Google Fit for Android is ready to compile all of your fitness stats

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/28/google-fit-for-android-is-ready-to-compile-all-of-your-fitness-s/

We first heard about Mountain View's activity-tracking plans back at I/O, and now the Android faithful and get their hands on the goods. The Google Fit app, the company's answer to Apple Health, is now available for download, compiling all of those collected fitness stats in the same spot. By leveraging your phone's sensors, the software monitors walking, running and cycling activity, allowing you to set specific goals and benefit from some friendly advice. Fit also plays nice with third-party apps and devices -- and of course, Android Wear gadgets -- so that you can get an overall view of your progress from one place. Strava, Withings, Runtastic, Runkeeper and Noom Coach were specifically mentioned in the announcement. What's more, the initiative can be accessed on the web should the need arise (once you've logged in on your phone). Looking to get moving? You'll need a handset running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or above, but if you meet the requirement, the app is available for download at Google Play.

Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google

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Via: The Next Web

Source: Google Play, Android Official Blog

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Satellite Dishes Can Turn Toxic Waste From Fracking Into Clean Water

Source: http://gizmodo.com/satellite-dishes-can-turn-toxic-waste-from-fracking-int-1651380272

In the past few years, earthquakes in Oklahoma have been on the mysterious rise—the state has had more earthquakes than even California. Why? One big fat finger has been pointed at fracking, in which toxic wastewater is injected into wells that can leak and lubricate faults. We clearly need a better solution for this wastewater, and that solution may involve satellite dishes .

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A Double-Duty Flippable Mug Holds Coffee Or Espresso

Source: http://gizmodo.com/a-double-duty-flippable-mug-holds-coffee-or-espresso-1651388318

If your office doesn't pay for a cleaning service, and every employee is left to wash their own dishes, you'll want to maximize every cup, plate, and spoon you bring to work. So when it comes to caffeine you might want to swap your current mug for this $14 double-duty alternative that holds 5.5 ounces of coffee, or 1.5 ounces of espresso when flipped upside-down.

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Tiny tethered drone gives soldiers a view of the dangers ahead

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/27/cyphy-works-pocket-flyer-drone/

Drones already give troops valuable data about enemies and devastated areas, but the existing vehicles have their limits; big aerial drones can't see inside buildings, and their ground-based counterparts can't get over rough terrain. Well, CyPhy Works might just have a reached a happy balance between those two extremes. It recently signed a deal with the US Air Force to produce the Extreme Access Pocket Flyer, a very tiny UAV (it weighs just 2.8oz) that sends HD video to soldiers for up to two hours. The key to its portability is a 250-foot microfilament tether that delivers both power and data -- bulkier gear like batteries will stay with the soldier. This has the upshot of adding reliability and security, since there's no wireless signal subject to interference or jamming.

The military may be calling dibs on the Pocket Flyer, but combat recon (such as special forces and tunnel surveillance) is only part of the story. CyPhy notes that the focus will be on search and rescue; the drone should help find people in collapsed buildings and other situations where it'd be too dangerous to go in blind. While there's no firm timetable for when this pint-sized machine will be ready, it's far enough into development that you could see it enter service relatively quickly.

Filed under: Robots

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Via: IEEE Spectrum, Geek

Source: CyPhy Works

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App-controlled coffeemaker can automatically mix your perfect blend

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/27/bruvelo-app-controlled-coffeemaker/

You won't even bother denying it: you're somewhat of a coffee snob and have a particular bean-to-water ratio of choice. This new coffeemaker called Bruvelo promises to make it a lot faster to mix your perfect cup -- you don't even have to do anything other than to press a few buttons in an app. According to its Kickstarter page, Bruvelo can filter water, weigh and grind beans, dispense the right amount of water and ground coffee, as well as maintain the brew's temperature at 199 degrees Fahrenheit. (Yes, you can use any bean you want -- it's not going to limit your choices like that one popular high-tech coffee machine.) You merely have to choose among the preconfigured "flavor profiles" (Delicate, Balanced or Robust) or program your own within the app: Bruvelo then receives your commands via WiFi and does the actual work for you. You can get this app-controlled coffeemaker by June 2015 at the earliest if you pledge $300 now, though its campaign must reach its $150,000 goal for production to begin.

Filed under: Household, Mobile

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Source: Kickstarter, Bruvelo

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