GM launches API framework to let developers put wheels on apps

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/gm-launches-api-framework-to-let-developers-put-wheels-on-apps/

So far we've gotten a look at some Siri / OnStar canoodling here at CES 2013, and iHeartRadio flaunted its new GM liaison yesterday. But the automaker wants to let all comers in on the MyLink action, so it's just announced a new developer portal, SDK and forum for would-be in-vehicle app creators. The site will allow apps to be coded and gain approval "in a secure and controlled manner" with a helping hand from GM, so that users can purchase and download apps directly to the vehicle's infotainment system. New programs could join the aforementioned CES debuts, along with the likes of TuneIn, Slacker and The Weather Channel, where the General sees a need for vehicle-appropriate categories like fuel efficiency and driver safety. Or you could just, you know, keep your eyes on the road. Check the PR after the break for more.

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Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Transportation, Internet

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Hands-on with Lego's Mindstorms EV3 kit (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/lego-mindstorms-ev3-hands-on/

Lego's third-generation Mindstorms kit has been redesigned to appeal to both kids desperate to craft and modders looking for even more customizability. With assembly instructions now provided by a 3D animated diagram on an iPad app, this isn't the Lego you'll have remember from childhood. If you'd like to see what it's like in action, head on past the break to watch the video.

Gallery: Lego Mindstorms EV3 Hands-on at CES 2013

Continue reading Hands-on with Lego's Mindstorms EV3 kit (video)

Filed under: Robots

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Dan Greenhaus Perfectly Describes The Dilemma That Almost Every Investor Is Fretting About Right Now

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/dan-greenhaus-perfectly-describes-the-dilemma-that-almost-every-investor-is-fretting-about-right-now-2013-1

Dan Greenhaus at BTIG has a great paragraph in his latest nightly note that almost perfectly describes the mentality of a lot of investors right now:

 In a recent conversation with one of our hedge fund manager clients, we were pressed on our views (which we will expand on tomorrow). As we said then and repeat here, we think the outlook for equities is somewhat good but we remain laser focused on the debt ceiling. As such, a hedged position is probably warranted, something BTIG’s option team notes can be achieved simply through cheap March put spreads on the SPY. However, such a view -- favoring hedges -- is probably part of the reason Goldman Sachs noted 88% of hedge funds underperformed the S&P 500 in 2012. But with the President set to nominate Jack Lew to Treasury Secretary (Republicans really don’t want him) and with the looming debt ceiling standoff, we just wouldn’t feel comfortable with another position, even as the argument for market participants getting more comfortable with Washington dysfunction grows with each successive standoff.

Bingo. Everyone wants to be bullish, but there's just this one problem...

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AT&T's $50 Android Smartphone Has a 12.6-megapixel Camera, Doesn't Seem That Terrible

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5973805/atts-50-android-smartphone-has-a-126+megapixel-camera

When I think of Pantech, I don't have too many fond memories. But the Android 4.0-based Discover might change that. Available starting January 11 from AT&T for $50, the Discover is an 4G LTE smartphone with a 4.8-inch HD display (1280x720) and a crazy 12.6-megapixel camera that shoots full HD video at 30fps.

It also comes with NFC and a pair of 3D surround sound speakers. It's preloaded with AT&T's DriveMode app, which is supposed to help curb your texting habit while driving. Users can set up certain parameters, like turning on an auto-reply feature when cruising over 25MPH—"busy driving, can't respond."

Considering it comes with 16GB of onboard memory, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, Bluetooth 4.0, DLNA, microSD, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, GPS—and a funky design that's super-neat looking—it's not bad for $50. [AT&T]

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Eat It, Galaxy Note. Huwawei's New Phone Has the World's Largest Screen (Updated: Hands On)

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5973876/huaweis-ascend-mate-is-a-61+inch-mammoth-that-eats-phablets-for-breakfast

Oh man, here we go. Phablets are no longer no longer constrained to limits of being under half a foot. Huawei's new Ascend Mate is an unprecedented 6.1-inches. It's been around before, but now it's official, and has the largest screen of any smartphone in the world. To date anyway. Cower in fear beneath its all-encompassing shadow.

Aside from its ludicrous 6.1-inch, 361 ppi display, the Ascend Mate has a 4,050mAh battery and a 1.5GHz HiSilicon K3V3 quad-core chip, both of which it'll need to handle that wild screen that makes up 73 percent of the whole device. It runs Android Jellybean and is also functional even if you're wearing gloves, has built-in augmented reality navigation capability, and split-screen multi-tasking. In hopes of making calling more possible without holding the thing up to your face, the Mate has dual microphones, one on each end, to facilitate hands-free talking whenever possible.

Huawei's positioning the device to replace your laptop, eReader, phone, and tablet, billing it as an all-in-on machine. It'll be available in China starting late this month, and will roll out to "other markets" in March. Huawei is currently in talks with US carriers, and there's yet to be a price point for sale in the US. So far, markets seem to be agreeing that bigger is better, and if there's a limit, the Ascend Mate could be the one to find it.

Hands on:

It's impossible to understate how honkin' huge this thing is, as far as phones are concerned. It's pretty easily held in a moderately-size male hand, but its size just makes things look kind of weird. It's definitely a two-handed device; you can't hope to touch more than half the screen if you're just using the thumb of your holding hand. The "one-hand UI design" helps to make things a little more possible, but there's still a lot of real-estate you just can't hit. All in all, it feels nice, solid, but man, it's just so ludicrously huge to even think of as a phone.

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