting inside is by using unique sound waves? This is what SlickLogin is about, and they have just been bought by Google.

Source: SlickLogin

Source: SlickLogin

Presented around September last year, SlickLogin basically adds a new layer of protection for websites (like those related to banking) before successfully logging in to specific accounts.

What it does is it makes the website play a unique and inaudible sound through the computer speakers which the nearby smartphone picks up through its microphone. An app processes the generated sound and sends a signal back to the computer which verifies if the user is indeed authorized to log in.

Google is still keeping silent as to the amount SlickLogin was bought; and as of today, only the latter has announced this acquisition. There’s still no final date on its launch but we’ll keep you updated.

Would you feel safer logging in using this new security measure? Let us know your thoughts on the comment box below.

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